Page 68 of Nanny for the Doctor

Reed

Shutting the door as quietly as possible, I slip inside the house, my body aching from head to toe. That was one of my longest shifts on record, and the idea of sleep sounds so good that I might actually cry.

I set my bag down by the door, sliding off my sneakers and yawning. I make it to the living room sofa before I stop in my tracks.

Henry and Mae have passed out on the couch, and I see towels and bathing suits hanging up on a rack from the laundry room.

The familiar scent of chlorine hangs in the air, and as I come around to the other side of the couch, I have to stifle a laugh at seeing Henry’s hair.

Thick locks are sticking up in every direction, and his thin leg is swung over the back of the sofa. He’s been known to fall asleep in some interesting positions, and this one definitely takes the cake.

With a smile, I pull off the spare blanket from the nearby chair and lay it over Henry. He only stirs slightly, a slight snore cutting through his heavy breathing.

They clearly had a blast, and my chest pinches as I recall what Mae said before she hung up. I was supposed to be there.

But, like always, duty called, and getting away meant leaving people without a doctor they sorely needed. At least, that’s what I want to believe.

They could likely have handled it without me.It’s not like you’re the only doctor there.

Mae’s familiar words ring in my mind, and I sigh. She’s right, of course. The hospital has a huge staff.

Looking over at her, I see she’s curled up into a ball on the couch, making herself as small as possible.

“She’s probably cold,” I whisper.

I find another blanket for Mae, covering her with it as I fight the urge to tuck her hair behind her ear. I don’t want to wake her, not for anything.

I can see how much she did with Henry while I was working, and she more than deserves her rest.

Quietly, I head down the hall to my bedroom.

Unconsciousness quickly claims me as I lie back on my pillow, happy that at least Henry got to have fun, even if I couldn’t be there.

* * *

Sunlight sneakingthrough the cracks in my blinds signals morning has arrived, and I drag myself out of bed. I’d kill for a bit more sleep, but I know I have to get downstairs and help with Henry.

As I reach the kitchen, I find Mae and Henry attempting to make breakfast.

“Morning.”

Henry looks up, smiling. “Hi, Dad! We’re making pancakes. Do you want to help?”

I walk to the coffee pot, which I’m thrilled is full of fresh steaming caffeine-infused liquid, and pour myself a cup. This is going to be a three cup kind of day, I can tell.

“Sure, buddy.” I step up to the counter, eyeing the eggs, flour, sugar, and bowl set up in front of Henry. “Where do we start?”

Mae comes up behind Henry, setting down the milk and nodding at the fridge. “I picked up some bacon earlier this week, if you’d like to make that, too?”

“I will never turn down bacon.” I smile.

“Never?! What if it had poop on it?!” Henry giggles, and I frown playfully.

“Ooh, that’s a hard one. Can I clean it off?”

“Gross!” Mae and Henry cry out simultaneously, and I can’t stop my own laugh from erupting.

“Alright, alright. I’m kidding. So, I don’t see any mix. Are we making these pancakes from scratch?" I raise an eyebrow at Mae.

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