Page 8 of More Than a Little Spark

“You did a good thing today, Carson.And she appreciates it.A lot.She talked about you all the way here.”

I shrug.“What was I going to do?Keep driving on by?”

“A lot of people do.”She tips her head toward the elevators.“I need to run, but I’ll tell the nurses to let you know when Daphne is ready for visitors.”

“Thank you.”

Bouncing a knee, I send off the footage to the deputy.Then while waiting, I google foot and ankle surgeries.How long do they take?Are there lasting repercussions?How long is recovery?

Rose paces as she talks to Dallas on the phone.

After an hour, Dallas shows up.And I’m thinking this is my cue to leave.

I stand.“Maybe I should go.”

“No.”Rose grabs my arm.“They might not let me see her if you aren’t here.I heard that lady tell the nurse that you were the boyfriend, so please don’t go.I know it’s getting late.”

“I’ll stay.That’s not a problem.I just didn’t want to intrude is all.”My mind is processing the part about Trudy telling the nurse I was the boyfriend.Anyone who takes one look at Daphne will not believe that.Or maybe a purse under the arm is more convincing than I think.

Dallas shakes his head.“You aren’t intruding.We appreciate that you helped Daphne.”

So I go back to waiting and googling.I’ve confirmed that it is illegal to slash someone’s tires.And so is keying someone’s car.Even if that jerk of a driver completely deserves that and more.

After three hours, the nurse pokes her head in the door.“She’s in recovery.But only one visitor at a time.”

I point to Rose.“You go.”

She doesn’t even argue.

Dallas flops into a chair.“I really hope Daphne is okay.She’s more like family to Rose than most of her actual family.”

“It seems like maybe that’s true the other way around too.”

He shrugs.“Daphne really never talks about her family, so I have no idea.But maybe.”

Tonight didn’t go at all like I planned.If I had it to do over, I never would’ve changed lanes.I feel guilty about that.Not because I did anything wrong, but because if I hadn’t done it, the accident likely wouldn’t have happened.Or it would’ve been my truck that was hit.

But wondering about what-ifs just eats up time.It serves no useful purpose.That doesn’t stop me from thinking of the many ways things could’ve ended differently.

Chapter4

Daphne

Daphne

When I open my eyes, Rose is leaning over the bed.“Please be okay, Daphne.”

I’m about to accuse her of lying when a thought grabs me.What if Carson is married but didn’t have a ring on?I’ve heard of some guys that don’t wear rings because of the risk of snagging it on something while working.And other guys don’t wear wedding rings because they want the world to think they’re single.

All the other ranch hands I’ve met wear rings.So I proceed with my accusation.“You lied to me.”

She blinks.“What are you talking about?”

“You said all the ranch hands were married.But Carson doesn’t wear a ring.”

Grinning, she bites her lower lip.“You’re okay.I’m so relieved.”

“I’m not actually okay.I have tiny titanium plates in my foot, which unfortunately do not give me any superpowers.I asked.And my ribs hurt, but I’m not having surgery for that.Thankfully.And I’m pretty sure my car is totaled.And the worst part of tonight was that I spent all that money on my Daphne costume but never even made it to the party.”

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