Page 78 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“The doctor prescribed ibuprofen,” Dawn corrected firmly, shaking the bottle slightly as if to emphasize her point. “It’s not like the opioids mom took, Wade. It’s an NSAID — it reduces inflammation, and it’s non-addictive. It’s safe, and it will help with the swelling inside, not just the pain.”
Wade eyed the bottle warily but saw the resolve in Dawn’s posture. Resigned, he finally acquiesced. He reached out and took the bottle.
“Fine,” Wade said through gritted teeth. “If it will make you stop lording over me like a prison guard.”
“I’m not stupid, Wade, and I know when you’re in pain,” Dawn pointed out. “You’re not as good at hiding it as you think you are.”
Dawn watched as Wade took two of the pills and handed her the bottle.
“Open up,” Dawn ordered once Wade had drunk them down.
“Are you kidding me?” Wade looked at her in disbelief. “I’m not eight. I took the darn pills.”
“Humor me then,” Dawn told him. “Oh, and open your fist.”
“Good grief!” Wade grumbled, opening his fist and mouth. “Satisfied.”
“Yes.” Dawn nodded. “But know that I’m going to check the sofa and any hiding places,” she teased. “You forget, I know all your tricks.”
“I promise I took the tablets,” Wade said, pinching his eyes shut. “I think I’m going to try to get some sleep again.”
He stood and wobbled. Dawn reached out to grab him. “Whoa there.”
“I’m fine, I just stood up too fast,” Wade told her.
“Clearly, you’re not fine,” Dawn pointed out worriedly. “And I’m guessing you should’ve stayed at the clinic overnight for observation.”
“Just a formality,” Wade waved it off as Dawn helped him to bed. “I’m better off here.”
“Okay, but I’m going to take your key card so I can come back and check on you,” Dawn told him.
Wade nodded. “Sure.”
Dawn helped him lie down and pulled the covers over him, sitting beside him. “I’m worried about you, Wade.” Her voice was soft.
“I’m okay,” Wade tried to assure her. “I just need some rest.”
Dawn kissed his brow and smoothed his hair. “You do that, and I’ll come check on you in an hour.”
Wade nodded and drifted off to sleep. Dawn watched him for a few seconds before gently kissing his brow once again. She pulled the drapes closed and tiptoed from the bedroom, leaving Wade’s bedroom door slightly ajar before retrieving herjournal from the table. Dawn stood chewing her bottom lip in contemplation.
“Now what?” Dawn mumbled. “Wade needs to rest as well.”
Her eyes fell on the folders on Wade’s table. They were his crew members’ folders with their names on each folder. The one that caught her eyes was the crew member she’d recently been stranded with, Ben. Dawn knocked on Ben’s door, but there was no answer. She wondered if he was asleep and decided to go to the reception and leave a message for him as Dawn didn’t want to wake him.
When the elevator dinged and she stepped out, the first thing that caught her attention was the big black dog that Donna, who was on front desk duty, was walking around on a leash.
“Hicks!” Dawn called without thinking.
“Hicks, no!” Donna tried to command.
As soon as Hicks saw Dawn, he yanked himself loose from Donna’s grip with such force that she stumbled backward. Hicks flew at Dawn, barking excitedly before pouncing when he reached her. Dawn’s slight build was no match for a full-grown cane corso, and she was knocked backward. Before she hit the floor, a pair of strong arms grabbed her.
“Whoa!” Ben’s voice reverberated in her ear. “Sit!” he told the over-excited Hicks, and the big dog instantly sat watching them curiously.
Ben let Dawn go, and she straightened. “Thank you, Ben.”
“Sure,” Ben said, bending down and scooping up her journal that had hit the floor. “Here you go.”
