Page 33 of Nanny for the Doctor

“Would you…would you please come back with us? If Henry wakes, I’m sure he’ll want to see you there.”

Reed’s brows pinch together as he asks, and I can sense the trepidation lingering there. He doesn’t seem to enjoy asking for my help like this.

I noticed how dejected he looked when Henry wanted me with him. It’s exactly what I’ve been warning Reed about.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll follow you there.”

* * *

We return hometo Reed’s, having loaded up Henry in the car. As I drove behind Reed on the way here, I couldn’t help but dwell on all the things I’ve been trying to tell him.

His son needs him around more often. It’s a simple fact, and if it doesn’t happen soon, Henry’s going to continue putting his trust in other people.

When I pull up, I see Reed lifting Henry out of the car. His sleepy eyes hover open for a split second, and then he lays his head back down on Reed’s shoulder.

I open the door for them, and Reed walks in and down the hall to the living room. He sets Henry on the couch, who stirs, and then Reed goes into the kitchen.

“Hey, buddy. You’re home.”

Henry rubs his eyes as he looks around. “Why am I downstairs? I just want to go to bed.”

“I’m not sure. Let me ask your dad.”

I step away, patting Henry’s knee, and find Reed in the kitchen.

“Hey, Henry is really tired. Should we just take him up to bed?”

Reed is pouring some children’s Tylenol into a measuring cup. “I want him to take a little bit of medicine before we do. It’ll help him sleep.”

“Oh, okay.”

I follow Reed back out to Henry, and he sits on the couch near his son, who’s already started to fall back asleep.

“Hey, bud. Can you take this for me, please? Your medicine from the hospital will wear off soon, so you need more.”

“I don’t want to. Go away.” Henry swats at his father’s hands.

Sighing, I step forward, sitting on Henry’s other side.

“Hey, come on. Just take a bit of medicine, and then we’ll bring you right up to bed. Okay?”

“It’s gross.” Henry frowns.

“It’s not gross. It’s sweet. Look.” Reed dips the tip of his finger in the cup and licks off the sticky clear liquid.

Henry eyes him. “Hmph. No. I just want to sleep.”

“Buddy, please.” Reed’s shoulders sag.

“Henry—” I take the cup from Reed “—open up for me, okay? You don’t even have to do the work.”

After a moment, he does, and I pour the Tylenol down the hatch. Henry swallows with a grimace.

Reed reaches under his son, lifting him up and heading for his room. “Alright. Let’s get you upstairs.”

I follow them up and watch from the door as Reed turns on the nightlights in Henry’s room and lays him down in bed.

“I want Mae to tuck me in,” Henry grumbles with closed eyes.

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