Page 33 of Skid
Tears streamed down her face as she cried, “My arm…”
I looked down, and my stomach dropped when I saw the dip near her wrist. There was no doubt that it was broken. I just didn’t know how bad. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”
I leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. That’s when I saw it.
The star.
It was cut from notebook paper and colored yellow with a little glitter around the edges. She’d been working on it all afternoon. It was lying near the tree stand and was now bent and a little torn. She must’ve tried to put it on by herself.
I should have seen this coming. She had been staring at that tree all night, and she couldn’t stop talking about that star. I should’ve known she would try to put it up herself. I should’ve paid more attention. My poor, precious baby. Her tiny face was all scrunched up and scared, and I did that. I’m her mama. I was supposed to keep her safe, and I failed her.
I bit back a sob and kissed her again before grabbing my phone from the coffee table. I called Thatcher’s number, and tears blurred my vision the second he answered, “Hey, babe. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Baylor,” I stammered. “She’s hurt.”
“I’m on the way.” I heard a rustling sound, followed by footsteps and the door opening and closing. “What happened?”
“It looks like she was trying to put her star up on the tree and fell.” My voice quivered. “I think she might’ve broken her arm.”
“It hurts, Momma.”
“I know, sweetie. I’m so sorry.”
“You think she needs to go to the ER?”
“Yes, I think so. Could you take us?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be there in ten.”
“Thank you, Thatch.”
“Don’t thank me, babe. It’s what I’m here for. Now, get her ready, and we’ll take her as soon as I get there.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
With that, I hung up the phone and put it back on the table. I needed to put on some clothes, so I lifted her into my arms andcarried her over to the sofa. “Stay right here, and I’ll be back in a flash.”
“Don’t go, Momma.”
“I’m just going to put on some jeans, sweetie. It’ll only take a second.”
I hated to leave her, even for a second, but I wanted to be dressed and ready when Thatch got there. I darted into the bedroom and slipped on some jeans and a pullover, and I quickly pulled my hair up as I made my way back to Baylor. She was still whimpering, but the second she saw me coming toward her, she turned up the waterworks.
I grabbed a blanket and wrapped her up in it, and I was standing at the door when Thatch pulled up. I darted outside, and he jumped out and opened the passenger door for me. Seconds later, we were in his truck and on the way to the hospital.
It was crazy, but one little paper star was about to change the course of our lives in ways I couldn’t begin to imagine.
11
SKID
“I’ve looked over the X-rays, and her wrist is definitely broken.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“It’s a significant break.”
The doctor’s voice faded somewhere in the background as he pointed to the X-ray. All I could focus on was Laken. Her face had gone pale, and her fingers were clutching Baylor like she was afraid she might lose her.
