for a possible concussion, though. The motorcycle couldn’t have been going very fast, but she’s still got a nasty bruise to show for the lack of a helmet.”
April’s hands trembled, and her shoulders fell, another tear tracking its way down her cheek. Her voice was shaky but filled with fury when she spoke again. “Despite everything he did to me, I never thought he’d be so careless with her. How could he?”
My heart thudded against my ribs like it wanted to reach out to hers. I hated situations like this one with a passion. Men like Craig weren’t men at all, if anyone asked me. Not that they had.
If I hadn’t heard the altercation outside and Hunter telling her that security had been called, I’d have been dragging him out of there myself. He might have left the premises with a few bruises of his own if I had, though—which wouldn’t have been good for anyone concerned.
Adi let out a soft moan, drawing our attention to her. April’s gaze found mine, confusion dimming the usually bright orbs. “I thought you said you gave her something to sleep?”
“We did, but it was very light. With the possibility of a concussion, I didn’t want to risk giving her any of the heavy-duty stuff. We’d also never give any of that to a child without first obtaining consent, and even then, only if they really needed it. Adi just needed a little nap to calm down, nothing more.”
“Why?” April whispered furiously. “Wasn’t she calm?”
I shook my head but didn’t offer any further explanation once I saw Adi’s eyes blinking open. I smiled down at her, running my hand over the top of her head again and reaching for my flashlight with the other.
“Hey, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?”
“You’re still here?” she croaked, then spotted her mother standing next to her bed. “Mommy! You came.”
“Of course, I did, baby.” April swiped the tears from her eyes while Adi seemed to be holding back a flood of her own. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. What happened?” She blinked slowly, a tiny crease appearing when she pulled her brows together. “I don’t remember falling asleep.”
“We gave you something to make you feel a little better. Do you mind if I take another look at you now that you’re awake?”
She shook her head, and April nodded her assent when I glanced at her. I smiled at my new patient, raising the light to her eyes. “Okay, would you mind looking at me for a sec?”
Once we were done with the basics and there was no real cause for immediate concern, I moved on to what I knew would be a problem area. “Can you try moving your arm for me, honey?”
I touched her injured arm lightly when she didn’t move it, tapping each of her fingers in turn. “Do you feel that?”
“Sort of.” Terror flashed in her soft brown eyes, but she still didn’t cry. “Why can’t I move it?”
“You’re probably just a little stiff and woozy from the medicine.” I flashed her a smile. “Can you sit up for me? I want to have a quick look at your neck.”
April helped the little girl shuffle to a sitting position while I moved in behind her. “Thanks, Adi. You’re being a really tough girl, do you know that? You’re very brave.”
“I am tough,” she agreed, “but I’m also thirsty.”
I chuckled, scrutinizing her neck while trying to examine it as gently as possible. “I’ll go get you something to drink in just a minute. I’m sure you’d like to have your mom to yourself for a little while.”
Dropping my hands to my sides when I was done, I forced a relaxed grin to my lips and walked around her bed. “Is water okay? Or do you have a favorite soda I can get you instead?”
“Pepsi,” she whispered, her attention fixed on her mother. I figured it was as good a time as any to give them some time alone, not doubting that April was holding back a thousand questions she didn’t want to ask while I was around.
Since I needed to speak to Hunter and check on things outside anyway, I’d kill two birds with one stone. “Sure. I’ll be back in a few.”
April started talking as I was shutting the door, but I didn’t stick around to eavesdrop. The smile dropped from my face when I spotted Hunter speaking to a security guard down the hall.
“Is he gone?” I asked as I went to join them. “Craig,