Bring Me Home For Christmas. Робин Карр

before you head home. The ankle might bother you for a few days—you might need pain medication. I want you to really think about it.”

       Her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t have anywhere to go. I have no family here….”

       “And the young man who was here all night?”

       “A…friend… I don’t know. I don’t think that would work out.”

       “Think about your options over the next day or two.”

       “Okay,” she said.

       While she was measured for crutches, she thought hard. It might be best just to take her chances. Or maybe she could tell her mother the truth and have her come to get her. Her mother would want to come and get her—so she could carry on for days about how insane it was to come to Virgin River in search of a solution to the Denny/Doug dilemma.

       Didn’t that make her feel nauseous….

       By the time the tech wheeled her back to her hospital room, Denny had finally returned with a large paper cup filled with coffee.

       “Hey,” he said, standing from his chair. “You’re looking pretty good!”

       “Thanks,” she said somberly.

       The tech put the brakes on the wheelchair. “Want me to send the nurse down to help you get into your clothes?” he asked, looking at her face and Denny’s.

       “Please,” she said.

       When he left the room, Denny sat again so he could be at her eye level. “You in pain, Becca?”

       “Oh, just a little uncomfortable. Not as bad as you’d think it would be.”

       “Are you so upset? It looks like you’ve been crying.”

       “Denny, I’m afraid I’m stuck here for a week at least. The doctor said I shouldn’t travel, especially not a long trip. I have to elevate the leg, I can’t have it dangling during a long car ride or even a long flight. I could get blood clots or other bad things.”

       “Then you’ll keep it elevated,” he said.

       “Denny, it’s going to be real hard to get around, to get cleaned up and dressed and all that. And I appreciate all you’re doing, but no offense, the idea of sitting in that room above the garage without even a TV while you guys hunt and fish and play poker… It sounds awful.”

       He let out a little huff of laughter. “Becca, I won’t do that to you. I’ll help you. I’ll make sure you have everything you need. I won’t leave you all alone. I promise. And when you can travel again, I’ll take you home. Why wouldn’t I do that for you?” He reached out and wiped a little tear off her cheek. “How long did the doctor say before you can travel safely?”

       “Ten days or so. He wants to see me again before I go.”

       “So I’ll make sure you’re taken care of, and then I’ll take you home.”

       While the nurse was helping her into the clothes Denny brought her, Becca started to wonder about a few things—like who would help her bathe and dress once she left the hospital? She couldn’t undress in front of Denny. Not now. Not under these circumstances. What a stupid mess.