Free Driftwood Lane by Denise Hunter Page A

touched his arm lightly.
    “Nooooo . . .”
    “What happened?” Noelle appeared at her side.
    “He fell,” Meridith said. “I need to get him to the ER.” Then she remembered. “The guests . . .” How were they going to get in? Someone needed to greet them. She couldn’t think with Ben howling.
    “It’s okay, honey,” she said. “We’ll get you taken care of.”
    Jake gathered Ben in his arms. “I’ll drive you to the ER. Noelle, stay here and check the guests in. Max, you stay with her.”
    A thirteen-year-old running the inn? She didn’t think so. “Call Rita and see if she can come,” she said, following Jake.
    “I’ve checked in guests lots of times.”
    Meridith tossed a look over her shoulder. “ Call her.”
    Noelle glared. “Fine.”
    Meridith followed Jake around the house to his truck. Piper followed silently, head low as if sensing the trouble.
    “You don’t have to do this,” Meridith said. “I can drive myself.”
    “Get in,” Jake said.
    Once she was settled on the cracked leather seat, Jake placed Ben on her lap. The boy curled into her, cradling his arm.
    “He needs to be buckled in.”
    “He’s fine.”
    Jake hopped in the driver’s side and backed down the lane.
    Ben had quieted, his breaths coming in shuddery spasms. She had a bad feeling his arm was broken.
    “How you doing, little man?” Jake asked once they were on the main road.
    “Fi—fine.” The word wobbled pitifully.
    “How far’s the hospital?” Meridith asked.
    “Seven, eight minutes.”
    Meridith gripped the door as Jake took a corner fast. She nearly told him to slow down, but Ben’s whimpering stopped her. She hoped they’d give him something for the pain immediately.
    It was nice of Jake to give them a ride, but she wondered how they’d get home. She’d have to call a cab or ask Rita to come after them.
    It seemed like an hour later when Jake swung into the hospital parking lot. She tightened her hold on Ben as he screeched to a halt at the ER doors.
    Jake put the truck in park, and Meridith fumbled for the doorknob.
    “I’ll get him.” Jake rounded the truck, opened her door, and pulled Ben carefully from her arms.
    Once inside, she approached the admissions desk while Jake set Ben in a chair.
    “I’ll park the truck,” he said. “Be right back.”
    Jake stood when Meridith entered the waiting room. A nurse wheeled Ben to the door, which opened automatically. Ben’s cast looked wet and heavy. His eyes were closed, his head lolling against the chair back.
    “How’s he doing?”
    “He’s nicely sedated,” the nurse said, then turned to Meridith. “Here’s the prescription, and you’ll need to make an appointment with his pediatrician.”
    Meridith nodded. “What about school?”
    “He should be able to go back Monday. Is he right-handed?”
    “Uh, yeah.”
    “That’s good. He might need those painkillers the next couple days, and remember to keep the cast dry.”
    “I’ll get the truck.” The chill in the air felt good against Jake’s heated skin. He’d hated waiting in the lobby while Benny was so upset, but he could hardly insist on going back. Besides, it had given him time to pray for the kid. As if the boy hadn’t already suffered enough, now this.
    He felt awful about the ladder. Guilty. And he hated the way it felt. Like he’d let Benny down again.
    The kid was fine now, though, he reminded himself. Resting peacefully. He was glad they’d given him pain meds. Meridith had probably insisted. He’d been surprised she already had the kids on her insurance. But on second thought, he expected no less.
    When he pulled the truck to the door, the nurse wheeled Benny out. Jake picked him up and set him in the middle. By the time he was behind the wheel, Ben was slouched across Meridith’s lap.
    “He’s sound asleep,” Meridith said. She set her hand on the little boy’s shoulder awkwardly, as if she didn’t know where to put it.
    “Best thing for him.” He turned