“Yeah.”
“She really can’t sleep enough over the next few days,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m not exaggerating. If you can make her sleep eighteen hours a day that can only help. I know that might not be possible, but try.
“Visitors should be kept at a minimum,” Fitzgerald continued. “Keeping your sister away is going to be a trial, but Mandy is going to be miserable. Her body is going to be screaming at her to stay still, but she’s headstrong, so she might try and pretend the opposite.”
James rubbed his jaw, nodding as he took in the doctor’s information.
“Also, even if she doesn’t show it, every time she moves she’s going to be in terrible pain,” Fitzgerald said. “Every time she’s jostled, she’s going to want to scream. Every time someone touches her, she’s going to want to yell. So, when I say it’s important to keep her quiet, I mean it’s also important to keep her still.”
“I understand,” James said, swallowing hard.
Dr. Fitzgerald handed James a business card. “If you have any questions, any at all, don’t hesitate to call me.”
James took the card and shoved it in his back pocket. “Thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“This is going to be a rough week,” Fitzgerald said. “Just keep in mind, she will recover.”
“She’d better,” James said. “I can’t seem to function without her. A week or two of serving as her personal slave doesn’t seem like much of a sacrifice right now, especially given the alternative.”
Dr. Fitzgerald cocked his head to the side, considering. “You might feel differently in twenty-four hours.”
GETTING Mandy to the second floor of Hardy Brothers Security proved to be a bigger task than James was anticipating. She couldn’t climb the stairs on her own, and he couldn’t carry her up in the way he normally would because of her injured back. Finally, he forced her to face him and wrap her arms around his neck. He then hoisted her up, his arm under her rounded rear, and then he proceeded to take it one step at a time. It was slow going, but once he had her inside of the apartment it was worth it. She smiled for the first time in days.
“Home,” she murmured.
“Okay, blondie,” James said, glancing around the apartment. “You’re locked in her for several days. You’re my patient. Whatever you need, I’m going to get for you. Whatever you want, just tell me. I’ll even get you a little bell so you can ring it and really annoy me.”
Mandy shook her head. “You’re getting off on this, aren’t you?”
“Not even close,” James said. “I think the first thing we need to do is get you in some pajamas.”
“I want to take a shower,” Mandy argued. “I smell.”
“The doctor said you can’t take a shower for two more days.”
“Oh, come on,” Mandy protested. “I feel gross.”
“No.”
“Pretty please?”
“That’s not going to work on me,” James said. “I’m here to give you whatever you want – as long as it doesn’t get in the way of your recovery. Now, suck it up. In two days you can take a shower. I’ll get you some pajamas.”
It took some doing, but James finally managed to get her into a pair of fuzzy sleep pants and one of his oversized T-shirts. Once he had her settled on the couch, he moved to the kitchen. “Do you want something to eat?”
“No.”
“Are you still pouting?”
“Maybe.”
“Do you want me to give you a few minutes to get it out of your system?”
“Whatever.”
James turned his back so she couldn’t see him roll his eyes. She’s in pain, he reminded himself. She doesn’t mean to be obnoxious.
“Well, we have absolutely nothing to eat here,” James said. “I think we’ll order out tonight. What do you want?”
“I want a shower.”
“How does Thai sound?”
“Worse than a shower.”
James slammed his hand down on the counter, immediately regretting his actions when he saw her jump – and then grimace – out of the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine,” James said. “I’m tired, and I’m taking it out on you. I know you want a shower. I get it. I can’t help you there. Can you please just try to work with me a little?”
“Thai is fine.”
“Great. I’ll order it now.”
TWO HOURS later, James found himself in another quandary.