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“You’re right about that! When are you finally going to give in and hire some help for your place? I know you’re all,I am woman, hear me roar, but you really don’t have the time to get it done if you keep picking up shifts here.”
“And therein lies my problem. I need the extra shifts so I can do all the renovations I want but I am so damn exhausted once I finally do get home, that I just crash instead of working on the house. I wanted to make this a quick flip like my last house, but this one is a much morelabor of lovethan the other house.”
I bought my second house about 6 months ago. I loved fixing up my first home so much that I decided to list it and see if I could do it again. As rewarding as working in the ER can be, you can also have some pretty shitty shifts. Working on the first house gave me an outlet for some of my frustrations from those bad shifts when I lost patients, or we had to give them the unfortunate news that their stomach bug was actually something far worse.
I instantly fell in love with the craftsman style house as soon as we pulled into the driveway. My realtor warned me that it was definitely going to need some TLC, but she knew that I was more than capable of handling that job. She wasn’t wrong about the house needing work, but I could instantly see the potential. The old house has gorgeous hardwood floors and a kick ass fireplace. It also has pocket doors, which I am a sucker for.
“That’s exactly why you need to hire someone to help you with it!” An exasperated Landon exclaims at me.
We may or may not have had this conversation a time or two. He knows I’m a stubborn ass once I make my mind up, and my mind is made up that I will do this flip on my own just like I did with the other house. Of course, I’ll contract an electrician and plumber so that I can make sure everything is up to code in those departments, but otherwise, I can handle everything else on my own. Or at least with a little help from my sisters.
Just as I am about to argue that I am more than capable of getting my house finished on my own, we get the call that there’s a 4 car accident that will be quickly coming our way.
Instantly, the ER switches over to a chaotic organized dance preparing for the incoming traumas. “Alright everyone, you know your jobs and responsibilities. Let’s make sure we get everyone triaged as soon as they’re in and figure out who needs us most. Let’s go!” I holler as I rush to prep one of the ER bays and Landon heads to another. Looks like the day is going to start off with a bang. Hopefully the rest of this 12-hour shift isn’t as crazy.
Chapter Three
Cash
“Whatthehellistaking so long? Why are we still sitting out here in the waiting room while my baby girl is in pain?” I can’t help but growl at the young girl sitting at the admittance desk.
“I’m so sorry sir. I totally understand and we have all of her information loaded into the computer system. I’m not supposed to tell you this, but unfortunately there was a car accident, and the ER is very busy at the moment. I feel so bad making your little girl wait, but I promise they will be with you guys as soon as they can.” She all but pleads with me so that I don’t bark at her anymore.
I instantly feel like an ass, but when my baby is hurt, it’s hard to use my rational brain and know that the reason we haven’t been seen yet isn’t her fault. Grabbing the back of my neck and feeling guilty as hell, I make sure I’m looking her in the eyes as I apologize. “I’m sorry for being an ass and coming up here like a pissed off bear. Can you maybe check and see if she can at least have some tylenol or an ice pack?”
“Of course, Mr. Fowler. I’ll send back a message and if I don’t hear back in five minutes, I will go back myself and check!” Her blazing smile at least lets me know she’s forgiven my lack of manners a minute ago. I suppose that’s a win. Especially if my Penny can get something to help the pain.
Knowing that Claire, the young woman who is in charge of admitting the patients, is going to try and get my baby girl some help, I’m finally able to relax a little. I walk the ten feet back to Penny to give her some snuggles and make sure she’s still doing okay. Thankfully, Reid had the foresight to snag her tablet along with all of her other things she brought to the job site, and she’s as content as she can be watching her favorite show at the moment.
Scooting her over a little so I can snuggle in, I can’t resist giving her a squeeze and a kiss on the head. Penny turns to me with those big eyes, and I instantly know I’m in trouble.
“Daddy, you wasn’t very nice to that lady. You yelled at her and was the growly grumpy daddy bear. Why were you being mean to her?”
Man, that little scowl she’s giving me right now is so damn cute, it’s hard not to smile. Seeing as she means business, I school my features and try to look contrite, but I’m pretty sure I fail as she narrows her eyes at me some more.
“You’re right, baby. I wasn’t being very nice to her and that was not her fault. Daddy is just upset that you’re hurt and instead of seeing a doctor, we’re still sitting out here in the waiting room. Daddy HATES seeing you hurt and not being able to make it better. But I did realize I was being a grumpy daddy bear and I told Claire I was sorry.”
Giving me one final hard stare, Penny nods her head and I know I’m forgiven. “It’s okay Daddy. It only hurts a little bit right now. I’m snuggly with my blanket and I LOVE this show!”
I’m glad my little girl is doing fine, but I’m also pissed at myself for her feeling like she needs to comfort me right now. I’m obviously not doing a very good job at keeping my shit together for her. This is definitely another one of those times that having a partner here with me would be extremely welcome, but I also know we’ll survive and be fine on our own. I texted my sister and mom to let them know what’s going on. Of course, my mom is freaking out because she can’t be here, but I reassured her that Penny is okay, and we’ll call her once we’ve seen the doctor. At least she believes me when I tell her we’ve got it handled. I still haven’t heard back from my sister, but I know she had a full day with the kids, so that really doesn’t surprise me. I do feel bad I told Reid to stay behind at the jobsite. Even though they aren’t biologically related, I know he’s head over heels in love with my little girl and was most likely just as upset about her accident as I am.
“Mr. Fowler?” Snapping my head up I see a tall, handsome man dressed in scrubs waiting at the ER entrance with a wheelchair. Standing up I signal to him, and he instantly heads our direction.
“Well, hello there, gorgeous! What’s your name?” He sweetly asks as he squats down so that he is eye level with Penny.
“Hi! I’m Penny and I hurted my leg trying to walk down the balance beam.” Her eyes start watering, and her lips pout as the pain and the reason we’re in the ER is brought to her mind.
“Oh, I’m so sorry that happened to you, baby girl!” He looks so sad for her as he wipes away her tears and smooths her hair. His frown quickly turns into one of the most contagious smiles I think I’ve ever seen. “But you know what? I had no idea I’d be meeting a real-life gymnast when I came to work today! I’m Landon and I am so happy that I am getting the chance to get to know you, even if it’s because you have a hurt leg. Would it be okay for your daddy to get you in this chair, and we can take you for a little ride?”
With a big grin spreading across her face, Penny gives Landon her sweetest smile as she nods her head that it was okay with her. As carefully as we could, Landon held her leg stable as I scooped up my sweetheart and gently placed her in the wheelchair. She giggles as Landon uses her blanket to wrap her up like a burrito. I’ve got to admit, the guy is awesome with my kid, and I can feel the tension leaving me a little more with each minute he’s with us.
“You ready to go for a ride?” He pushes off before she even gets a chance to answer, but by the way she’s giggling, I’d say she’s enjoying herself and not thinking about the pain in her leg for now, which I am definitely grateful for. We head through the double doors and walk into what looks like choreographed chaos. There are people moving in and out of rooms, pushing patients down the hall, and stopping to check in with coworkers everywhere I look. I understand why it’s taken us a while to get back here. They’re definitely busy right now.
Making our way to the room, Landon parks the wheelchair and we both lift Penny to get her situated in the bed. She looks so tiny in the big hospital bed, but at least she’s still smiling and doesn’t seem scared. I really need to give Landon some credit for that.
“Thanks, man. You’re seriously so good with her and have put her right at ease. And honestly, you’ve helped calm my grumpy ass down a bit too.”
Laughing at me he just shakes his head. “No worries. She’s such a doll that it’s not a hardship to do my job. Plus, I love the little pipsqueaks!” He pulls on her hair, and she immediately starts to giggle.
