Page 62 of Healing Fate

She got up and walked over to me, but then detoured at the last second to Micah. He didn’t hesitate to scoop her up into the safety of his big strong arms.

“My tummy hurts, Doc.”

“I know, sweetheart. We’re going to get you home so you can rest and feel better.” Then he turned back to Shelby and Ben. “BRAT diet. Bananas, rice, apples, and toast. Keep it simple for the next twenty-four hours. And keep them hydrated. This should pass quickly and that will be easy on their poor bellies. We’re really sorry this happened.”

“Kids will be kids. I’m just sorry we interrupted your night,” Shelby said. “Did you?”

Lucy shook her head. “Not yet. But some things are more important.”

I stroked Vada’s back and kissed her little hand as she clung to Micah and then turned to reach for me.

She buried her face in my neck and sniffed.

“You smell like Doc,” she announced making me blush.

“If you’re willing to trust us not to allow this to happen again, she’s welcome over here anytime,” Ben told us. “Really. They had a blast right up until the second they started paying the consequences of a really bad decision.”

We all laughed.

“Thank you both. Really.” I said as I let Micah guide us out.

“Call if you need anything at all. Dehydration is really the biggest concern and when they’re ready to eat again, just stick to the BRAT diet and they’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, Micah,” Shelby said.

The sound of a dry heaving kid was in the background.

“Not again,” Shelby cried as she ran back to her children.

As we reached the truck, Micah stopped and swore under his breath.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t have a car seat for her.”

“It’s fine. I’ll just hold her.”

He looked at me like I was insane.

“Micah, we have to get her home.”

Reluctantly he agreed.

“Just hold her tight. Maybe strap the seatbelt around the both of you.”

I laughed. “We’ve been through so much worse than a five-minute car ride without a car seat and survived. Just watch the road and drive. It’ll be fine.”

The five-minute car right took us fifteen minutes as he refused to go over fifteen miles an hour.

“I’m pretty sure we could have walked home faster,” I teased.

He put the truck into park and glared at me.

“We’re here safe and sound. That’s the important part.”

“You have a protective streak; did you know that?”

He rolled his eyes. “Only since the two of you walked into my clinic.”