Page 33 of Daddy's Little Patient

“No. But we could make a donation to the place. It sounds like they’ll have their hands full with her.”

Raina thought about it and then nodded. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

Alex kissed her forehead.

“Can I be there when it happens?”

She saw the indecision in his eyes and pleaded. “Please. I need to see her leave. She hasn’t left the house since she moved in six years ago.”

“All right. Let’s get you some shoes, and I’ll take you.”

Alex held her hand in the car as she directed him to her house. They were both surprised that it was only a few miles from his house. She was much closer than she thought since it felt like she had run for miles before she found the barn and collapsed.

Alex stopped when they pulled into the driveway.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Your house is very large.”

She nodded and sighed. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

It was made of white stone with a large ornate door and fancy windows. “It’s been in my family for several generations.” She glanced at him. What if he didn’t like it? “Will you miss your house?”

He chuckled. It helped her to relax.

“No. It was available at the time I moved here. I don’t have any feelings for it at all. I’m sure I’ll enjoy living here.”

She beamed. “I’m so glad. I’ve got so much to show you.”

“Let’s take care of your unwanted guest first.”

Raina nodded.

The ambulance pulled in behind them, so they parked by the garages to the left of the house to stay out of the way. She watched the ambulance park next to a large van with the firehouse’s name on it. A few cops were already there, and then other firefighters pulled in.

The huge rolling bed was pulled out of a truck she thought was the fire department’s. She didn’t understand why so many groups of people were milling around.

Alex put his arm around her shoulders. “They need all these men to help get your aunt in the ambulance.”

“It doesn’t look like the other ambulance here, and it has the fire department’s name on it.”

“Yes,” Alex said. “These guys specialize in transporting obese people.”

“Wow. What do they do the rest of the time?”

“It’s a full-time job. Over sixty percent of the population is obese.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, my God. Why?”

Alex smiled at her. “There are many different factors. The main ones are fast food and lack of exercise because of electronics. Kids would rather play on gaming things than ride their bikes or play tag.”

She nodded. She had noticed that, too. She just hadn’t realized the effect it had on people.

“Let’s go in.”

Raina nodded and let Alex lead her into the house. She looked around and saw so many things missing. “Oh, no.”

“Don’t worry, Baby. We have the place she’s storing everything she took, so we’ll have it brought back.”

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