Page 31 of Love for a Lifetime

“This is where we part ways, dear. Though, I’m leaving you in good hands,” Laurie said as she winked at Olivia. “I need to give you more pain meds and change your bandage before I go.”

“Try not to rip all of my leg hair off. I work hard to grow it out for the summer,” Dawson said as he pulled the sheet back to reveal his bandaged leg.

Laurie clicked a few things on the computer beside the bed. “Oh, I’ll try my best, but no promises.”

“Did I tell you about the time I singed my eyebrows off?” Dawson asked Laurie.

“No, but I have a feeling you’re gonna,” she said as she reached for new gloves.

Dawson leaned back. “It was the summer after eighth grade. I was at a celebratory bonfire after we won the baseball playoffs.”

Laurie administered the pain relievers, then Olivia leaned forward to get a better look as the nurse peeled back the bandage. Stitches ran in multiple seams over the side of his leg. The angry red mixed with the black lines.

“Dawson, you didn’t tell me it was that bad,” Olivia said.

He shrugged. “I’ve had worse.”

“That doesn’t mean this isn’t serious.” No wonder the doctor wanted him to stay overnight. A large wound offered plenty of risks for infection.

“Hey.”

Olivia looked up and met Dawson’s gaze. How could she not worry?

He gave her a wink that sent her heart into overdrive. “I’ll be fine.”

He was right. She saw patients every day with worse wounds, but it hit differently when it was someone she knew and cared about.

Dawson grabbed his phone off the tray table and started tapping on it. “I forgot to tell you. One of my reels went viral on Instagram today.”

Olivia took the bait and ran with it. She’d welcome any distraction from her worries right now. “Really? I haven’t checked since this morning.”

He flipped over to his Instagram page. TheGoatGuy was just as popular as TheChickenChick, but they’d only had a few reels go viral since they started the pages.

He beckoned her over to his side, and she leaned close to him as a video showed him bench pressing two adolescent goats.

“Are you serious?” she asked, stifling a laugh that threatened to escape.

“It gets better,” Dawson said, pointing at the screen.

He was curling two kids in the next scene, then a trio of them executed a series of drop-kicks from his back as he did a round of push-ups.

“At least you had your shirt on this time,” Olivia said. His last viral video had won over millions of hearts because of the shirtless man instead of the cute goats. Even fully clothed, the fabric of his shirt stretched over his muscular arms.

“It’s nice to know I’m loved for more than my body.” He turned the phone around to show Laurie. “Have you seen my goats?”

Laurie chuckled as she watched the video. “You’re a riot, boy. Heaven help the woman who ends up with you.”

Dawson grunted as Laurie tilted his leg to expose the underside. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Those meds should be working soon. Just hang tight.”

His jaw tensed as he nodded. Olivia had seen more than her fair share of people in pain, but watching Dawson’s uneasiness twisted something in her gut. He never complained, despite his many incidents.

Olivia had spent many a night making pointless conversation with Dawson’s mom just to keep them both from dwelling on the sneaky fears of what he faced on a daily basis. After Asa was shot in the line of duty a few months ago, the calls became more frequent.

Dawson chatted about the goats until Laurie had finished her administration. She gathered the bandage packaging and dropped it in the trash. “Okay. You’re wrapped up and good as new with fresh meds.” She gripped the bottom of one glove and asked, “Do you need anything before I go?”

“Nope. You’ve been perfect. Thanks for taking care of me.”

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