Page 106 of A Whole New Trick

“I’m not certain. The doctor will be able to tell you more when she arrives.”

It’s not the answer I want, but I’m not in a position to argue.

I keep quiet as the nurse completes her tasks, trying to listen in on Morgan, Mom, and Eli’s quiet conversation in the corner of the room. When the nurse steps back to type more information into the computer, I see they’re smiling.

I find my own lips turning up.

A knock raps on the doorframe.

I look toward the sound, eager to ask the doctor about my condition. My smile falls, and irritation ripples through me when I see who's there.

My dad stands tall and nearly fills out the width of the doorframe. His eyes lock with mine. “Hello, Dane.”

34

DANE

Loaded silence fallsover the room, interrupted only by my heavy breaths and the beeping heart rate monitor behind me. Even the nurse pauses her typing when she senses the tension that follows the arrival of my latest visitor.

Speaking of visitors, isn’t it too late for any to be here? I should bring it up to the nurse. Maybe she’ll throw Dad out before this devolves into another classic Larson family fight.

I decided against it, fearing that if I did, she might also throw out Morgan, Mom, and Eli.

“Dad,” I manage to grind out. The beeping on the machine increases in tempo.

The nurse clears her throat. “Your vitals look good, Mr. Larson.” She removes the blood pressure cuff and hangs it off the hook on the wall behind the bed. “The doctor will be in shortly.”

“Thank you.”

She leaves the room and closes the door behind her, forcing Dad to step farther into the space that now seems too small.

“I’m glad you’re all right, son.”

“Me too.”

His lips pinch. “Make sure to thank your owner for flying Mom and me out here. He didn’t have to do that.”

I grind my teeth. I don’t need the reminder to be a decent human being. I’m not a teenager who resents writing thank-you cards for Christmas gifts. I mean, I’m still not fond of the activity, but I understand the importance of showing appreciation to people.

“I’m sure he was already planning to do that, Odin,” Mom speaks up, stepping away from the corner where she and Morgan had been talking. She approaches my bedside.

“Hm.” Dad’s gaze lands on Morgan. “You must be Morgan.”

“I am.” She approaches him without hesitation. and holds out her hand. “You must be Dane’s father.”

“Odin.” He shakes her head. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

“Morgan’s been here with Dane since they transported him from the arena,” Mom says.

“Thank you for looking after our son,” Dad says. I’m not sure if I imagine the emotion in his voice.

“Of course. It was no trouble at all.” Morgan looks at me. My chest swells when I see the affection in her gaze. I don’t know what I did to deserve a woman like Morgan Caldwell, but I’ll be thanking my lucky stars for her for the rest of my life.

“You should go home and get some rest,” Eli says, drawing me out of my admiring thoughts.

I’m not sure who he’s talking to until Morgan looks his way and then returns her attention back to me. “I don’t know…”

---