Wholehearted by Cate Ashwood Read Free Book Online Page A

made the story more intense.
    Lucas was gone for less than an hour before they wheeled him back into the room, and then it was even more waiting, until Dr. Pryce finally arrived just before noon.
    “How are we feeling today, Mr. Hale?”
    “Way better.”
    “Good. Your X-rays look good, it looks like everything is healing nicely. There’s no sign of infection or complications from the surgery. You’ll need someone to help you, but you are free to leave us today.”
    Declan kept his mouth shut, waiting to hear what Lucas’s response would be.
    Lucas looked over to him, and then back at the doctor. “I really do feel much better. I don’t think I’ll need any help. I’m going to be fine on my own, really.”
    “I appreciate that you feel better than you did before, Mr. Hale, but the truth of the matter is that you only have the use of one of your arms. Your bandages will need to be kept dry when bathing and changed until you are all healed up. You are going to be on painkillers, and although they are not as potent as what you have been receiving here, they will limit your ability to drive. You are going to need help. I’ve asked the nurses to provide you with information about temporary home care. Have you had a chance to look it over?”
    “Well, yes, but I’m not staying in the area, and I can’t really afford to hire someone….”
    “I see. Well, there must be a friend or family member who can help you.”
    Lucas looked back at him, something unreadable in his eyes. Declan wasn’t sure if he was doing the right thing, but he couldn’t keep quiet any longer.
    “I told you before, I have a guest room, and you’re welcome to stay with me for as long as you need to.”
    “I really couldn’t do that.”
    Well, that was better than “no fucking way.”
    “Honestly, Lucas. It’s not a big deal. I have a house with lots of room. I live alone, and I work most of the time. I would be around to do things like bring home groceries and drive you to doctor’s appointments, but for the most part, I would be out of your hair.”
    Lucas looked like he was giving it serious thought, before he nodded once, curtly, and said, “All right, if you’re sure it’s not a hassle.”
    Declan wanted to jump up and down with excitement. He’d done it. He’d managed to get through to this guy and gain his trust, at least a little. Now he could work on getting Lucas to tell him exactly what had happened the day he was attacked.
    “I’m sure.”
    “All right then,” the doctor said cheerfully, “that’s all taken care of. I’ll hand your discharge papers off to the nurse. She’ll get you set up with meds for home and instructions on managing your bandages. If you have any questions, feel free to call your family doctor, or the nurses’s hotline. We’ll make follow-up appointments for you and we’ll see you in a few weeks. Take care.”
    The doctor left and Declan went to the nurses’s station to collect the papers and the directives. He wanted to give Lucas a few minutes to get dressed and gather his things before they left.
    The instructions were simple. Keep the bandages dry until everything underneath had healed completely. Change them every other day, or sooner if they’re looking a bit ragged or dirty. The fiberglass cast on his arm could get wet, but would need to be dried afterward. Medications were to be taken every four to six hours as needed, but not to be taken if the pain level was less than a four. Lucas was not to drive or consume alcohol while on the medication. The nurse wrote everything down for him and placed the extra bandages and a small bottle of pills in a plastic bag for him.
    When he got back to the room, he saw Lucas standing in the center looking angry and a little embarrassed.
    “What is it? What’s wrong?” Declan asked.
    “The doctor was right. I’m totally useless on my own.”
    Declan didn’t understand until he looked behind Lucas and saw the scrubs the nurse had brought for