The Rancher's Redemption
After an interminable hour, Dr. Tio agreed that she could take Roman home. They lived right across the street from the medical center. If there were any problems Lizzie could get him back in a flash. He gave her a lot of information about anaphylactic shock, and a prescription to fill at the pharmacy for EpiPens, which she would need to have around Roman twenty-four seven.
He’d already sent the prescription through to his pharmacist so while Roman was being checked out, she went to pick it up.
“Hey.”
Adam Miller was just coming out as she went in, a bag of prescriptions in his hand. He must have been there for ages. He paused to hold the door open for her.
“How’s Roman doing?”
She didn’t think he’d ever used her kid’s name before, or suggested he knew she even had a son. In such a compact town, it was hard to avoid people, but he’d done a pretty good job of it until now, hiding up at the family ranch, rarely going to church, and only speaking to her when it was absolutely necessary.
“Ro’s doing good.” She gestured at the pharmacist. “I’ve got to pick up some EpiPens for him.”
“Makes sense.” He lingered by the door, his expression grave. “Do you need a ride back home?”
Surprised, she looked up and met his gray-eyed stare. When was the last time they had actually looked each other right in the eye? She had a terrible feeling she knew exactly when, and tried not to think about it.
“Not really. I, I mean we, live right here—over Ted Baker’s mechanics shop.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“How do you know?” Lizzie inquired suspiciously.
“It’s a small town.” He looked over at the gas station and then back at Lizzie. “It’s still a long way to carry him.”
“I wasn’t going to—” She stopped, and let out a long weary breath, her shoulders dropping. They’d been friends once. He was as stubborn as she was, and she wasn’t going to argue when she really needed his help. “Okay, thank you. I’d appreciate it.”
He nodded. “I’ll meet you in the waiting room.”
* * *
Adam wanted to kick himself for offering to help Lizzie again, but she’d looked so . . . defeated, and worn down that he hadn’t been able to stop himself. He was already late getting home. Another ten minutes carrying the boy over to her place wouldn’t make much difference. He called Ines and said he’d be with her in the next hour, and texted Kaiden to start dinner.
The door into the waiting room opened, and an older woman came in and scanned the room. Adam automatically got to his feet as she faced him.
“Where is she?”
“If you can tell me who you are looking for, I might be able to help you,” the receptionist pointed out brightly.
“Lizzie Taylor.”
“And if she was here, who wishes to speak to her?”
“Coretta Smith.”
Just as Adam was about to intervene, Dr. Tio emerged from the inner sanctuary of the office carrying Roman wrapped in a blanket.
“Ah, here you are.” He smiled at Adam and then down at the boy. “Your taxi home has arrived.”
Roman giggled as Dr. Tio passed him over to Adam, and then went quiet as he studied Adam’s unfamiliar face. He had Lizzie’s blue eyes and sweet smile, but not her reddish hair. His was brown and curly.
“Hey, I’m a friend of your mother’s,” Adam said gruffly.
Lizzie came up beside Adam and put a hand on his arm. “This is Mr. Miller, Roman. He’s the one who helped bring you to Dr. Tio’s.”
“In his truck?”
“Yes.”
“Cool.” Roman settled himself more firmly in Adam’s arms. “Can we go home now?”
“Sure.” Lizzie ran ahead of Adam and held the outside door open. “Thanks again, Dr. Tio.”
“You’re welcome.”
Adam ducked his head slightly to make sure his Stetson cleared the doorframe, and stepped out into the warm evening air, the boy safe in his arms.
“Lizzie Taylor!”
He’d forgotten about Coretta Smith, whom he remembered lived next door to Gabby. Maybe she’d seen the accident and wanted to make sure the little boy was okay.