“Bex is still around?” Delaney asked.

“Apparently Mom overheard her with some customers in the shop. They’d only come to get a tree, but Bex talked them into buying a boatload of other stuff. She wanted to hire her, pay her an hourly wage, but Bex said she’d work for free.”

“So, instead of getting a paycheck, she’s got a guest room?”

“That about sums it up.”

“This girl is interesting.” Delaney caught Theo’s gaze. “What do you think of her?”

“I think it’s safe to say that my radar is on the fritz right now. I don’t think I’m qualified to say.”

“Listen,” Jordan said, “I’d love to be able to yell at you for letting that guy in tonight, but after what you told me, I have to be honest … I think I would have let him in, too.”

Lindsay sprayed Theo’s arm with numbing spray. “I see some glass in here,” she announced. “I’m going to do some injections as well. The shots aren’t pleasant, but I think you’ll appreciate them in the long run.”

Theo nodded. “Thanks.”

“Just breathe,” the nurse told her.

Delaney reached down and took Theo’s hand in her own. “You can squeeze, but not too tight. The second you do, I’m handing you off to the tree man here.”

Theo watched as Delaney’s expression changed. Her eyes widened and she brought Theo’s hand up to study the ring she wore on her finger.

“Ouch,” Theo said, trying not to move.

Lindsay continued to pull small shards of glass from the five-inch-long laceration. “Sorry.”

“I know I haven’t seen you much in the last few weeks, but I’m pretty sure you weren’t wearing this the last time we were together.”

“That’s because I’ve only had it for about an hour.”

Delaney looked over at Jordan. “Where did you propose?”

“In the ambulance.”

“I’d tease you for being completely unromantic, but I’ve spent a lot of time with this girl. Strangely enough, that seems rather fitting.”

“Hang on,” Lindsay warned. “This is a large piece.”

“Damn …” Theo hissed through clenched teeth.

“You climbed through the window?” Delaney asked. Theo nodded. “You ever think about using the door?”

“Yes, smart ass,” Theo retorted, “I did, but the door was locked.”

Delaney let go of Theo and raised her hands. “Okay, okay,” she laughed. “The ring is beautiful.” She leaned over and kissed Theo’s cheek. “Congratulations.” She touched Jordan’s shoulder and he stood up. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a squeeze. “My two very best friends. I love this. This is wonderful.”

“You’ll be in the wedding, right?” Theo asked her.

“Depends on how ugly the dress is that you’re gonna ask me to wear.”

“No ugly dresses, I promise.”

“Then yes,” Delaney agreed. “But if you want me to stand next to Trix, I’ll need a very tall step stool, or no one will be able to see me next to that towering, gorgeous goddess.”

“Whatever you want,” Theo assured her.

“Okay, I’ve got it cleaned out,” Lindsay announced. “Ready for the stitches?”

Theo looked over at the nurse. “Do I have a choice?”

Lindsay smiled. “No.”

“Then I’m ready.”

Delaney yawned and reached up to cover her mouth with her hand. “I’m beat, you guys. It looks like Lindsay’s going to let you go pretty soon. I’ll go check on Ashley one more time, then I’m heading home to get some sleep. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Pretend you didn’t see the ring?” Jordan suggested.

Delaney gave him a smile. “Don’t ruin your engagement announcement,” she said. “Check. If I learn anything more about Ash, I’ll shoot you a text. I’ve got my phone with me. Give me a holler if you need to.”

Theo felt the same pull and tug, only this time it wasn’t in her chin. She made a concerted effort to keep her eyes averted as Lindsay worked.

“They’re taking your Jeep to the barn and bringing my truck here to the hospital,” Jordan told Theo. “With any luck, you won’t have to answer any more questions until tomorrow.”

“Okay,” the nurse said. “You’re almost done. This is going to scar I’m afraid. Vitamin E oil might help that a little.” She applied a liberal dose of antibiotic ointment before wrapping Theo’s arm in snowy white gauze and taping it in place. She bandaged two of Theo’s fingers, one of which required two stitches, then reached up to turn the light off. “Ice might help make the outside of your neck feel a little better. Warm tea will soothe the inside. The meds will help with that pain, too. I’ll tell Doctor Cross you’re ready and get your discharge papers.”

“Thanks, Lindsay,” Theo told her.

“Of course. Feel better.”

It wasn’t more than a couple of seconds after Lindsay left the room that Theo heard the nurse’s voice outside the door.

“Theodora Murphy? Yes, she’s right in here.”

Both Theo and Jordan looked up and watched Max walk in followed by Caleb and then Bex.

“How you doin’, kid?” Max asked, holding his hand out to Theo. Theo took it and allowed him to pull her from her seat. The older man embraced her, and she watched as Caleb handed two sets of keys to his brother.

“It’s been a pretty eventful day,” she told him.

“Well, the life of a Murphy woman is never boring. It’s all or nothing with you lot. It’s always been that way. I sure am glad you’re okay.”

“Thank you.”

“You know, I saw that guy last night,” Bex said, stepping around Max.

“What guy?” Caleb asked. “The one who attacked Ashley and Theo?”