Page 74 of Defending Casey

That was where he’d find her.

That’s where he’d remind her that he was the one who loved her.

The one who really was going to be there for her.

Smiling, he turned onto Bear Paw Trail determined to focus on the future.

Their future together.

* * *

Doctor Kim reachedinto the pocket of his old-fashioned white coat and pulled out three different flavors of lollipops. “Which one would you like, Nora?”

Nora looked at the pink, purple, and yellow confections and raised her brows at the doctor. “No red?”

Casey sighed and smiled. “Careful, Doc. Aunt Sparrow showed her how to pat someone down for contraband.”

The doctor chuckled and held his hands up over his head. “Well, I guess someone’s going to have to look in my top pocket.”

Nora gave him a half-smile and reached into the pocket of his coat which was embroidered with his name. She came out with a red lollipop and a bigger smile. “Thank you.”

He lowered his hands and smoothed her hair back from her face. “You’re going to be okay. You need some rest and some chicken soup from Mattie’s, and you’ll be right as rain in no time.”

Nora’s smile crumpled a little. “But tomorrow-”

Casey stepped closer and hugged Nora up against her side. “Don’t worry, baby. It’ll be fine.”

The doctor looked at Casey with a curious question in the raise of his eyebrows.

“Tomorrow was the day we were headed over to Hale’s to see the surprise he has for her.”

Nora’s lips squished together as she sucked in a shuddered breath through her nose. The poor thing really didn’t feel well. “Hey, hey… it’s going to be okay. We’ll figure something out.”

Doctor Kim leaned in and touched Nora’s shoulder. “Listen to your mom. She’ll take care of you.”

To Casey, he nodded. “Jane is putting together her meds and you can pick it up at the counter. If you need anything, you’ve got my number.”

Casey nodded. “Thanks. Do you mind if we stay for a few minutes, and I get her dad on the phone to talk to her?”

“Sure.” The doctor cheerfully waved off any concern. “The waiting room out there is crickets. Go ahead and call Hale. And remind him that I want him to come in for a checkup when he gets a chance.”

With that, he left the room and closed the door softly behind him.

“Mama?”

“It’s okay, baby.”

She started to dial the phone, but Nora’s hand settled on hers. “What is it?”

Nora’s eyes were a little glassy. “You called me baby. You haven’t done that in a long time.”

Casey nodded. “I know you told me you were a big girl and didn’t want me to call you a baby, but when I see you not feeling so good, it just slips out.”

“It’s okay, Mom.” Nora leaned against her side and closed her eyes. “If you want to keep saying it until I feel better, that’s okay.”

“All right, baby. I will.”

Nora’s weight pressed against her, her eyes drooping a little. The first dose of medicine that the doctor had given her was either hitting her fast or she was just really tired.

---