“I remember every second of it,” Billy answered looking out the window.
“You do?” Renie whispered.
“We thought you broke your arm. I’ve never been so scared in my life. Until now.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why were you scared?”
“Because you were.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I had no idea how to make you feel better.” He rubbed Willow’s back. “She’s calmed down now that she’s with you.”
Reni
e kissed Willow’s forehead. “Feeling better, little one?” she whispered. Willow was still crying, but the wailing had subsided.
“You’re so good with her,” he said and looked back toward the window.
“The town clinic is open. They should be able to take care of her here,” Liv said, pulling into the parking lot.
“I’ll pull up to the door. Billy, if you’ll get out and help Renie, I’ll go park.”
Billy was already halfway around the truck before she finished her sentence. Willow let him take her, but looked back to make sure Renie was following.
Willow needed six staples to close up the gash in her head. When the doctor asked them what happened neither Billy nor Renie could answer him. They hadn’t pressed Luke to tell them, they were more worried about getting Willow into town.
Billy didn’t look as though he was getting any more color in his face. “Are you okay?” Renie asked softly. The doctor had given Willow a shot to numb her before he put the staples in. That had been rough, but Willow had calmed down and was playing with the buttons on Renie’s shirt.
“I don’t know,” he answered. He got up and paced in the small space of the room.
“She’s doing better, Billy. She’ll be fine.”
“I know she is.”
“Then what is it?”
He turned and stared at her for what seemed too long. “Can we talk about it later?” He averted his eyes from hers.
They both sat in the back seat with Willow again on the way home while Liv drove. By the time they got to the house, Willow was sound asleep.
“Do you want to stay here tonight?” Liv asked. “Ben can run to town and get her porta-crib. That way you can sleep in a bed tonight instead of on an air mattress. And if you need anything we’ll be here to help.”
Renie looked at Billy, who didn’t appear to be listening. “Billy, would that be okay?”
“What? Yeah, sure. Whatever you want to do is fine.”
“Billy—”
“It’s fine. Okay?” He got out of the truck and carried Willow inside.
“What’s going on?” Liv whispered.
“I have no idea,” answered Renie. “He’s been acting this way since we saw the doctor.”
“Post adrenalin-rush maybe.”
“I think he’s angry with me about something.”