“No, it wasn’t. The men who hit me are in jail.”
“Oh God, there was more than one.” Trenda gasped as she handed Karen a bag of peas.
“But Drake took care of them. It wasn’t a problem.” Karen smiled wanly.
He was at a loss. He didn’t want his sisters upset, but...
“They beat the hell out of her. Her ribs are bruised. She wouldn’t go to the hospital. She thinks she can go to school tomorrow, but that’s out. She needs to stay on this fucking sofa and rest!”
“Ooof.” Karen flinched.
Bella had wiggled her way past Piper and landed her chubby little arms on Karen’s tummy and was looking up at her with a smile on her face. Karen was wincing, and Trenda immediately pulled her off.
“It’s okay, she can be next to me,” Karen said.
“No, she can’t. You need ice and rest,” Drake decreed.
Karen looked over to where Piper stood seeped in guilt. “Piper, could you do me a favor?”
The girl looked up a tentative smile on her face. “Anything.”
“I sure could use a blanket to go with the ice.”
Piper brightened. “I’ll go get one.” She was off like a shot.
Even when she must have been feeling like hell, Karen was still figuring out how to make others feel good, Drake mused.
He turned to Trenda. “Do we have any aspirin?”
“I took some ibuprofen at my house,” Karen said as she placed the ice on her ribs. Piper was back with the blanket, and she placed it over her teacher. Drake watched as Karen struggled to get comfortable.
He went over to one of the armchairs and picked up a throw pillow. He brought it back. “Would this help?”
She nodded.
He helped her lift up, then positioned it behind her, gratified to hear her sigh of relief.
“Woman, you’re going to the doctor tomorrow and getting actual pain meds for your ribs.”
“Woman? Did you just call me woman?” She puffed out a laugh, then moaned.
“Don’t laugh.”
“Gee, I’ll try not to,” she said laughing weakly. “As for the doctor, I’ll make my own decisions.”
“Karen Eastman, this is not up for a fucking discussion,” Drake said as he raked his hand through his hair. “I’m the one who saw you almost pass out in pain at your house. It gutted me.”
“Uncle Dwake?” Bella had her hand out.
“Not now,” Trenda shushed her business-minded daughter as she adjusted her on her hip and walked toward the kitchen. “Piper, come with me,” Trenda called over her shoulder.
“But-” Her head swiveled between her teacher and her sister’s departing back.
“Now, Piper.”
Piper followed Trenda, and soon it was just the two of them in the great room. Drake pulled up the ottoman so he could get close to Karen.
“You’re going to the doctor,” he said quietly.
“I’m a big girl, I make my own decisions. I’m not one of your sisters.”
“Trust me, I don’t think you’re one of my sisters. But you’re going.”
“We’ll see how I feel in the morning. Maybe I’ll feel so good I’ll want to go teach my class.”
“Is it your nature to argue?”
Karen opened her mouth and then shut it with a frown. “Actually, it’s not. I think it’s you. You bring out the best in me.”
“Well stop being a brat, okay.”
She sighed. “Okay, I hurt and I agree, I’m going to the doctor’s tomorrow.”
“Halla-fucking-lujuiah.”
She gave a shallow laugh, then her eyes started to drift shut.
“There you go, see if you can get some sleep,” he whispered.
“All right,” she said, her voice slurred.
Drake bent over and adjusted the blanket.
He lifted his head and peered over the sofa and saw his little sister holding two mugs and heading towards him. He got up and went to her.
“Thanks, Piper. Karen’s sleeping.”
“Did you talk her into going to the doctor?” Piper asked as she handed him his coffee.
“What do you think?” he asked as he took a sip of his coffee.
“Yes.”
“You’d be right.” He nodded his head, and they walked down the hallway toward the dining room. “What have you ladies been doing in the kitchen?” he asked Piper.
“Trenda is making chili. She thought something soft for Miss Eastman to eat, would be good.”
“You mean she’s not making it because it’s my favorite?” Drake asked.
“It is?” Piper asked.
“I’m pretty sure. It depends. Does she still put Fritos in it?”
“Yep, and she’s going to melt some Velveeta cheese on top.”