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"No, no Gavin can check on it" She looked around her father at me "You have my keys?"

"I do," I said, and I could see Mr Rotheford’s back straighten in disapproval

He turned around "I can take those"

"No, Dad, Gavin can handle it," Corabelle said

"I insist"

Corabelle struggled to sit up "No, I’ to be pushed around "I listen to Corabelle"

He stood up, pointing a finger at hter I was there to pick her up after you took off without any word to anybody I don’t kno you insinuated yourself back into her life, but I’e him, didn’t stand up He needed thisa daughter who got knocked up by sos that played out for us, and I agreed that I deserved whatever they wanted to dish out But I would not let Corabelle go, not now, not ever

"Sir, I expect you to," I said

Corabelle searched for the bed button, which had slipped down the side of the mattress I reached around her irate father and set it by her pillow Sheher Corabelle deter to not only do what the doctor said, but exceed his expectation on her recovery

"We need to check in somewhere," Mrs Rotheford said

"There’s a hotel on the next block," I told thery, in the middle of the room

"What’s it called, Gavin?" her o out the ht I’d drive you, but I--" Maybe I shouldn’t bring up the motorcycle just now "I would need to fetch Corabelle’s car"

"We can walk it," Mrs Rotheford said She turned back to the bed "We’ll be back in theCall us if you need us"

Her father finally relaxed his shoulders "I’ll pick up a new phone for you We’ll be here"

Corabelle nodded, then turned back to me, her eyes like a fawn’s, soft and dark "Can you stay a minute?"

"Of course," I said

I stepped aside as her parents kissed her and left the roo behind them