Page 106 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

Marjorie and Glen looked between me and Wren. If they had a problem with this, then I’d have a word with them. Nothing and no one else was going to get in our way.

“I’m here for as long as you want me to be,” she reassured Zo. Watching the two of them together mended the broken pieces of my heart that appeared the moment I let my fears get in between me and Wren.

Another nurse poked her head in. “We’re ready to take Zoey for her CT scan.”

I nodded and drew Wren to my side. My body rejoiced at having her near again. “Do you want to hold my hand on the way there?” I asked Zoey. They were letting us all go with her, but we had to stay outside the room.

Zoey shook her head. “Just stay close in case I need you.”

“Always, baby.” I gave her an encouraging nod.

She looked so tiny in the large hospital bed.

Wren slipped her arm around me and squeezed. “Everything will be just fine. Zo’s tough,” she reminded me.

The CT scan didn’t take long, and soon Zoey was back in another curtained space while we waited for the doctor to give us an update. Wren and I stood on either side of Zoey, holding her hands.

“Are you two okay now?” Zoey asked tentatively.

Glen and Marjorie stood at the end of the bed. If they didn’t know something was going on with me and Wren before, they did now.

I tried to hide that Wren and I had broken up, but I should’ve known my observant daughter would see beyond the illusion I created.

“We are.” Wren and Zoey were my world.

“Good. Now I don’t have to come up with a way for you two to make up.” Zoey’s smile bordered on evil genius, and I wondered if she hadn’t already had a plan in place.

I didn’t doubt that my determined daughter would’ve come up with something.

“Excuse me, Mr. Hunter, may I come in?” The doctor poked her head in. She smiled at Wren. “Hi, I’m Dr. Ricci. I met with Zoey earlier and was the one to look at her scans.”

“Hi,” Wren smiled back, a tiny, exhausted smile. We still hadn’t had time to discuss the message she received earlier or clear up our last conversation, and with each passing second, it looked like it took an additional toll on her. “I’m Zoey’s—”

“Friend. She’s my friend,” Zoey said, emphatically.

Wren squeezed Zoey’s hand and nodded at the doctor.

“It’s nice to meet you. I wanted you all to know I’m pleased with the scans. There’s no major damage or bleeding. Zoey has a minor concussion, and might be in pain from the bump on the back of her head for the next 24 to 48 hours, so make sure she has a pain reliever when needed and keep an eye on her in case her symptoms don’t go away. If she seems to get worse, bring her back in.”

Wren sagged against the bed.

“Should we keep her up when we get home?” I asked.

Dr. Ricci shook her head. “Zoey can sleep if she’s tired, but check in on her every few hours.”

I was happy I asked. I’d planned on keeping her up for the next few hours as a precaution.

“After the exit paperwork is completed, she’s free to go.” The doctor grinned at my daughter. “Zoey, you’ve been the perfect patient. Thank you for making my job so easy today.”

She puffed up at the compliment.

“I hope you all have a less eventful night. Take care.” The doctor slipped out of the room.

“I’m so relieved.” Wren leaned over and hugged Zoey. “I was so worried about you. I’m so sorry this happened, Zo.”

“It’s not your fault, Ms. Winter.” How was my kid only eight?

“I should’ve paid better attention and stopped it from happening,” Wren insisted.

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