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“Wow, you’re packing in a lot of appearances for your first day back,” I say.
She snorts with laughter. “First and last. I’m remembering why I hated this so much. Really, I just wanted to help Charlotte with a few cases she’s winding down and couldn’t get coverage for.”
“How’s she doing?”
“Good. Way into her nesting stage.”
“She better be.” I laugh. “Twins are going to be a handful.”
“Well, we’ll all be there to help them out, so they’ll be fine,” she says with all the confidence in the world.
Huh. Must be nice. Not only do all the brothers look out for each other, but their women seem to have formed their own sort of sisterhood.
Libby and I will be going home to an empty house. The only person in my life I’d be comfortable calling and asking to help us out is Serena. And she’s busy with a new baby and lives too far away now.
We’re on our own.
It won’t be so bad. Once I get Libby settled in her room, I can run out for groceries. Maybe I’ll swing by the school and pick up her assignments too.
We’ll be fine. It’s been just the two of us for years now.
I’m used to being alone.
CHAPTER FIVE
Emily
A few hours later we’re finally being discharged from the hospital.
“Please,” Libby groans. “Get me out of here.”
“We’re going, pudding.” I sign my name to another form. Good God, even with insurance, I’ll be paying hospital bills for years to come. I might have to take Hope up on her offer to speak to one of her lawyer friends about suing the city.
The discharge nurse hands us another list of instructions and we’re finally on our way.
“I’m not sure what we have at the house,” I say. “Do you want me to stop at the store on our way home? Or I can just have pizza delivered?”
“Ugh. I don’t feel like eating anything. I just want to sleep in my own bed.”
“Okay.”
Part of me expects to find Dex at the house. I don’t know why, since I acted so wretched.
But it’s not his motorcycle parked at the curb. It’s a small SUV I don’t recognize. Libby frowns at the vehicle as I pull into the garage.
“Let me go in first,” I say to Libby.
“My arm’s broken, not my legs,” she grumbles.
It takes a second to find the right key. I don’t park in the garage often. It’s too dank and full of old junk.
I enter the house and immediately spot a huge bunch of Get Well Soon balloons floating behind the couch in the living room. A floral fragrance fills the air, mixing with the scent of something mouth-watering and garlicky drifting from the kitchen.
A serial killer probably wouldn’t waste time making dinner, right? Or stop by with balloons and flowers.
My stomach rumbles.
“Hello?” I shout, pushing the kitchen door open.
I find Serena standing by my stove, stirring a wooden spoon into one of my larger stainless steel pots.
“Hi!” Serena greets me with a quick wave, then sets the spoon on a dish on the counter.
“Oh my God, what are you doing here?” I stop and stare. Fatigue pulls at my eyes. Am I hallucinating?
She beams at me. “Making dinner. I bet Libby’s starving. Hospital food sucks.”
“But—how did you…”
“I still have my key, remember?” Her smile falters. “You told me to keep it in case I ever needed a place.”
She’s right. I did. “Yes. Absolutely.” I hesitate, is that why she used it? Did something happen? “Is everything okay?”
“Uh, no.” She stares at me with confusion dimming her happy expression. “I heard Libby was being released from the hospital and thought you could use an extra set of hands around here.”
Emotion chokes off my words.
Baby Lincoln lets out a few sweet baby babbles, giving me an excuse not to blubber all over myself. Any remaining questions melt away. “Aw, you brought Lincoln to visit too.” I hurry over and peek into his carrier. “How’s my little guy?”
“Very happy to be out and seeing new things,” Serena says.
“Yoo-hoo?” Libby calls. “Is it safe to come inside or not?”
“Yes.” So overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, I almost forgot my patient.
I return to the living room with Serena following behind me carrying Lincoln.
“Serena!” Libby squeals.
“Oh my God!” Serena rushes over with her free arm outstretched to give Libby a quick squeeze. “Poor girl. Are you okay?” She stares at Libby and bites her lip.
Libby ducks her head and circles her uncasted hand in front of her face. “It’s looks worse than it feels.”
“Well, that’s good.” Serena’s questioning gaze bounces between Libby and me.
“Hey, kiddo!” Libby wiggles her fingers at Lincoln and he gurgles at her in return. “Sweet ride out front. Is that yours?” Libby asks in a high-pitched baby voice. Lincoln smiles wide.
“Oh! It’s mine.” Serena blushes. “Gray surprised me with it.”
