Page 27 of The Billionaire and the Runaway

He relays the information to his wife. I hear their daughter squealing in the background. “OK, she’ll see you shortly.”

“Thanks,” I say as we disconnect.

“Let me get you ice for the ankle,” I state as I go to the kitchen and grab two ice packs. One for her head and one for her ankle. I get her propped up with the ice.

“Eric, you are totally overreacting. I promise you, I’m fine,” she argues.

I can tell she’s not one hundred percent because she pulls away a bit when I place the ice on the back of her head. I can already feel a small lump there.

“I’d feel better if we got you checked out,” I declare as I sit down next to her feet. I pull her shoes free and place a pillow under them. She rolls her eyes. “Humor me,” I add.

“Fine,” she mutters as she crosses her arms. I fight a laugh because even injured she’s a little spitfire. Damn, she reminds me of Tori. I look away and stand as I feel emotion wash over me.

“Are you…alright?” she asks. I glance back and she has a worried look on her face.

Swallowing back down the feelings that I never let bubble to the surface, I nod. “Yep. I’ll go let Dr. Brighton in,” I say quickly as I hurry off to the side door. I wait outside for five minutes, wanting to keep a little distance between me and Ariana until I can get my emotions in check. Kingsley pokes his head out of the barn, and just like that, my damn thoughts go straight back to his older sister.

“Hey, I’m going to close up soon. I think the afternoon rush is over,” he says and then frowns. “You OK?”

Jesus, are my thoughts written on my face in neon lettering?

“Yeah. I’m fine. Go ahead. Ariana had a little fall from the hay loft. Dr. Brighton is on her way to check her out,” I say.

“Oh. Shit. Uh, is she OK?” he asks as he walks toward me.

Nodding, I motion back to the house. “I have her lying down with some ice on her head and ankle, but I think she’ll be OK.”

He swallows and nods as he shoves some pebbles around in the driveway. “She’s…good for you, Eric. Good for all of us. Her ideas are going to change this place, you’ll see.” He looks up at me on the last word.

“She’s my employee, Kingsley, and nothing more. But I agree, she’s been good for Windsor Family Farm. I’m glad I hired her,” I agree.

“Eric, you can’t?—”

The crunch of gravel under a car stops him as we turn to see Dr. Brighton pulling up. Thank God because I can’t have this conversation right now. Kingsley has been urging me to move on for years, and each time, I shoot him down. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to move on. Maybe I’m just a one-and-done person. Maybe, when Tori died, my heart died with her.

“Hey, where’s my patient?” Kristen asks as she gets out of her car.

“In here,” I state as I motion to the door. “’Night, Kingsley.”

He nods and heads over to his car. One that I helped him get about two years ago. I glance back as he drives away. Kingsley is a good kid. When Tori made me promise to look after him, I never thought it would lead to him working here straight into college, but I’m glad it did. And their parents are thankful too. They don’t come out here very often, and I miss them, but I imagine their sense of loss is even worse than mine.

“Hey, I’m Dr. Brighton,” I hear Kristen saying as I lag in the hallway. I hurry up and find her leaning over Ariana.

“Ariana, but please, call me Ari,” Ariana replies. Ari? Does she prefer that nickname? I consider this while Kristen begins to speak.

“So tell me what happened,” Kristen says as she takes a seat next to Ariana. Ariana tells her the short story of her fall. I watch Kristen examine her ankle and her head.

“Well, I think you just twisted the ankle. Rest it, and take some over-the-counter pain medicine if you need it. The ice is a good idea, but don’t leave that on for too long. As for your head, you might have a mild concussion. You certainly have a good bruise forming back there. I’d keep it iced and rest for the next day or two. If you experience any other symptoms at all, blurred vision or nausea, please call me immediately, alright?” Kristen says as she stands.

“Yes. Thank you,” Ariana replies.

“I’ll leave you a wrap for your ankle, but otherwise you should be good to go in a day or two,” she adds as she turns to me. “Let me know if her symptoms worsen.”

“I will. Thank you,” I state.

“It was nice meeting you, Ari. I love the new website. It looks great. I even voted on a name for that lamb. I can’t wait to see which name wins,” she says with a smile.

Ariana grins. “Thanks. Just wait till you see what we have planned out here. It’s going to be a great spring and summer on the farm.”

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