Page 8 of Coast

“Thanks, but not that good of a man. I could’ve done more for Kiyaya over the years, Suni.” When Suni arrived that morning to look in on Kiyaya, I’d used the opportunity to take a really good look around the house. Some things needed to be repaired, like the roof and the doors needed new weather-stripping. The windows had plastic on them, and I still felt the cold seeping in. They needed replaced.

“Eh, that is you thinking he would have allowed it. Kiyaya is a stubborn man, Emery.”

“I could have tried. Done better by him. And since I can’t go back and change the past, I’ll just have to do better going forward. Like fixing some things around this place. But first, he needs to go to the clinic. What I heard last night and this morning with his cough, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t have bronchitis. And if that’s the case, his medicine pouches aren’t going to cut it.”

Suni smiled. “Maybe start with your concern to get him to agree to go to the clinic, instead of mentioning his medicines.”

I drank the last of my coffee and stood. “I might if I was going to ask him.”

Suni stuck out her hand, and I grabbed it, helping her out of the chair. Once she stood, she squeezed my forearm. “I’m glad you came.”

“Good, then you can stand up for me when he calls the cops to toss my ass off reservation land.”

“Eh, it will be okay.” Suni patted my arm as we moved to the door. “I know the chief’s mother.”

I chuckled. “Well, in that case, what are we waiting for?” I said and opened the door. “No time like the present.”

Chapter Two

Mac

After hanging my jacketon the rack in the corner of my office, I stretched, then walked to my desk and picked up the Styrofoam cup of coffee I snagged before leaving the hospital. I took a drink and set the cup back down as Bailey stuck her head in the open door.

“Morning. I have the exam rooms ready,” she said and walked into my office.

“Good morning, and thanks,” I said as I pulled out my chair and plopped down.

“Geez, did you spend the weekend at the hospital?” Bailey asked as she sat in the chair on the other side of my desk.

I looked down at the scrubs I wore with the hospital logo on them. “I did.”

“Did you get to go home at all after you left River and Jag’s reception?”

“No. I went straight to the hospital to deliver the Michaelson’s baby, and before Sarah delivered, the Nelsons and the Moores showed up.” I grinned. “Two girls and one boy in a little over thirty-six hours.”

“Holy crap, did you get any sleep?”

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