Page 76 of Sullivan

“We’ll get you on the mend fast,” the doctor assured her. “Back home and feeling yourself in no time.”

“Home will look a little different now, I imagine,” she murmured.

“We’ll figure it all out,” Autumn soothed. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”

She held Autumn’s hand after the doctor left, looking distressed.

“I’m sorry I caused so much trouble.”

“Don’t be daft,” Autumn replied. “It was an accident. But you need to wear your alert button.”

“I hate it. It bothers my neck,” she said with a frown. “And listen to you, sounding all Scottish.” She glanced at me. “You teaching her that?”

“No. She is learning that all herself. I try to inject some Irish into her whenever I can, though,” I added with a wink.

“I bet you do, big man,” Lynn replied with a small grin. She looked at Autumn. “I like this one.”

“I do too,” Autumn said softly.

Lynn sighed, her eyes fluttering closed. “I know.”

“Rest, Auntie,” Autumn whispered. “I’ll be right here.”

This time, Lynn smiled. “I know.”

Surgery went well the next day, and we were waiting when Lynn was wheeled back into her room late in the afternoon. She was tired, drugged up, but smiled at Autumn.

“You look like hell, girl.”

Autumn laughed through her tears. “You should talk. Hospital colors don’t suit you.”

“I know. Brilliant colors are my best. I need to get out of here and back to my own things.”

“Soon,” Autumn promised.

Lynn sighed. “Sully? I need a favor.”

I bent over her. “Anything.”

“Take her and give her a good meal. Some sleep. Maybe an injection of Irish. I don’t want to see her back here until then.”

Autumn groaned in dismay.

I chuckled. “It would be my pleasure.”

“I bet it will,” Lynn mumbled, drifting toward sleep. “Go, Autumn. I’m fine.”

And she was out.

Autumn frowned and looked at me. I held up my hand, knowing she was going to fight this. “Niall and Anna are outside. They are going to sit with her. Finn and Una will take the later shift. You are going to stop arguing and do what she asked. You aren’t any good to her exhausted and ill.”

She shocked me when she nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay?” I repeated.

She leaned into my side, and I snaked an arm around her waist. “Okay.”

I pressed a kiss to her head. “Thank you.”