Fuck. Like the splinters on the front porch I had seen as I walked up.
He tossed the bloodied alcohol wipes into the sink as well then grabbed gauze and an ace bandage. He layered some sort of goopy solution on my shin, causing me to wince as I tried not to jump.
He wrapped up my leg and then offered me some Tylenol and a glass of water.
“You good?” he asked as he took the glass from me.
“I think so, yes.”
“Good. Can you walk?”
I jumped down from the kitchen counter as his arms reached out to catch me. I collapsed against him, hissing as pain shot up through my knee. I’d really done a number on my shin , which meant I wasn’t going to be able to clean the house like I’d planned.
And how the hell was I going to afford to repair that damn staircase?
“Yep. I can walk,” I said.
“Doesn’t look like it,” Brian argued.
“Would you put on a damn shirt, please?” I asked.
His eyes locked hard onto mine before he turned his head toward the little girl in the corner. I sighed before I mumbled an apology, then began limping over to the doorway.
I needed to get back to the cabin and figure out what the hell my next move was going to be. I’d had enough in savings to last me three months, but now that the cabin would need extensive repairs, I had no idea how I was going to make it livable on what I had.
I was feeling overwhelmed, and I was ready to leave.
“I’m Lanie,” said a little voice.
“Lanie, back up,” Brian said.
My watery gaze drifted over to the child in the corner as she came up to me.
“Hello, Lanie. I’m Amanda,” I said.
“I hear with my ears,” she said.
“That’s good. What do you do with your eyes?” I asked.
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as a smile broke out across Lanie’s chubby little cheeks.
“See!” she said.
“Good girl.”
I turned toward the door, but I was halted in my tracks by a small little tug at my jeans.
“Lanie, let her go,” Brian said, sternly.
“Food?” Lanie asked.
My eyes looked over to her nanny who was now scurrying to her side.
“Let’s get you something to eat,” she said.
“No. Amanda food,” Lanie said.
“Are you asking me if I’m hungry?” I asked.