“Go. I hope she’s okay.” Evelyn nodded and took the picnic basket from him.
He sped off after Emily as she led him back to where Violet was sitting at the edge of the beach, an EMT by her side.
“Violet, are you okay?” He sank onto the sand beside her. Blood covered her temple, and she looked shaken. And angry. “Vi, what happened?”
“She tripped. Landed on that.” The EMT pointed to a large piece of driftwood in front of them.
“I was watching them finish that large sandcastle.” Violet nodded her head in the direction of the contest, then winced at the movement. “Wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to need some stitches… and an X-ray of that arm. I’m pretty sure it’s broken.”
“It can’t be. I don’t have time for any of this.”
“It’s going to be okay. Don’t worry.” He helped the EMT get Violet up standing. “I’m going to take you to the emergency room. We’ll get that cut looked at and an X-ray.”
“I’ll call ahead and let them know you’re on your way.” The EMT started gathering his things.
“Thanks for checking her out.” He turned to Emily. “And thanks for coming to get me.”
Violet looked a bit pale, and that worried him. He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Here, let’s go.” Then he froze. They’d walked to the festival, and it was clear that Violet was in no condition to walk back to the resort. “I don’t have my car…” And for that matter, he had no clue where the nearest emergency room was.
“I know Evelyn drove today because she loaded her car with food. I’ll go get her and have her meet you over at the end of that street.” Emily pointed to a street at the edge of the park.
“Thank you.” He nodded, grateful for the help. “Come on Violet, let’s get over there.”
They headed toward the street and didn’t have to wait long for Evelyn to pull up in her car. He helped Violet in and slid in after her. “Thanks so much for this.”
“It’s no problem.” Evelyn frowned as she looked at Violet. “You okay?”
“Stitches, probably. And maybe a broken arm. How am I going to paint all those cottages with a broken arm? And it’s my right arm. And, of course, I’m right-handed.” Violet grimaced.
“Don’t worry, sis. I’ll paint.” He couldn’t stand to see the pain etched on her face.
“You can’t do everything. It would take forever. And I don’t have the funds to pay someone to do everything.” Violet sighed. “I’m so annoyed at my clumsiness. This is such lousy timing.”
“It’s going to be okay, I promise.” He’d work night and day if that’s what it took. He wanted to erase the troubled look on Violet’s face. Take care of her. He was her big brother. It was his job to protect her. That’s what big brothers do.
Evelyn parked the car near the emergency room, and the two of them helped Violet inside. After they took Violet’s information, a tech came to take her back to an exam room. “I’ll wait here,” he said as they rolled her away in a wheelchair. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Evelyn led him over to some chairs in the waiting area and sat down beside him. “She’ll be okay.” She gently rested her hand on his arm.
He stared at the hand as worry raged through him. “I know. It’s just… I can’t stand to see her like that.”
“They’ll get her all fixed up. They have great doctors here.”
“I appreciate the ride. But I don’t know how long this will take. You should get back to the festival.” Though he was grateful for the company.
“I’m not going anywhere, either. I’ll wait with you, then I’ll drive you home. Emily said she’d stay at the booth and help Livy and Heather. Blake offered to help, too.”
“You’ve got a great family.”
“You do, too. And she’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”
Evelyn tried to keep him occupied as they waited. After an hour, he took to pacing the floor. Finally Violet was wheeled out to them, a bandage on her forehead and a cast on her arm.
“She needs to take it easy for a few days. And she’s had some pain meds. She’ll be a bit unsteady,” the nurse said to him.
Violet looked up at him with a weak smile. “See? All better.”
