Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
She sucked in a breath and glanced at Jack who was staring down at Jameson intently. There were no smiles. No jokes. Ian moved next to Jack and looked just as serious.
Maybe she should have kicked them out of the room. Because she had a feeling that whatever Jameson told her that she needed to do would be taken very seriously.
“You need to put a heating pad on your hip and get some rest. And I mean that. You don’t look like you’re getting much sleep. And frankly, I’m worried about you. You’re too stressed, and it looks like you’ve lost weight.”
Monkeyballs.
That was like waving a red flag in front of Ian’s face. She glanced up at him. Yep, he looked ready to explode.
“I can’t just lie in bed all day.”
“You can get up to go to the bathroom, but that’s it.”
Marvelous.
“I have to look after Uncle Willy!”
All three men gave her matching frowns. Whoa. That was intense.
“You’ll do what Jameson says,” Ian barked.
Jack nodded.
Great. No one was on her side.
Really not cool. Maggie needed to find a man who always agreed with her.
“You hired the night nurse, right? To take care of William?” Jameson asked Ian.
Ian nodded.
She wasn’t used to this. To having people help her. That’s not the way her life worked. She did everything herself.
This was weird and a bit scary.
“We’ll make sure she doesn’t weight-bear on that leg,” Ian said. “How long should she stay off it?”
“At least twenty-four hours. Then she can try moving a tad, but you should ascertain her pain levels. If they increase, you need to call me or get her to the hospital. There’s some swelling so alternate cold and heat. An ice pack. Then, a warm bath. Don’t sleep on that side, sleep on your back or other side. Painkillers every six hours to keep on top of the pain.”
“I think some yoga will help. I could try that now.”
“No,” all three men said.
Sheesh. Did they rehearse that?
Because it seemed that way.
“I’ll be careful. Yoga and stretching is good for me.”
“Yes, once that swelling has gone down and you’re not experiencing sharp shooting pains,” Jameson told her.
Monkeyballs. She knew she should have downplayed her pain levels.
“I’m telling you right now, Shortcake, that if you don’t follow my instructions, I will move in here to keep a closer eye on you.” Jameson gave her a firm look.
Why did that sound so threatening?
And why did her body tighten in anticipation?
“Maybe you should anyway,” Jack said. “We’ve got two patients now. We could use the help.”
Jameson frowned. “You do. William could become . . . easily confused and upset.”
Bollocks.
Did he want her to tell Jack and Ian about Uncle Willy?
Should she?
“I have a shift starting in a few hours, but I’ll return tonight to check on them both. And we need to have a chat, Maggie. Alone.”
He gave her another pointed look.
She didn’t think that sounded like a good idea.
Ian frowned. “Is there something more we need to know?”
“Just worried about William getting confused about where he is and who you are,” Jameson said smoothly. “I might as well check on him while I’m here. Has he shown any signs of confusion?”
“No, he’s just tired and sore,” she told him.
“That’s good. I’ll be back.”
Once Jameson was gone, Ian kneeled down next to where she lay on the couch. She attempted to push herself up so she was sitting. He frowned, but helped her up.
“Let’s get you into these,” Jack said, holding up a pair of gray trackpants. “They’re mine. We will have to roll them over at the top, but I figure they’re loose and will be comfortable.”
Oh Lord.
She was going to wear his pants? Again, Ian held her up while Jack got her dressed.
“It would probably be easier to lie her down and dress her,” Ian suggested.
“Next time,” Jack said.
Umm. There wouldn’t be a next time. Right?
Jameson came back down. “Okay, William is doing really well. Sore and sleepy, but that’s to be expected. I’ll come back after my shift to check on everyone.”
She wanted to tell him that wasn’t necessary. But Ian and Jack nodded before she could say anything.
It seemed she was going to be taken care of.
Whether she liked it or not.
30
Maggie was so bored.
And she was worried about Uncle Willy. It was all very well for Jack and Ian to say they’d take care of him. But they didn’t know what was wrong with him . . . and she couldn’t tell them.
Was she doing the wrong thing? What if something happened to her uncle while she was just lying in bed? What if he needed something and she wasn’t there to give it to him?
Well . . . she didn’t have to stay in bed. They weren’t the bosses of her.
Yeah, but you want them to be.
Shut up, silly inner voice, you know nothing. I am a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man. Or men. Even if they are super-hot.