Page 78 of Yours To Hold
“C’mere.” Ivy takes her from me and heads into the living room.
It does funny things to my insides to see the two of them together. Turns out I’m not the only one falling for Ivy. Willow might love her even more than I do.
Shit.
Love?
Am I in love with Ivy? I can’t be. This thing between us was supposed to be for the summer only.
I shake the thoughts from my head. I need to focus on Willow.
“What’s wrong?” Ivy asks, tucking a blanket around her as Daisy lies next to her.
“My throat still hurts.”
“Do you think ice cream will help?”
“Dunno,” Willow says on a sigh. “Can we watch a show?”
“Sure.”
Ivy turns on one of Willow’s bright and sparkly rainbow episodes that usually make me crazy.
Today, it’s a good distraction as I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Willow’s doctor.
“Mason. How are things?” Dr. Manning answers on the third ring.
One of the perks of a small town—being able to pick up the phone to call Willow’s doctor and actually get to talk to him.
“Well, Willow’s throat is hurting again.”
“Does she have any white spots?” Dr. Manning asks.
“She does.”
“I know we’ve discussed this, Mason, but I think it’s time we get her in to get her tonsils removed.”
“You think that’s the best course of action?” I scrub a hand down my face. Willow is curled into Ivy’s side, sleepy eyes on the TV. Ivy’s running a hand through her hair.
“I do. We can do it now, or she can keep having this issue for a few months. Being that it’s summer, she wouldn’t miss any school if we remove them now.”
“How soon can you get her in?” The last thing I want is Willow to be in any kind of pain.
“I have an opening first thing Monday morning if you want.”
“And you really don’t think there’s any point in waiting?”
“If it were my daughter, I wouldn’t. You don’t want her to be in any more pain, and it will only get worse.”
“Okay.”
“It’s a simple procedure, Mason. In and out,” he reassures, “and Willow won’t have to spend the night at the hospital. I’ll get in touch with Ilene and have her get you on the books. She’ll call you to get more information, but lots of fluids and rest for Willow until then. Children’s Tylenol should help with any pain.”
“You got it, doc. Thanks.”
Hanging up the phone, I look over at the couch and Ivy’s eyes are on me. I nod my head toward the kitchen, telling her to follow me.
“I’ll be right back,” Ivy tells Willow, tucking a pillow under her head. Willow yawns, snuggling in closer to Daisy as a burst of rainbows floods the TV screen.
