Page 13 of Wild Desire

"Riley said you were under strict instructions to take it easy and follow doctor's orders. Who else is going to confirm that happens?"

"You?"

"I have Joey and Carolina. Eli has Scarlett. Xander has Tori. You keep forgetting this is about helping Noelle more than it is about you."

That felt like a carefully crafted manipulation. I was still working that out in my head when there was a knock on the door.

Oliver's face lit up. "That's probably her now."

I waved a hand toward the door, and Joey rushed to open it.

Noelle gazed down at Joey. "Joey, I didn't know you were here."

Joey bounced on his toes. "Uncle Kill said that you were buying me toys!"

Noelle's amused expression lifted to meet mine. "Am I now?"

Joey nodded eagerly. "There're no toys for me to play with here."

She ruffled his hair. "We can't have that, now can we?"

Joey nodded again. "I need Legos, drawing stuff?—"

Oliver guided him toward the door. "Whatever you can get will be fine. Something small." Then he called over to me, "You behave."

"I'm not a dog." Or a little brother, for that matter. I was used to people around me treating me like the adult I was. "I don't need supervision."

"Apparently, you do," Oliver said as he opened the door to leave.

Joey ran over to me, and I leaned over to give him a hug.

"I hope you feel better."

"Thanks, bud," I said to his retreating back.

Oliver waved, and then they were gone.

I was sick of being stuck in this condo, resting on the couch. I needed to do something. "I need to take a shower."

Noelle's eyes widened as she approached. "Do you need my help with that?"

"You're not a nurse."

"No," she said dragging out the word. "But I'm supposed to be at your beck and call."

I grabbed the crutches and stood without any assistance. Sweat beaded on my forehead from the effort. "I'll holler if I need anything."

"Do you need me to pick anything up for Joey?" Noelle asked as I turned on the crutches, heading in the direction of my room.

"He wants something to color with, probably white paper and crayons. Maybe a few building toys or trucks. Nothing fancy."

"Do you want me to order them online and have them delivered, or would you prefer to shop at a local toy store?"

It would be easier to have it delivered, but then it wouldn't arrive for a few days. The toy store would give me an errand to run with Noelle. "Wait for me. I'll go with you to the store."

I turned in time to catch her frown. "I thought this was my job. To get the things you need. It's not necessary for you to accompany me."

"I'm getting cabin fever stuck here at the lodge. I need to get out. We can go to my PT appointment, the store, and maybe even grab lunch."

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