The Secret Heir

Camilla reached out to give Laurel a quick hug. “Sometimes the parents up here need a little TLC themselves,” she said understandingly.

Laurel returned the hug warmly. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for us these past few days. I’ll be sure and let the administration know what wonderful nurses they have working this wing.”

“You do that.” Camilla drew away and turned toward the door. “Well, good morning, Mr. Reiss. Ready to take your boy home?”

Laurel felt her smile fade a bit as she met Jackson’s eyes. He kept his own firmly in place when he spoke to the nurse. “You bet I am. Is he ready to go yet?”

“Oh, we still have to finish the paperwork and get the doctor’s signature. You should know our motto by now—everything happens at the doctor’s convenience, not the rest of us. But you can be taking his things out to your car if you’d like. That might save you a little trouble later.”

Jackson and Laurel spent the next few minutes packing up Tyler’s clothes and toiletries, along with the toys, books and games people had brought to entertain him. He refused to let go of his penguin or his hamster, but he allowed everything else to be packed with the promise that he could play with them again when he was home.

In addition to his belongings, there were several balloon and flower arrangements sent by friends and co-workers, and the remains of another fruit basket provided by Donna’s neighbors. Jackson had to borrow a wheeled cart from the nurses just to get everything moved to his car, which he’d parked in the deck.

By the time Jackson returned, Tyler was almost ready to go. Dressed

in a thin red hoodie with jeans and sneakers, he looked so much back to normal that it brought a hard lump to Laurel’s throat.

She watched as the entire staff from the wing told him goodbye in a cheery ceremony that probably took place several times a day. She knew it must bring joy to the nurses to watch their little charges going home so happy and healthy, when all too often there was a different outcome. She wondered how they were able to deal with losing any of their precious patients. In their place she was afraid she would get too attached. She’d always believed it took a special person to be a nurse, but after the past week, she was sure of it.

Tyler thoroughly enjoyed the wheelchair ride to the car. Buckled securely into his car seat, he talked incessantly all the way home, which saved Laurel and Jackson the need to make conversation.

Leaving the baggage to be retrieved later, Jackson carried Tyler into their house on his back, making an elaborate production out of the pony ride. Tyler squealed in delight, holding on to his father’s broad shoulders, happy to be home.

Carrying an armload of flowers, Laurel hovered close behind, trying not to be overprotective, but mindful of the need to protect Tyler’s incision. She knew Jackson was being careful, but she couldn’t forget the doctor’s warning that Tyler shouldn’t engage in any activities where he could hit his chest. No climbing trees, hanging from jungle gyms, riding his bike, contact sports or wrestling with other children for the next two months, she mentally recited. No limits on stair climbing or regular play, but he should be encouraged to nap if he was tired.

And there were no limits on pony rides from his daddy, she added, forcing herself to relax. Laughter had to be as good for him as any medicine.

“I’m home, I’m home, I’m home,” Tyler chanted, bouncing on Jackson’s shoulders.

Swinging the boy to the floor, Jackson grinned broadly. “I take it you’re glad to be back.”

Tyler nodded happily. “Can we go to the zoo now?”

Laurel couldn’t help laughing at the way Jackson’s jaw dropped. “So much for savoring his homecoming.”

“We’ll go to the zoo another time, okay, sport? Right now you’d better go see your fish. They’ve been missing you like crazy.”

“Okay.” Tyler dashed toward his room, dragging his penguin behind him.

Pushing a hand through his hair, which Tyler had left standing in spikes, Jackson turned back toward the door. “I’ll get the rest of the stuff.”

“I’ll go check on Tyler and then start lunch. I’m sure I already know what he wants.”

“Macaroni and cheese?”

“Bingo.” Anyone who knew Tyler was aware that he loved boxed macaroni and cheese almost as much as ice cream.

Jackson cleared his throat. “As appetizing as that sounds, I won’t be able to stay for lunch, I’m afraid. I have to get back to work. You’ll, um, be okay here?”

“Of course I’ll be okay. I’m home.”

She didn’t resent that he was going to work today, she assured herself. After everything that had happened on his job yesterday, she knew he’d done well to take even a few hours today. And hadn’t she promised Leslie Logan that she would work a case next week, even though she was officially on a leave of absence?

“I’m sure Mom will be over in a little while to help out.”

“She’s welcome to visit, of course, but I really don’t need any help. I’m just going to throw some laundry in while Tyler plays. I’m sure he’ll need some extra attention, but I don’t have anything else pressing to do other than play with him or read to him.”

“I’ll be home in time to read him a bedtime story,” Jackson promised. “I’ll try to be no later than seven.”