Page 36 of Blood
“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.” Doc smiles. “You need this one stitched, though. I’ll do it now, then come into my office in a few days for a checkup.”
Leaning my head back, I nod, closing my eyes.
“Want me to numb it?”
“No,” I whisper, losing the fight to stay awake.
A sharp pain jolts me.
Now, I’m awake.
“A home invasion at Kaleb’s,” Mom mutters, shaking her head.
“Lucky,” Michael sulks aloud. Lara hits the side of his thigh. “Lucky that Kaleb was there and able to protect everyone,” he fumbles, his eyes flitting the room.
I grin knowingly, throwing my arm along the back of the couch. “Yeah, lucky.” I nod at him.
“Boys, this isn’t something to be smiling about. Two men died,” Dad reprimands.
“Good,” Mom blurts. “I’m sorry,” she says, holding her hands up and looking anything but sorry. “Those thugs broke into thathouse wanting to do God knows what, to God knows who. My children are safe, and that’s all that matters.”
“Hear, hear.” Doc nods.
“Daddy, can I sleep in with you and Mom?” Sam asks, her face shrouded in exhaustion. There go my plans for the rest of the night.
“No,” Shelby rushes, answering for her. “I want to sleep in your room with you.”
“You can stay in with me, Shelbs,” I offer.
“No!” Sam snaps. “She’s my friend, get your own.” For the first time since our family came home, Samantha meets my eyes.
“I do. You,” I taunt. I shouldn’t, I know that, but she can’t avoid me forever. Pain stabs the sole of my foot. “Easy, Doc,” I hiss.
“Perhaps, Shelby,” he says, stressing her full name, “should leave with me if your sister wants to sleep with your parents.”
“Shelby is my sister too. She can sleep wherever the fuck she wants.”
Today is not the day to test me.Our gaze holds, a challenge he’s not ready for.
“How are his feet, Doc?” Michael asks.
All harshness leaves Leonard’s face, his feature softening into a false smile. “All sorted. I’ll just bandage them and head out. Keep them dry,” he orders.
I give him the same fake politeness back. “Of course. And I’ll make an appointment in a few days.”
Shelby isn’t his, and whether she carries the Cromwell name or not, she’s family. He needs to watch himself.
“Okay, babies,” Mom calls, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Let’s start heading to bed, please. Lara, I’ll make some muffins for you guys to take back with you tomorrow or later today, I guess.” She frowns, looking at the clock.
The heat from the wood fire isn’t helping me in my fight to stay awake.
“Thank you. We’ll FaceTime you as soon as we get there. It’ll be like you’re with us.”
The room relaxes with my mother’s laughter.
Exhausted, I follow the ladies up the stairs while Michael and our dad lock up the house.
Leaning forward, I draw in the smell of vanilla. “Happy Halloween,” I whisper next to Sam’s ear.
