Page 4 of Forget Me Not
“Yep. Mom says I’m going to get all the ice cream I want when this is done.”
“Did she now?” He cocked his eyebrow at me, causing my body to flush with heat.
“I did. If that’s okay to have after surgery?”
“Yes. I’m teasing you. He will be good to eat anything his little heart desires. Though, I plan to keep him for twenty-four hours to ensure there is no infection after.”
“Infection?” My answer sounded a bit more concerned than I had meant.
“Miss Stanton.” Dr. Craig placed his hand on my arm. “It’s just a precaution. I promise I will take care of your precious cargo.”
“I’m sorry. He’s all I have left of his father. I’m being silly.”
Catherine smirked as she watched the interaction between us. I glanced at the spot his hand connected with my skin and shuddered.
“It’s not silly. I’ll come and update you myself.”
After kissing Danny goodbye, we watched as he was wheeled from the room. Catherine and David stood beside me and held on as he disappeared behind the employees' only doors.
“He’s in excellent hands.” David was the first to speak. “The nurses say Dr. Craig is one of the best orthopedic surgeons around.”
Catherine chuckled. “And I think he’s sweet on you.”
“What? No. He was just being polite.”
“Mackenzie, that man was smitten with you. I realize you refuse to acknowledge when a man is interested, but I see it. And that man is interested in you.”
“Mom, stop. You know why I don’t date. Danny is all that matters to me.”
“Danny needs a father. We won’t be around forever. I know you miss his father. Hell, I wish every day I could bring Danny back—but we can’t. At some point you need to try again.”
“Can we just get through this surgery first?”
I didn’t want to talk about my dating life or lack thereof with Danny’s parents. I knew they meant well, but I wasn’t ready to open myself up to anyone. Handsome or not, Dr. Craig was not going to happen. We spent the next few hours pacing the room. Before too long, Dr. Craig entered with a smile.
“Everything went well. Danny is in recovery and will be brought back to his room soon. He’ll be pretty groggy from anesthesia, so don’t be alarmed. I’ve written a prescription for some pain medication for when you get him home. He’ll need to stay out of school until our post-op appointment next week.”
“Oh boy, he won’t like that.” David chuckled, making Mackenzie smile.
“A nine-year-old that likes school?” Dr. Craig shook his head. “That’s not something I hear often.”
“He takes after my son—his father. Danny was a wiz at academics and Danny Jr. is no different.”
“That’s awesome. You’ve done a remarkable job raising him.”
“Thank you. He’s my whole life.”
I watched as they wheeled my sleeping angel into the room. He was sound asleep, completely unaware of our presence. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Danny was all that I lived for and seeing him so fragile made my heart stutter. I might not have had his father any longer, but knowing we had made this precious boy was enough to breathe life back into my soul.
Mackenzie
A week at home with a nine-year-old in a cast was taking its toll on both of us. I loved my son, but for the love of God, if he asked me to get him ice cream again, I might blow. He was milking this broken arm to the fullest, and my in-laws were buying into his pampered delusion. I love my son, but I was ready for this post-op more than he was. Danny needed to get back to school, and I needed to get back to work. After showering and tugging on a pair of shorts, I pulled my blonde hair into a ponytail and slipped on my shoes.
“Danny, it’s time to go,” I hollered down the hallway, eager to get on the road.
“Coming, Mom.”
I watched as my blue-eyed boy bounded down the steps and skidded to a stop. His eyes were filled with mischief and happiness, making me forget my irritation. I wrapped my arms around him and tugged him against my chest. His cast thumped against my hip as he wiggled, causing me to glance down. The brightly colored plaster made me smile. In true Danny fashion, he had selected a bright orange and green cast. The nurse said the doctor smiled like a kid himself when Danny requested the multi-colored wrap.
