Page 54 of Love Among Vines

And with that, he was gone.

Cindy’s eyes were wide, and there was a small smile on her face. “Please tell me this was a sex injury.”

Jade’s mouth froze in an O of surprise.

“I’m just kidding,” Cindy said. “Come with me.”

She led her to an exam room and did a quick set of vitals.

“So, how did this happen?” she asked as she gingerly turned Jade’s wrist over.

Jade explained the bare minimum.

Cindy looked a little suspicious but refrained from commenting. “Okay. I don’t think anything’s broken, but let’s get a set of X-rays to be sure.”

Relief struck like a blanket fresh out of the dryer. “You don’t have to do that.”

“As your doctor today, I kind of have to.” She ushered Jade down a hallway to a room marked Radiology.

“So how do you and Rett know each other?” Cindy asked. “I almost fell out of my chair when he told me he was escorting someone to a wedding. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s been over a year since he’s taken a day off work.”

“We met at the winery. I was on a bachelorette trip and one of the attendees insulted his wine. Which was ridiculous.”

“Right? It’s the best,” Cindy said. “Turn your hand this way.”

She manipulated Jade’s hand on the table, then lowered a machine over it. She left the room while the X-ray was taken and came back a minute later.

“Not broken. But I bet it hurts.”

Jade nodded.

“Ibuprofen or Tylenol as needed and ice for fifteen to twenty minutes at a time,” Cindy instructed. “With rest, it should look better in the next two days. If it doesn’t, stop back in.”

“Thank you. I have my insurance card in here somewhere—oh, wait. My purse is back at the café. Rett didn’t give me a lot of time to prepare.”

Cindy waved a hand. “You don’t need it. This one’s on the house. I rarely get to use the X-ray machine, so it was a good refresher for me.”

Jade squirmed. Was this town’s entire economy just run on kindness? It felt a tad irresponsible, even to her.

“But anyway, I’m not surprised about Rett. When he has something in mind, it has to be taken care of immediately.”

“How do you know him?”

“I’ve known him since middle school,” Cindy said with a smile. “We used to date, but we very quickly realized we’re better off as friends.”

“Oh.” Of course he would have been interested in Cindy. She was smart, kind, and gorgeous. The two of them probably would have made children so beautiful it would have hurt to look at them.

Cindy got up, and Jade followed her back to the lobby.

“So, are you staying in town?”

“For a little while. I’m doing a mural for the café.”

Cindy’s gaze drifted to her wrist. “I hope you didn’t promise delivery in the next two days.”

“No. Just before Rett’s anniversary party.”

“Good. You’ll be fine. Come see me again if you’re not.”

---