"I mean, um, I could do it. I've decided to move here and could stay with you and pitch in with appointments and stuff in exchange for room and board. Until you're well enough to be on your own, that is. It'd give me time to find a place to live while getting out of Bronwyn and Gabe's way."
"Can she, Daddy? Can Lindsey live with us?"
Chapter
Five
Lindsey
What did I just do?
Besides offer myself up as live-in help to a firefighter and his two girls when my own life is hanging together by a thread. Too late now. I can't back out, especially when it's the difference between him going to a rehab or home. If I put myself in his shoes, I'd certainly want to go home. But I also acknowledge that if I do this, I need a plan. A list. Much like the one Zoey and I came up with.
As I struggle to inhale and get my bearings, I nod. As far as solutions go?
It works.
I can't be constantly underfoot at Winnie's. Not when she and Gabe are in a new relationship. It's just awkward.
Winnie… Bronwyn—I have got to get used to her request to use her full name—was married to my brother. She deserves the very best when it comes to love, but I can't say I want a front row seat to watch it happen.
Especially not when my own life is such a freaking disaster. Rubbing salt in the wound and all of that.
"Please?" Dani begs.
"Dani-girl, give her a minute," Kace says.
To me he adds, "Are you sure you're awake, sweetheart?"
I laugh at that. But maybe I'm not, because if I am awake—why did I just get full body goose bumps at this man calling me sweetheart while pregnant with another man's baby? "Positive."
But despite my bravado, a wee bit of panic still lingers like a persistent gnat. Am I really going to play nurse to Tall, Handsome and Daddy?
His burns and dressings will need to be changed, and he can't put weight on his leg, which means he'll need help to go the bathroom like the doctor says. Can I do that?
Yes. Yes, you can.
"Is she having a stroke?" Madi asks with her typical teenage frankness.
"No," I stress, shooting the girl a look and a shake of my head. "I'm just thinking."
"Reconsidering," Kace says in a knowing tone.
"Planning," I shoot back at him. "I haven't been a caretaker before, and I'm thinking over what's expected of me. I like a plan."
Determination fills me. All my life my motto has been make a plan, work the plan. Then pivot and adjust accordingly. Well, this is me—pivoting. Adjusting. Making a new plan. "This will work. I need a place to stay until I can figure some things out, and you need a driver and a cook and—yeah, I'm in. Do we have a deal?"
The smile that forms on Kace's lips draws my gaze, and those darn goose bumps return. I blame the AC blowing into the room. Thanks to the summer heat outside, the hospital has the air cranked to arctic. Yup, that's what I'm going with here.
"Okay then," the doctor murmurs. "Since that's settled, I'll let the nurses know to begin discharging you. But"—he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a notepad to write on—"here's the hospital's direct number to reach this floor. The nurses will get you sorted on how to care for his burns and walk you through how best to help him until the cast is switched for a more manageable one. But in case you run into any problems or have questions, just call. You can ask for me personally. I'd be happy to help."
I glance at Kace and find him glaring at the doctor. I'm startled by the expression because it's so… I don't know. Protective? I mean, the doctor is just being helpful, right? He's not flirting. Much. I kinda get the sense that he's interested, but with my hormones off kilter and me feeling like death warmed over, that's probably wishful thinking on my part. Let's be real. Not to mention the good doc doesn't know I'm pregnant, and that fact would definitely put a damper on any supposed interest at all.
Since I can't not take the paper or things'll be even more awkward, I manage a slight smile and shove the slip into my pocket. "Thanks. I'll use it for emergencies."
The doctor smiles at me, and I swear I hear Kace growl. Like a grumpy, grumbly bear coming out of hibernation and food isn't readily available.
"Well," the doctor says, glancing at Kace. "I'll leave you to your visitors. Enjoy your lovely company."
