“What happened?”Lenni asked as she shut the door and removed her coat.
“Wyn spilled hot water on her hand,” Archer explained.
When I tried to tug my hand out from underneath the cool tap, Archer shook his head.“Another few minutes.”
“Oh, Wyn,” Lenni murmured.“What can I do to help?”
“First Aid kit,” Archer said.“Underneath the bathroom sink.”
“I’m on it,” Lenni said.
Lenni disappeared and Mildred came over to investigate.Her paws trekked through the pool of water on the floor.
With a sigh, Archer released me and scooped up the sausage dog before she could escape and leave wet paw prints everywhere.“Keep your hand under the water,” he commanded me.
I swiped at my cheek with my other hand, removing the offending tears.Archer grabbed the dish towel from the oven handle and tossed it onto the floor over the biggest puddle.Using his foot, he began to mop up the mess.
Lenni returned with the First Aid kit.She sat down on the couch and put the kit onto the coffee table.
“Can I please be done with this now?”I asked Archer.
He nodded and turned off the faucet.He grasped my injured hand to peer at it.
The skin between my thumb and forefinger was red, but thankfully it didn’t look like it would blister.
“Sit down,” Archer ordered.“Let me bandage it for you.”
“Bossy,” I muttered.
“You need bossy,” he huffed.
My cheeks heated as I walked to the couch.Lenni scooted over to make room for me.I sat down and then Archer placed Mildred onto Lenni’s lap.The girl curled her arms around the dog to keep her in place.
Archer kneeled in front of me, next to the coffee table.
“That doesn’t look too bad,” Lenni said, peering at my injury.“Does it hurt?”
“Still throbbing a bit.”
“You know what will make it feel better?”Lenni asked.“Sledding down Maple Mountain and then hot chocolate at Sweet Teeth.”
“You want to go sledding?”I asked.
“A friend from school texted me,” she said.“Everyone is going sledding.”
I blinked.“Texted you?You have a cell phone?”
She nodded.“Yesterday.When Archer and I were out together.”
“It’s just a basic phone,” Archer explained.“No internet.Just calls and texts.”
“Oh.”
“I would’ve told you, but?—”
“Hey, you’re the dad,” I said.“It’s your choice if she has a cell phone.”
“You don’t approve?”Archer asked as he took my hand and spread burn cream over the injury.
