“Just Tylenol. I don’t want to be groggy or out of it with my crafty six-year-old close by. She’s sweet but a handful. Don’t get me started on the credit card phone mischief that happened a few months ago.”
He chuckled. “You said you get the cast put on tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Doug is going to watch Emily for me.”
Reggie frowned. “You’re not driving yourself to the hospital, are you?”
“No. I plan to grab a Lyft or Uber.”
“I can take you.”
She stared at him.
“What?”
She blushed, which he found fascinating. What did she have to be shy about? This same woman who’d worried she might have drooled when unconscious and mentioned her unshaved legs in the hospital was shy about accepting a ride?
“I, ah, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“Actually, I have to head to the hospital tomorrow, so it’s no bother. And you live pretty close.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I’m in the neighborhood.”
“That’s nice.” She smiled again. “I would love a ride, but I really don’t want to be a burden.”
“Nah. I wouldn’t offer if I had plans. But I’d intended to see a friend tomorrow at the hospital. He’s a nurse, not sick or anything.” He’d call Neal tonight and set something up. He wasn’t lying, exactly. Nealhadbeen nagging him to hang out more. “What time’s your appointment? Or do you just show up and take a number?”
“It’s at ten thirty.”
“Perfect. I can drop you off then catch my buddy for an early lunch. And I can drive you home. It shouldn’t take long.”
“You’re sure?”
He nodded. “It’s really no trouble unless you’d rather go by yourself. You might have errands or something after.” Okay, he was good, giving her an out. Not sounding as if he was desperate to spend more time with her.
“No, no. I’d love a ride.” She looked relieved.
Before Reggie could say more, the doorbell rang. Emily yelled, and the dog barked, both racing for the door at the same speed, though Reggie saw Frank, sans harness, still limping a little.
“I’ll use the peeper, Mag-Mom,” Emily said.
Reggie blinked. “Mag-Mom?”
“It’s a phase.” Maggie rolled her eyes. “Maggie-Mother was last month. Now I’m Mag-Mom. Hopefully, I’ll be back to Mom or Mommy again soon.”
He chuckled and peeked out of the kitchen to see Emily on the small stepladder looking through the peephole.
“It’s Sherry!”
Reggie winced. “She’s pretty excited, eh?”
“You mean she’s loud.” Maggie stepped next to him to watch her daughter, still sipping her drink. “It’s like she thinks I can’t hear since I broke my arm, which I know makes no sense. She’s always shouting.” To Emily, Maggie said, “Stop yelling and let Sherry in, you little goofball.”
Sherry and her mom soon entered and exchanged pleasantries, though the mom gave Reggie a thorough once-over that made him a little uncomfortable. Sherry’s mom departed, and Sherry, after shaking his hand with wide eyes, went with Emily and Frank to play in Emily’s room.
He saw Maggie watching him. “What?”
