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Does he know I heard his vow before I slipped into the darkness? Can he sense what it’s done to my rapidly beating heart?
“Declan’s covering for me,” he says.
I duck my chin to shield my reaction to him skipping work for me. But dammit, that’s unexpectedly thoughtful.
“The scrapes and bruises should heal in a week,” Lidia says. “I don’t think we need to be concerned about a concussion, though it is my job as a nurse to advise you to get her checked by a physician.”
“You’re taking care of one of the most stubborn women I’ve ever known.” My toes scrunch at his relaxed amusement. “She’s not exactly the best listener.”
“I’m not stubborn,” I grumble. “I’m just efficient at resisting your commands.”
Carrie takes my hand and squeezes it lightly as Lidia heads for the door. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
“No problem. Let me know if you reconsider, and I’ll put in a word with the doc.”
“She’ll see the doctor first thing tomorrow morning,” Logan assures her. “Thank you, Lidia.”
I gawk at my sister’s sudden silence. “Aren’t you going to tell him to mind his business?”
“For once, I agree with him,” she mutters.
My eyes shift between them. “Wow. Never thought I’d see the day you two formed an alliance.”
Logan braces his shoulder against the wall, arms crossed and lips tipping up. “Told you she’d come around.”
But the humor in his joke doesn’t quite reach his eyes, and my brow furrows when Carrie clears her throat.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“I’ve got a work meeting with Dad in Tauntuma, so I don’t have long. But there’s something I want to say before I go.” Carrie traces a tiny circle on the webbing of my hand. Her gaze fills with remorse when she speaks. “I take full responsibility for what happened to you last night.”
Stunned, my eyes widen. “What? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m serious, sis. I left you by yourself not once, but twice, and that was incredibly selfish of me.”
I squeeze her hand, giving a halfhearted laugh. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
Her lips thin into a grim line, and something tells me I won’t like what she says next. “I was planning to finish out my vacation with Mom and Dad next week, but I think it’s best if we move our things out there together so you can recover at home.”
I scoff, completely taken aback. “Absolutely not.”
She has the nerve to look dejected. “I think this is what’s best for you, and Logan agrees that you should be with your family right now. Don’t you want to be comfortable? Cared for?”
My gaze flies to where he’s standing, waiting for an explanation, but he’s staring a hole through the tip of his crossed feet.
It’s funny how the people we love use that phrase as a crutch. But wanting what’s best for someone doesn’t mean they can dictate, guilt, or intimidate them into compliance.
“So what, you two spent all night making decisions for me? Choosing who I’ll be living with like I’m part of a divorce decree?”
“No.” Her eyes narrow. “We spent all night worried sick because you refused to go to the hospital.”
Our gazes touch briefly. That’s right… I had begged Logan not to let them take me, and while I’m surprised he followed through, I’m oddly moved, too.
“I’ll be fine in a matter of days. Lidia said it herself. Besides, Logan and I have an event to plan. I’m not just going to crawl into a hole and let this get the best of me.”
“You can’t work in this condition, and Dad can give you whatever money you need—”
My neck burns with anger and betrayal.
