Page 13 of Yours Truly, Fall

Autumn’s pretty smile softens while she enters the room, and the sweetest pink shades her cheeks. “Keep saying things like that, and you’ll be convincing the doctor you need to stay a few more days. They might even need to order another CT scan.” She types something in after referencing my heart rate regulating, then glances at Tuck across the room from her. “Congrats on the engagement, by the way. I ran into Tracy yesterday at the farmers’ market. Beautiful ring. She mentioned it cost you twenty cards. I didn’t know what she meant, but it’s a stunner.”

How does he know her, but I didn’t? We practically run in the same circle, the one circle that exists with anyone in their twenties and thirties in this small town.

He sits down again, sitting forward with his forearms on his knees. “Thanks. She has good taste. She picked it out last year. You know,” he says, doing air quotes. “Just in case. Made it hard to screw up.”

“You gave her exactly what she wanted,” Autumn adds. “That’s very sweet, Tucker.”

Stuck in the middle of them conversing like old friends has me feeling like a third wheel. He says, “I haven’t seen you around in a while.” Relaxing into the conversation, he sits back and drapes his arm over the back of the couch. “How have you been?”

“Too busy for my own good.” Her head stays down, and her eyes are focused on the monitor. “I went to watch the Breakaways play in Boston, but otherwise, I haven’t been getting out much lately around town. Just work and rest. Rinse and repeat.”

“Sorry to hear that. Though I can relate,” he says, thumbing over at me. “Especially with this guy laid up in the hospital.”

Her smile grows again as she glances from him to me. “He’ll be back on the job soon enough. That is, if he lets himself heal properly.” She turns toward him, leaning gently against the bed rail. “As for me, it’s not all bad. Just enjoying time with my family.” Autumn takes the remote hanging off the bed and angles it up a little before tucking it between the mattress and railing for me. “How’s that?”

“Better.” Her smile shining on me is better than any visitor could make me feel. No offense to Tucker.

As if I’m not here, he continues, “How are your sisters?”

I keep my expression neutral, though my gaze volleys between the two of them, longing for more information about this woman. Leave it to a good wingman to get the details.

“They’re good.” She leaves her mouth open a moment longer like there might be more to say but doesn’t. I exhale the disappointment. “I’ll let you two visit. Need anything before I leave?” Did she bat her eyelashes or was that my imagination?

I’d love to respond, “Your last name, your number, favorite flowers, ring size, and if you’re free next week.” What if our lives are supposed to be intertwined like Tuck’s was with Tracy? I don’t want to deviate from fate. “I’m good,” I reply to my chagrin. The fall from that ladder apparently stole my nerve as well.

With a nod, she turns away from me. “Larry is on duty if you do need anything.”

“Larry?” Annoyance weighs down my brow when she looks back and laughs.

“He’s a great nurse. You’re in good hands, Mr. Culver.”

“Mr. Culver?” Tuck says with a chuckle. “Damn, dude, you’re getting the royal treatment around here.”

Autumn is still smiling when she says, “Good seeing you, Tucker, and congrats again.”

“Thanks.” The door hasn’t fully closed when he says, “Lucky bastard. If I were single, I’d be staying here as long as I could if Autumn was my nurse.”

“I haven’t been freed yet. But if I can get out of here, I’m running.” I don’t have to see my back injury to know the lie that escaped my lips. I just started standing yesterday. “Or walking or even getting wheeled out of here. If I’m released, I’m gone, but I can’t say I won’t miss the attention.”

“I bet.”

The door opens again. I turn, expecting to see Autumn . . . hoping more like it, but a dark-haired man in a white coat fills the doorway instead. “I’m Dr. Ludlow.” His eyes pivot to Tuck, then back to me. “Is now a good time?”

“Great time,” I reply, “if you’re letting me out here.”

A humorless laugh escapes him before he closes the door behind him. “Not quite yet. We’d like to run a few more tests today. If all goes well, the good news is we might be able to release you under certain conditions.”

“Whatever I have to do.”

“Good.” He moves to the monitor and scrolls through the notes. “I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”

I shift, this time remembering to keep pressure off my right arm and shoulder. “Let’s get ahead of ourselves and focus on the positive. What gets me back home faster?”

“We don’t rush anything, but all signs show huge improvement. If the tests come back showing the positive progression we’re looking for,” he says, turning toward me, “I think we can release you with the help of home care.”

“Home care? Like to drive me? Tuck can do it.”

Tuck sits forward on the couch. “Happy to drive him home.”