Page 23 of Cherry Tree Ranch

“Is there a reason I haven’t been notified about what’s going on with my daughter?”

Chapter Eleven

“Sir?” Mona turns round.

“What do you people think you’re doing? I haven’t received a single phone call.” He walks briskly to me. “Dahlia, what happened?”

The nurse crosses her arms. “Sir, we just recently got her stable, and to the best of my knowledge her family was notified.”

“And where the hell did you get that information?”

“From the young man who brought her in.”

Dad looks from her to me and back again, unimpressed. “A young man? Emery told me it was one of your friends,” he huffs. “This is exactly why Emery needs the truck. She should have driven you.”

Emery could have driven me here in Mom’s car, I think. But she let Cash do it.

“Sir, it’s important Dahlia stays calm right now,” says Mona. “If her adrenalin…”

“Don’t tell me what my daughter needs. What she needs is to get out of this place.”

My eyes meet the nurse’s.

“We’ll send her home as soon as it’s safe.” Mona’s arms are still crossed, and her feet are planted firmly on the linoleum. I admire her calm in the storm that is my dad. I wish I could say I’m the same when faced with his wrath.

A doctor with a pixie cut and teal scrubs walks into the room with her hands in her front pockets. She smiles confidently and steps up beside Dad. Her small hand comes out of the pocket, and she introduces herself to Dad.

“I’m the doctor in charge of your daughter’s care.” She turns to me. “I’ll be right back, Dahlia. Your dad and I are just going to step outside for a minute.” She raises an eyebrow at Dad and turns. Her commanding demeanour isn’t taking no for an answer, and Dad’s forced to follow.

Mona checks the drip on my IV and pats my arm. “You OK?”

“Yeah. Sorry he talked to you like that.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”

I shrug just as we hear Dad’s voice boom in the hall. Cash and the doctor are both talking to him. I listen carefully as Cash explains my symptoms and the doctor tells him about my recovery. It’s difficult to make out all their words until Dad says gruffly, “Why are you still here?”

I close my eyes and sigh. Mona’s shoulders fall.

Cash peeks in a moment later. “Hey. I’m gonna head out.” He points in the opposite direction of Dad. “You good?”

“Yeah. Thanks for everything, Cash.” I try to smile, but disappointment must be written all over my face because his gentle eyes soften.

“Any time, but I better go for now.”

“I completely understand,” I sigh, studying the way his jeans fit his thigh pressed against the door. My cheeks turn scarlet when he notices where my gaze lingers. I’m woozy, but not so much that I don’t know when I’ve been caught in the act. I find his eyes, but they do nothing to cool me down.

“I’ll see you.” He taps the doorframe and gives me and Mona a wave before heading in the opposite direction of Dad.

Mona blushes and looks at the monitor. Her fingers fumble to find the buttons on the screen, but then she starts pushing them firmly.

“Time to rest,” Mona says. “I’m not letting you leave until we’re sure those seizures are good and gone.”

“Thanks, Mona.” I close my eyes as she steps out. The beeping machines and humming lights fill my ears.

“Can you rest at home now?” Dad interrupts.

Can I pretend to be asleep and ignore him? Maybe. But I know I won’t.