Carrie chuckled. “Her favorite word after Mama.”
I smiled. “If it doesn’t improve in the next twenty-four hours, please come back, but there’s a stomach bug going around. It should work itself out.”
“That’s it?” Carrie said. “No antibiotics or anything?”
“They wouldn’t help in this case. Antibiotics treat bacteria, not viruses. This is more like the common cold. You have to ride it out.”
Carrie frowned. “Okay. I just hate to see her in pain.”
“Of course you do. You can get some over-the-counter medication like PeptoKids that will soothe her tummy. Just make sure whatever you get is recommended for children her age.”
“Okay, thanks. Are we done, then?”
“Yes.” My curiosity got the best of me. “Is Ruby any relation to Hendrix Wood? He mentioned having a little girl, and I’ve recently gotten to know him?—”
Her polite smile of interest dropped away. “Please don’t bring up that man in front of my daughter.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She picked up Ruby. “We’re none of his business! I don’t care what he’s saying. He has no right to be in our lives.”
My heart plummeted. It was like hearing Tyler tell me my brother was a murderer who didn’t deserve my sympathy all over again.
I didn’t know what Hollywood did—or if her anger was justified. I only knew that everyone made mistakes. Some might be truly terrible. But without compassion, we were all lost.
“I’m sorry,” I said as she pulled open the door. “Please come back if Ruby isn’t feeling better soon.”
She gave me a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “If you’re smart, you’ll stay away from Hendrix, too. He’s a thief and a fool.”
She walked out, and I sank back against the exam bed. Well, that could have gone better. I’d thought only to make a connection, maybe share with her that Hendrix was trying to work a program and be a better man.
I’d struck a nerve and probably made the situation worse. Hollywood wouldn’t thank me for that. Neither would Dr. Meadows, I was sure. I’d let my curiosity get the better of me when I should have maintained professional distance.
I slunk back to the office to finish the chart before moving on to the next patient.
“You okay?” Liliana asked. “Mom and babe rushed out of here in a hurry.”
“I screwed up,” I said. “Asked her something personal that upset her.”
Liliana observed me with a frown. “Well, don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m sure you had a good reason.”
I shook my head. “Not really. Should have kept it to myself. I just…thought I might know the child’s father.”
“Uh-oh,” Liliana said.
I grimaced. “Yeah. He’s an ex-con, and she’snotready to forgive him for his past.”
Liliana squeezed my shoulder. “Like your brother, huh?”
I slanted her a look. Flynn had come by the hospital for lunch one day and met Liliana. Ever since, she’d been full of questions. But she’d proven her character enough for me to share the truth with her. Unlike Tyler, she was full of empathy.
“You know me too well,” I said. “I don’t know how you do it, but you make me talk too much.”
“It’s one of my superpowers,” she said with an impish grin. “How else can I be the best friend you’ve ever had?”
“Aw, don’t make me cry, you sap.”
I was kidding, but it was a little too true. Liliana’s words hit deep, because she really had become such a good friend in a short time. I wasn’t sure I’d ever met someone so easy to talk to.
