Page 19 of Single Daddy Doctor Dreamy

“He’ll love it,” I assure him. “Especially because you made it.”

Their excitement is contagious, and as we clean up the glittery mess, I feel a pang of something deeper than happiness—a sense of belonging that I hadn’t realized I was missing.

Later that afternoon, the boys are outside, their laughter ringing through the backyard as they chase each other around the oak tree. I’m in the kitchen tidying up when my phone buzzes. It’s Joel.

“Hey,” I answer, smiling as I lean against the counter. “How’s your day going?”

“Busy,” he says, his voice warm despite the weariness I can hear. “I just wanted to check in. How are the boys?”

“Full of energy as usual,” I say with a laugh. “They’re outside right now, probably plotting their next big adventure.”

His chuckle is soft, but it sends a flutter through me. “Thanks for holding down the fort,” he says. “I’ll be home late tonight but let me know if you need anything.”

“We’re fine,” I assure him. “Just focus on…”

A piercing scream cuts me off. My heart lurches as I spin toward the window. Finn is standing beneath the oak tree, his face pale with terror as he points upward. My eyes follow his gaze just in time to see Miles lose his grip on a branch and fall.

“Joel, I have to go,” I say, dropping the phone and running outside.

Miles is on the ground, clutching his arm, tears streaming down his face. Finn is sobbing, his little hands trembling as he reaches for his brother.

“Miles, can you hear me?” I ask, kneeling beside him. My voice shakes, but I force myself to stay calm.

“It hurts,” he whimpers, his face contorted in pain.

I pull my phone from my pocket, my hands shaking as I dial Joel. He picks up on the first ring.

“Lucy? What happened?”

“It’s Miles,” I say, my voice breaking. “He fell out of the tree. I think his arm is broken.”

Joel’s tone changes instantly, firm and steady. “Call an ambulance. I’ll meet you in the emergency room.”

I hang up to call 911. The operator’s calm voice guides me through the steps, and within minutes, the sound of sirens fills the air.

The ambulance arrives, and the paramedics work quickly, their calm efficiency both reassuring and terrifying. Finn clings to me, his little body shaking with sobs as he watches his brother being lifted onto the stretcher.

“It’s okay, Finn,” I whisper, holding him close. “Miles is going to be okay.”

He looks at me, his tears not stopping. I help him into my car, my hands trembling as I buckle him in. We follow the ambulance, the flashing lights cutting through the growing dusk.

“Will Miles be okay?” Finn asks, his voice small and scared.

“Yes,” I say, my voice firmer than I feel. “The doctors will take care of him.”

He nods, clutching his stuffed dinosaur like a lifeline. I reach over the seat to squeeze his hand, my own heart pounding as we pull into the hospital parking lot.

10

JOEL

The moment I see the ambulance pull up, my stomach twists into a knot. The stretcher comes out, and there’s Miles, pale and small under the bright hospital lights, his arm immobilized and tears streaking his cheeks. I fight to keep my expression calm for both Miles and Finn’s sake, but inside, I’m a storm.

“Hey, buddy. I hear you took quite a fall. It looks like you’re going to be getting a cool cast on your arm,” I say softly.

As soon as Finn is within reach, I scoop him into my arms. His little hands clutch my shirt, and I press a kiss to the top of his head. “Miles is going to be okay. The doctors are going to fix him right up.”

Finn nods, his sniffles muffled against my shoulder. Lucy’s right behind the stretcher, her face tight with worry but focused. We lock eyes briefly.

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