“That’s hysterical.” Claire chuckles. “I may have to call him that. Mr. Pratt. I love it.”
Landon rolls up in a wheelchair pushed by a medical assistant, and we’re moved into a small room off the ER. His chart has VIP stamped horizontally across it in red.
“No hiding that.” I point Landon to it.
“Did they recognize me?”
“No, but given Detective Robards’ recent interest and other things going on, I thought it was smart to have them admit you under an assumed name.”
Landon’s shoulders drop. “Good thinking.”
A tall woman walks in wearing green scrubs. “Hello. Is it Mr. Walsh or Mr. Pratt?”
“To admitting, I’m Mr. Pratt.”
All of a sudden, recognition crosses her face. “I completely understand.” She pulls up a seat between us. “I’m Dr. Whitefeather. Let’s get a look at your ankle.”
She begins to manipulate it, and Landon flinches. “You’ve definitely broken it. But I don’t see any tendon damage, which means you may escape surgery—at least for now.”
She makes some notes in his chart. “We’re going to put you in an air cast because of the swelling. I want you to wear it even to bed, and wrap it in plastic to take a shower.” She reaches behind me for a pamphlet. “Here’s how you manage it. I’d like to see you back in a few days.”
I nod.
“I have fifty people coming out to my ranch this weekend, and it’s been planned for several months,” Landon says.
She thinks for a moment. “It can wait until after Labor Day, and I’ll make you a deal. I do house calls. I can come to you on Tuesday, after Labor Day.”
“Sounds great.”
“Stay off the fat-tire bike for a while,” Dr. Whitefeather warns.
“I promise.”
I step out and call Frank. “No surgery,” I tell him. “We should be out in an hour or so. They’re putting him in an air cast.”
“Molly and I are in the waiting room.”
“Here in the hospital?”
“Yes, and Molly has dinner for the two of you when you’re ready.”
My heart melts. “I’m so glad. I’m starving, and she was teasing us all day with her pot roast smells.”
“Let us know, and we’ll pull the Range Rover up when you’re ready.”
“Thanks.”
I return to the room, and the doctor is working with a casting technician to fit the air cast.
She turns to me. “He needs to keep it elevated for the next three days and ice it down to help with swelling. Don’t let him take the cast off for any reason. The bone will not heal correctly and will require surgery if he’s not diligent.”
She turns to Landon. “You understand?”
“I don’t want surgery. The cast is to remain on always.”
She signs some paperwork and heads out the door. “I’ll be in touch about seeing you after Labor Day.”
“Molly and Frank are in the waiting room, and Molly brought dinner.”
Landon looks up to the fluorescent lights. “Thank the maker. I’m starving.”
I kiss his forehead. “Me, too.”
I call Frank to let him know we’re on the way as I wheel Landon down the hall.
When we arrive in the waiting area, Frank is gone, but Molly is standing with a picnic basket.
“Thank goodness you’re alright.” She gives Landon a hug. “I heard about the grizzly.”
She winks at him, and I know it’s going to be okay.
Chapter 30
Landon
I’m stuck in a chair with an ottoman and my foot up. The first time I tried to get up to go to the bathroom, both Tinsley and Molly were all over me. Now, I’m much better on my crutches after two solid days of practice.
Claire is our first arrival for Labor Day weekend later today. Tinsley is excited to have her here, and I am too—but also apprehensive. I know Tinsley had to tell Claire about the accident to get my medical information, but Claire told everyone, and then the text messages started. Giant eye roll.
Jackson: A grizzly bear? Your woman had better know how lucky she is.
Trust me, I know I’m the lucky one.
Mason: Nature is not your thing. Time to lose the ranch to me.
No way, I’m beginning to like it here. I’m staying put.
Mia: You do know the grizzlies aren’t in that part of the ranch because there’s no food source, right?
Hopefully, Mia will keep that little tidbit to herself.
Walker: Shall I bring a nurse to push your lazy ass around so you can keep up with us?
Me: Don’t you worry, I’m fast on my crutches, and I can still beat you at poker with my broken ankle. You wait.
Like it’s going to be difficult to beat him? Ha!
Viviana: Make sure you can get it up to play.
Viviana brought a guest to Maui. We’ve gotten together at these events in the past. I hope it’s not too awkward this time around. A lot has changed for me.
Jonathan: None of my team can explore. I don’t have enough workers comp to cover bear maulings.
Maybe we should order more satellite phones, now that I think about it.
Christopher: Your face is too ugly for a bear to chase.
Me: The bear wasn’t looking at my face. She saw my big dick and ran away, asshole.
Take that, pretty boy.
Tinsley has spent the last couple days working hard, and she’s planning on showing Mason an update to the software once he arrives. She’s cleared her workspace and moved it to the bedroom we’ve been sharing for the last few weeks.
Molly has spit-shined the entire house. There isn’t a hair out of place, and
