Page 51 of One Unexpected Gift

“Actually, I haven’t ridden a dirt bike, any other all-terrain vehicle, or done anything other than some downhill skiing on marked trails. And, yes, I wear a helmet when I ski.”

This surprised Turner as much as Sky. In all the times she’d mentioned his love for the extreme, not once had he mentioned taking a hiatus from it.

Nick sat up. “And for the record, I’m not even lifting heavy at the gym.” His annoyance with the doctor was evident in his tone.

“Could be another spontaneous one then. Still have to be careful.”

“I am. I have been. I think I did something while playing basketball a few weeks ago.”

“Did you have an elbow to the head? That could’ve done it.”

“No.” Nick squeezed Sky’s hand. “I was showing off and leaped in to block a basket. Pretty sure I pulled something in my neck then.”

“Nick.” Sky let go of his hand. “You have to be more careful.”

“I am careful, but I can’t live in a bubble.”

“When you get home, call your neurologist for a follow up appointment. I’ll write you a script for blood thinners. Take them until you meet with Doctor Foster, then most likely you’ll be on an aspirin regimen indefinitely. Any questions?” Turner had already turned toward the curtain, seeming more concerned with getting to his next patient than answering any of Nick’s questions.

“No.”

“I have some,” Sky spoke up.

“What can he take for the pain?” While she knew what a CAD was, she wasn’t sure what the follow-up protocol consisted of.

“Tylenol.”

“That doesn’t seem to be working. This morning Nick was on the floor throwing up from the pain. He needs something more.”

Nick skimmed his hand down her arm and took her hand in his. “It’ll get better. It’s okay.”

“No. It’s not okay.”

“I can refill the pain medication but since he didn’t take any last time I assume he won’t take it this time.”

“All they do is knock me out so I can sleep,” Nick told her. “From what Doctor Foster told me last time, they’re actually counter-intuitive to the blood thinners and aspirin. They may make me feel better temporarily but they prevent the blood from thinning, and that’s the only thing that’s going to help at the moment.”

“Dissections take time to heal. Other than putting in a stent, there’s not much we can do,” Turner added.

Sky wasn’t happy with the response. She hated seeing Nick in so much pain. When Turner left, Nick pulled her down to the bed and rubbed her back in a comforting gesture.

“Thank you for going to bat for me. I’ll be okay. Once the blood thinners do their job, the headaches will lessen. Last time, I felt better after being on them for only a few days.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could do something.”

“You are, darlin’. You are.”

The discharge paperwork didn’t take nearly as long as it did in a military hospital. Twenty minutes later, they were walking back to her car. Nick still hadn’t mentioned anything about Gabby, and Sky wasn’t about to bring her up.

She had no idea if he thought she was babysitting or if he figured out she was her daughter. It wasn’t like Gabby looked anything like her. Maybe her hair would turn red or have auburn highlights when she was older. Her eyes could turn green as well, maybe show a little of her Irish roots.

They rode back to his house in silence. Nick rested his head against the window, pain once again etched in his face. He pushed himself too far today by feigning indifference to his pain. When they reached his house she followed him inside and set Gabby by the front door. She’d be awake any minute now and didn’t want her crying to disturb Nick.

However, if she was honest with herself, she wasn’t up for the single mother conversation right now. And by the looks of him, with his head hung low, Nick wasn’t either. He dropped to the couch and rested his elbows on his knees.

Sky stayed by the door unsure of how to help him. “You look like you could use a nap. Can I get you anything before I go?”

Slowly, still hunched over his lap, he lifted his head. The look of defeat and exhaustion veiled his entire body. His gaze roamed to Gabby resting peacefully in the car seat, then slid up to Skylar’s.

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