“It’s not my fault Brad clocked out soon after I arrived,” Jennifer said haughtily and looked at Caroline. “Those locationsyou’ve pinpointed on the island are perfect for the scenes you’ve highlighted.”
“Thank you,” Caroline said, her mouth and throat dry and making her voice croaky. “Is there any water around?”
“Yes, there are water bottles beside your bed,” Finn told her. “Apparently, your self-appointed guardian angel insisted they were put there as he thought you might need water when you woke up.”
“The man clearly has feelings for you,” Jennifer said, and Caroline could hear the reluctance in her friend’s voice to admit that.
“He’s not a bad guy,” Finn stuck up for Brad and looked at his sister. “I’m sorry, sis. I know you and Brad have issues, but I like the guy, and his son and Tucker have become fast friends.”
“I feel so bad that I slept through our meeting,” Caroline said, taking a bottle of water Jennifer opened and handed to her. “I’ll message him later and apologize.”
“Or you could tell him when—“ Jules stepped out of the way and pointed to the chair she’d been sleeping on earlier. “Brad wakes up.”
Caroline’s heart took off, rapidly dancing in joy at the site of Brad’s long frame sprawled out in the recliner.
“The man was just as tired as you were,” Daniella’s voice came from the doorway. “Jules and Jennifer asked two male nurses to help them get Brad into the chair after he fell asleep beside your bed.” She walked into the room with her tablet in her hand.
“Can you believe he fell asleep while discussing the script?” Jennifer shook her head.
“You were a little boring, Aunt Jen,” Jules teased and giggled at the look Jennifer shot her. “I nearly dozed off myself.”
“Why, you little traitor.” Jennifer put her hand dramatically over her heart.
“I just need to give you a quick check, and if I’m satisfied and your headache is gone—“ Daniella didn’t finish her sentence.
“It’s gone,” Caroline told her.It’s almost gone.
“Then you’ve only got a few more hours of observation left before you go home,” Daniella told her and looked at the occupants. “Do you mind giving us a minute?”
“Sure,” Jennifer rose with Finn.
“We’ll get some coffee.” Finn looked at Daniella. “Is that okay?”
“Yes, Caroline can eat and drink normally,” Daniella told them.
Finn, Jules, and Jennifer left the room. Jennifer stuck her head back in. “What about the sleeping giant?”
“He can stay,” Daniella told them. “Unless one of you want to wake him or move him to the cafeteria?”
“Nope!” Jennifer shook her head. “It was hard enough getting him into the chair. He’s worse than Caroline when you disturb his sleep.”
“Then he’s fine where he is.” Daniella checked her wristwatch. “And he should be out for another fifteen minutes.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jennifer asked before Caroline did.
“When Brad returned to the hospital, he had a headache and asked if I could give him something for it,” Daniella explained. “I gave him a quick exam and found he was exhausted, so I gave him an excellent headache pill that also helps a person get some sleep.”
“You’re sneaky.” Jennifer’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at Daniella before she disappeared.
“He’s going to be angry,” Caroline pointed out as Daniella started her examination.
“I did warn him the medication would cause drowsiness, and he was fine with it,” Daniella said. She asked Caroline to look ina few directions as she did her tests. “He even signed the chart I opened for him.”
“You are sneaky,” Caroline agreed with Jennifer.
“No, I’m thorough and cover all my bases.” Daniella jotted on her tablet before folding it in her hands and smiling at Caroline. “You’re good to go.”
“Thank you, Daniella,” Caroline said. “I didn’t know you worked at this hospital as well.”
