Page 139 of Sloane

Crash answered with, “A knee scooter and a crutch.”

“Do either of you happen to still have any of them?”

Stu furrowed his brows when he replied, “Yeah, why?”

“Well, because I think I’m ready for something less cumbersome, especially in my friend’s car, so I was hoping I could borrow it until I can get my own.”

“What does Ashley think about that?” Crash asked.

“She said I was ready, and we’d look at them tomorrow.”

“Then you should look at them tomorrow,” Stu said.

“Have you always been such rule followers?” I half-teased yet half-taunted, hoping that would spur them to loosen up a little.

“Yep.”

“Pretty much.”

Screw it. I knew I could buy a cane at any local drug store.

~~~~

I wasn’t expecting Ryan and Grace to show up with Craig and Maddie, but when I looked at the camera on my phone, Craig’s Land Rover was pulling in behind Ryan’s Audi.

My face split into a smile. I hadn’t seen Craig since he visited me in San Antonio. And the last time I saw Grace or Maddie was before my accident.

I realized neither of the ladies had seen me like this and my mood instantly soured as I prepared myself for the pity smiles and awkward hugs that were sure to come.

Might as well get it over with.

I shuffled toward the front door with the walker. That damn thing was a pain in the ass, and I was going to talk Ryan into not only stopping at the In-n-Out drive-thru, but the corner drug store so I could get a cane or a knee scooter, or both.

I’d barely opened the door when squeals erupted from both Grace and Maddie as they swarmed me without wavering and stroked my arms over my shirt.

“It’s so good to see you!”

“I’m so glad you’re finally back!”

There was no hesitation on their part to try to hug me, which I appreciated. The only thing that was awkward was maneuvering around the metal walker.

I moved it out of the way, grumbling, “This damn thing,” then hugged them both.

“It’s good to see you two.”

“Do you and Ashley really have a daughter?” Grace asked with her arm around my waist.

“Amelia Sloane Youngman. We call her Millie. She’s perfect.”

“Thank God she looks like her mom,” Ryan exclaimed from the bottom of the steps.

“What are you talking about? She looks just like me.” I paused and pointed to the right side of my face. “Well, this side anyway.”

Maddie was on my left and motioned to my peg leg. “You got any contraband in that?”

“No, but that’s a really good idea. I hadn’t thought about all the places I could sneak a flask into.”

They laughed at my lame joke, and Craig came up the stairs and shook my hand.