Brooks was afraid to leave me home alone today while he went to work. In fact, I’ve been home for two days, and I’m feelingmuchbetter, but he still didn’t want to leave me.
He didn’t have to worry.
Because I have people in our house pretty much around the clock, whether he’s home or not. Harper and Ava just left after dropping by with breakfast from my restaurant. They stayed for an hour, chatting and eating with me, making sure I was okay before they left to each go to work.
My crew has been incredible. Noah’s fine with working on the baking side of things for the foreseeable future even though I assured him I’ll be back next week. My staff has basically informed me that they can handle everything for as long as I need them to.
They’re sweet, and I appreciate it, but I’ll be going back to work as soon as the doctor gives me the okay.
I’ve just hobbled out of the bathroom—shit, this leg still hurts like a bitch—when my phone rings with a FaceTime call from Darby.
With a smile, I sit on the couch and accept the call.
“Hey, friend.”
“I hear you’re causing all kinds of trouble over there,” she says with a frown. “Falling through ceilings and having séances and shit.”
I snort at that. “No séances but falling through the ceiling is true enough.” I reach for my water and take a sip. “That wasn’t fun, let me tell you. I assume your sisters filled you in?”
“Yeah, and it scared the shit out of all of us.”
“Same, girl. Same. But I’m going to be okay. I need to rest for about a week, and then I'll be able to return to work. My leg took the worst of it. Bad cut up the outside of my thigh, thanks to a jagged piece of rotten wood.”
“Yikes.” She winces.
“I’ll have a gnarly scar, but as long as I don’t get an infection, it’ll be okay.”
“I have a little concoction that I make for scars. I’ll send you some. It’s just coconut oil and vitamin E and some other stuff, but it really helps.”
“Hey, I’ll take it.” I smile at her. “When do you get to come home for good again?”
“Probably not until the spring,” she replies. “But I’ve applied for several internships, and I’m just waiting to hear if I get hired for any of them. They’re all around that area.”
“You could work with your brother.”
Holden co-owns the biggest cattle ranch in Montana with the Wild family.
“They must have a ton of large animals.”
“They do, but I donotwant to work for my brother. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, but he’s stubborn, and I’m stubborn, and I want to continue loving him.”
I laugh and nod in agreement. “I can see that. Did Ava ever get you info for her brother’s ranch?”
“Actually, yes. That’s one that I applied for.”
“Cool. Well, I’m excited to have you home for good. You must be busting your ass because you look tired.”
“I don’t sleep a lot,” she admits. “And yeah, the work is grueling. But I do love it. I was up all night helping a horse have a baby. It’s not the right time of year for that, but here we are.”
“That’s pretty awesome.” My eyes are getting heavy because my pain medicine is kicking in. “I’d better go take a nap.”
“You do that, and I’ll send you the ointment.”
“Thanks, Darby.”
“You bet.”
After I hang up, I don’t even bother going into the bedroom to nap. I just lean my head back on the couch, prop my feet up on the ottoman in front of me, and close my eyes.
