Page 67 of More Than a Little Spark

“Listen.It’s a school night.You don’t need to be missing school because of this.I’m okay.They’ll probably let me go home tomorrow.As soon as I find my phone, I’ll see who doesn’t have the tummy bug and see if you can stay with them.”

He nods.“Beau and Lilith texted me that they are coming to see you.I can go home with them.That way, Daphne can stay with you.I don’t want you to be alone, Dad.”

I squeeze his hand.“We’ll see if it works out for her to stay.”

“It totally works out.”Daphne raises her eyebrows.“I’ve already taken tomorrow off, and don’t tell me to save vacation days for something fun.Fred, if he doesn’t go home tomorrow, I’ll pick you up after school and bring you here, okay?”

Fred walks around the bed and wraps his arms around Daphne, burying his head in her shoulder.

She hugs him and rubs his back.“Thank you for helping me stay calm today.I was really worried about your dad.”

Fred nods into her shoulder.When he picks up his head, he wipes his eyes.“You’re welcome.”

He’s in the middle space where he’s growing up but there is still a little kid showing through from time to time.I’m trying to keep his life as normal as possible through this mess because the stability is good for him.And I’m extra thankful for Daphne right now.For both of them, honestly.

Beau and Lilith knock on the open hospital door before stepping inside.He is holding a massive basket that’s full of snacks.“Glad you’re okay.I’m going to have to put you on desk duty for a while.”

“What kind of desk duty does a cowboy do?”

Beau chuckles.“That sounds like the lead-in to a joke.But to answer your question, I’m not sure yet.We’ll figure it out as we go.”He hands the basket to Fred.“Lilith wanted to bring you flowers, but I’ve been in the hospital.You need food.Flowers aren’t good eating.”

Fred pokes through the basket.“Can I have something out of here?”

“Sure thing.”

Lilith rolls her eyes at Beau.“This man always has one thing on his mind.”

He steps behind her and slides an arm around her waist.“Not true.I also think about?—”

Her elbow to his ribs ends his sentence.But he’s grinning, so I’m pretty sure he isn’t hurt.

“I’m sorry about what happened,” Beau says.“It took me a bit to settle Ava.It helped that you weren’t on a ladder when it happened.Now she doesn’t want us on any roofs.But how are we supposed to fix them if we don’t go up there?She was on her porch, pacing.And I was keeping my distance.”

Lilith pats Beau’s arm.“Ava would be up here if she weren’t sick.And I feel horrible about what happened.”

“Not your fault I found the rotten spot in the wood.”I shift and wince.“I’m just thankful it was just my lower leg that broke through and not all of me.”I tighten my hold on Daphne’s hand.“I’ll heal.”

Fred tears open a bag of beef jerky.“Mind if I ride back with y’all?”

“That’s absolutely fine.”Lilith nods.“I’ll fix up the guest room for you, and we’ll get you to school in the morning.”

“Thanks so much.”I love that we have support on the ranch.

Lillith focuses on Daphne.“Are you staying up here tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Need us to get anything for you?”Beau’s gaze bounces between Daphne and me.

“I’m good.”I grin because that sounds ridiculous coming from someone in a hospital bed.

“I have an overnight bag in my car.I’ll run out and get it, and I’ll be fine.Thank you, though.”

Lilith pats Beau again.“Well, we don’t want to keep you.We just wanted to make sure you were okay.Kent felt bad that he couldn’t meet you over here, but with both his kids sick, he needed to get back to Poppy.That stomach bug has lots of people sick on the ranch.”

“I don’t want to catch it.”Fred sets the basket on a side table.

“Me neither.”Beau points at Fred.“But if we keep our distance from the infected, we should be okay.”

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