“Hey, kiddo,” Garrett said, smiling at Tara. When he saw Riley, it faded as he nodded at her. “The nurse caught me in the hall and gave me your discharge paperwork. Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes,” she said as he gazed at the ugly dress he bought her. Which reminded her she needed to pay him for it, too.
“I picked up your groceries and put everything in thecoolers. Tara, you’ll have me organized in no time,” he complimented her.
“What list?” Riley said, narrowing her eyes toward her sister.
“Garrett recently moved to the cabin. He asked me to make a list of the basics he’ll need,” she explained. “We agreed to trade chores since we’re not paying rent.”
“What kind of chores?” Riley asked as Garrett pushed the call button to let the nurse know they were ready to leave.
“Don’t panic, Riley,” he said softly. “Tara said you don’t like anything free. We agreed to laundry and cleaning chores.”
She nodded, not wanting to tamp down Tara’s excitement.
An aide arrived to wheel her down to Garrett’s truck. Tara climbed into the back seat while she unsteadily rose and glanced toward the vehicle. Garrett’s truck stood higher off the ground. The aide held onto the wheelchair as if studying the perplexing problem.
Garrett swore under his breath and moved the wheelchair out of the way while he held onto her for safety. He bent, picking her up in his arms and setting her on the seat. He grabbed the pillows from the back, supporting her leg and held one out for her arm. Riley stared at him as he tenderly moved her arm and placed the pillow under it.
“When’s the last time you took a pain pill?” he asked gently, searching her face.
Riley glanced out the dashboard window. “I’m good until we arrive home.”
“But Riley, you refused the pills when the nurse brought them to you. You said you can buy a whole bottle for what they charged for one,” Tara exclaimed.
Riley groaned and closed her eyes. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment at getting caught in a lie.
“Do you want to tell me the truth?” Garrett asked, his voice sounding pissed.
“I didn’t need it,” Riley lied. Her arm already throbbed, and her leg ached nonstop.
Garrett adjusted his hat low on his head as his expression turned thunderous.
She shrank into the seat in uncomfortable silence. Her usually quiet sister turned into a narc.
Garrett pulled into a drugstore drive-thru and handed the woman the prescription.
“Do you have an insurance card?” the cashier asked, pleasantly.
“No. I’ll pay cash. How long will it take to fill it?” he asked patiently.
“I’ll need about twenty minutes,” the cashier told him.
“Thank you,” he said, pulling out of the parking lot. He drove down the road and pulled into Papa Joe’s Pizza. He turned in his seat to face Tara. “I’m in the mood for pizza. By the time we get Riley settled, it’ll be past lunch. Can you come with me and tell me what you like on yours?”
Tara grinned as she shot from the truck before Riley could stop her.
“Wait, she has money in her backpack,” she said as Garrett started to close his door.
“I’ve got the pizza. Tara did me a favor with her list.”
“What about me? You don’t know what I like on mine,” she said angrily.
“I doubt you’d tell me the truth, but your sister will. I can’t tolerate lying, Riley. You need to keep ahead of your pain, and we still have to make the drive to the ranch. If you don’t want the pills because you think I’ll hurt you or yoursister, I’ll give you my license,” Garrett said, his voice sounding tense.
“You’ve already done enough. I appreciate it, but we can’t pay you anything. I won’t be able to work for a couple of weeks,” Riley stammered.
Garrett barked out a laugh. “You’ll be in a cast for six to eight weeks. And if I find out you tried to report for work before the doctor releases you, I’ll haul your ass out of there.”
