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“Jayce Riggs. My friends know me by my road name Papa.”
Noah giggled. “See? Papa is the same as Santa.”
I sighed dramatically. Later, once I knew Noah was alright, I was going to question that biker and he better tell the truth.
“We’re here,” Jayce announced as we pulled into the parking lot of Central Nevada Regional Care.
He slid from the front seat and opened his door, quickly rushing to my side. His large hand reached out for mine and I was pulled to my feet next to the car as soon as he yanked the door open. A brief squeeze of my fingers and Jayce released, carefully scooping out Noah as my son lay his head on his shoulder.
I’d never seen Noah react to any man like this – so comfortable, almost affectionate. There was no time to dwell on it as I shut the door and ran toward the entrance to the Urgent Care.
The facility wasn’t busy with only a few patients waiting in the main lobby. We were promptly checked in and shown to a room, the curtain drawn as Noah was placed on the bed with care.
Jayce gave him a big smile. “Well, Booga, I’d say you’re gonna get to do something cool today.”
Why did this biker think he could use the nickname I’d given my son?
Noah didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, he even smiled. “What’s that?”
Jayce was about to answer when a nurse walked into the room. Red scrubs hugged her curvy figure and the blonde hair on her head was piled into a messy bun. She was quite attractive with a voice that I immediately found professional and soothing. Kindness reflected in her gaze as she moved toward Noah.
“Hello there, Noah. I’m your nurse Nylah. Can I come check on your arm and see how you’re doing?”
Noah tilted his head to the side and scrunched up his nose. “You’re not gonna squeeze my arm, right?”
Jayce let out a chuckle. “Kid is too smart for you, Nylah.”
She smirked in his direction. “Yeah, yeah. If I can survive Rael, then I think I’m capable of anything. Besides, I like my patients smart.” Nylah gave Noah a big smile.
Jayce snorted in response. “That’s the truth. Rael is a pain in the ass.”
“So are you. Get out of my way, Papa. I need to check on my patient.” She shooed him off with her hands.
Jayce moved to the side, his eyes brimming with mischief. I was certain these two knew one another and I found the idea both irritating and frustrating since he didn’t say a word to confirm or deny it. The question was in my eyes and he could tell.
I sent a glare his way which only caused the biker’s smile to widen. Turning to Noah, I watched as Nylah examined my son’s arm. He kept a brave face on as he let her touch him and check his breathing as well as his other vital signs. Perusing his injuries, she paused to gather supplies and came back, cleaning the scrapes on his knees and applying bandages.
When she was done, Nylah leaned back and patted Noah on the head. “You’ve been very brave. How about a popsicle while we wait for the doctor?”
“Sure!” he exclaimed, losing some of the misery he’d been trying to fight off.
“What’s your favorite? Grape?”
His eyes grew round. “Yeah.”
“I’m going to fill the doctor in about your arm and then I’ll be back with the popsicle. Okay?”
Noah nodded enthusiastically.
Nylah left as I sank into a chair next to the bed Noah was perched on. The nurse had raised the end, so Noah was sitting up but slightly inclined.
“How did she know about grape being my favorite?”
I was all set to answer when I noticed Noah had directed his question to Jayce.
“Well, son, I think there must be a little magic floating around here.”
Noah’s eyes widened further. “Magic? Like Christmas magic?”
