Tanner shrugged.
Glory’s bedroom rules were starting to make sense, and he was so damned grateful that he’d never insisted, never tried to coerce her into showing more. His heart thrashed in his chest, hard enough to rattle his frame. Or maybe that was anger and pity shaking him.
Being a big brother, Tanner draped an arm over his shoulders. “You thought she was too perfect when you first met her.”
“Physically, she still is.”
Tanner nodded. “Now that we’ve gotten to know her, she’s as real as any woman can be. Flaws and all.”
Kam tried a deep breath, but it snagged in his throat.
Tanner clapped him on the back, and offered him a moment of privacy by saying, “Sit tight. I’m going to grab colas for us.”
Just then, the waiting room door opened and a woman wearing a white coat over her scrubs stepped in. “McCallahan family?”
The three of them rushed her, Callie arriving first.
The doctor smiled. “Let’s sit.” She moved to a chair, then waited while the three of them reclaimed their seats. Kam was so anxious he couldn’t take his eyes off the doctor.
She held out her hand to Tanner. “I’m Dr. Sydney.”
“Tanner Patrick. This is my wife, Callie. She’s Glory’s sister.”
Kam doubted any of them would bother clarifying that Glory was a cousin. In all the ways that mattered most, Callie and Glory were sisters.
“And my brother, Kam.”
She nodded to each of them. “First off, Ms. McCallahan will be fine.”
Grateful that he was sitting, Kam felt his legs go boneless. He actually gasped a breath. “The blood?”
“A laceration on her forehead and cheek, another on her thigh. None of the cuts were dangerously deep—that is, they didn’t reach critical structures like major blood vessels or nerves—but they were still significant enough to need numerous sutures to close properly and heal well.”
So much blood had covered her face, running into her eyes, that he hadn’t been able to tell much. Now relief left him limp.
“She also has two rib fractures, and a rotator cuff tear. All on her left side. She said that was the side of her car that impacted with the tree.”
The damned car had bent around the tree. It was a wonder she hadn’t been crushed.
“She’s going to be in a lot of pain.”
Callie covered her mouth on a sob. Tanner quickly hugged her closer.
Nodding, swallowing, Callie said, “Sorry. I’m okay. Please, go on.”
“I’m including a referral to an orthopedic specialist for the shoulder. I would suggest she see one right away.”
Tanner, the only one not shaken, asked, “Anything else?”
“She has numerous contusions, especially on her left side. You’ll notice it immediately on her face and forehead, and the discoloration will get worse before it starts to lighten. But I see no signs of a concussion. She’s clearheaded, worried about a dog, and worried about all of you.” A frown marred her brow. “She’s against surgery for the injury to her shoulder, but I’ll leave that to the specialist.”
“When can she go home?” Callie asked.
Dr. Sydney smiled. “She’s anxious to be on her way.”
Kam stiffened all over. “She can leave the hospital?”
“I understand your concern, but her condition is stable, and the fractures aren’t severe enough to require inpatient care. She’ll heal just as well—maybe even better—at home where she can rest without the usual disruptions a hospital brings. It’ll also be better to avoid risks like infection.” She looked at each of them. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
