“Of course. You and Charlotte wait in my car, and I’ll take care of it.”
He didn’t hand his niece to her, unsure about her injuries, just settled Charlotte back in her car seat.
Miss Wright climbed in beside Charlotte, understanding without being told that she was traumatized.
He shifted her purchases to his trunk, then grabbed her purse and cell phone from the passenger seat and gave them to her, earning a slight smile and a quiet thank-you.
As if he’d done anything for her except drag her into his crazy life.
An accident was bad enough, but then to feel threatened by some unknown lurker. He prayed Miss Wright wouldn’t be so frightened that she would run all the way back to Maine, leaving Charlotte alone again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Every breath sent pain across Delaney’s chest. She winced as she pulled a loose sweater over her head, careful to avoid touching the tender skin on her forearm where the airbag had left its mark—an angry red abrasion that stung under even the gentlest touch.
Sleep had come in fitful bursts, her body unable to find a comfortable position, her mind replaying the terrifying moment when her brakes failed. The car careening down the hill, the sickening crunch of metal—it had all rushed back each time she’d closed her eyes.
She moved slowly down the stairs toward the familiar sounds of breakfast being prepared. Thank God, Mr. Aylett cooked in the mornings. She’d have to figure out something to serve for lunch and dinner that didn’t require heavy pans.
When she entered the kitchen, he glanced up from the stove where he was flipping pancakes, a treat he only allowed because of the protein powder he added to the batter. His brow furrowed.
“What are you doing up?” His voice was gentle but firm. “I told you to sleep in.”
“You need to go to work.” She wasn’t about to let her negligence affect him. Whatever she’d done—or failed to do—to her car, that shouldn’t be his problem. In fact… “I wanted to apologize. I’m so thankful Charlotte wasn’t in the car with me, but she could’ve been.”
“It was an accident, Miss Wright.” He slid a pancake onto a growing stack. “No need to apologize. Do you want to eat before you go back to bed?”
“I’m not?—”
“I’m working from home today.” He gestured toward the table with the spatula. “And you’re taking the day off. Doctor’s orders.”
“Did you go to medical school between last night and this morning?” She attempted a smile.
“Don’t need to be a doctor to know you need rest.”
Noah’s kindness made something surge inside. The man had enough to worry about without adding her recovery to his list, yet here he was, taking care of her like she mattered.
“If you really don’t mind, that sounds wonderful.” She should argue, insist that she could push through to do her job, but the thought of crawling back into bed, of letting someone else handle the morning routine, felt like a gift.
She skipped breakfast and retreated to her room. The bed welcomed her aching body, and she fell into a deep sleep.
“Miss Laney?” Charlotte’s voice was barely above a whisper through the door, pulling Delaney from sleep.
She shifted, the pain in her sternum sharp. “Come in, sweetheart.”
Charlotte peeked around the door frame, her blue eyes wide with worry. “Uncle Noah says you have to come downstairs. There’s people here.”
The anxiety in the child’s voice had Delaney pushing herself upright despite the discomfort. “What kind of people?”
“Police people.” Charlotte’s lower lip trembled.
“I see.” She patted the bed beside her, and Charlotte climbed up, snuggling close. “The police just want to talk about my accident last night. Sometimes when people have problems, the police help them figure out what to do. That’s the only reason they’re here.”
Charlotte nodded but didn’t look convinced. Her small body remained tense against Delaney’s side.
“Everything’s going to be okay.” Delaney smoothed the child’s curls. “Your Uncle Noah is downstairs, isn’t he?”
“Uh-huh.”
