The Strength to Fall (McKinnon Brothers Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

“Well, this won’t do. You can’t sleep on the floor with your injury.” He paused thinking again. “Could you go to a hotel for the night?”
                  “No!” I said louder than I meant to. A hotel meant leaving the co-op and riding the elevator again and then riding one in the hotel. Plus, I was coming off my adrenaline rush and I was feeling exhausted. My stomach growled at that moment to remind me I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and that was just a blueberry muffin. I cleared my throat to speak again. “I’m fine here, really. With the cast and the crutches, I should be fine. I appreciate all you both have done for me, but if you don’t mind I’m feeling quite exhausted and I need to make something for dinner. Please just leave the cast and crutches near me and you can leave.”
                  The men looked at each other then back at me. Ozias spoke first.
                  “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. I know we’re practically strangers but I can’t in good conscience leave you in this furniture-less co-op with a sprained ankle and bruised leg. You are hurt because of my stupidity. Please, let me help you. My dad can get the cast on your ankle and I can order some food for dinner. I haven’t eaten either so you’re not inconveniencing me. We can eat at my place. It’s right next door.” He looked at his dad for support.
                  “I agree,” Doc said. “You can’t sleep on a floor tonight. You wouldn’t anyway. The pain would keep you up all night and elevation is important with this type of injury. You need to be in a bed with your ankle elevated, icing it in 15 minute increments a few times the rest of the day.” He kneeled down beside me and gave me a look asking for permission to touch my ankle to put the cast on me. I nodded but just barely. I felt like a child being chastised and I didn’t like it, but I really was too exhausted to fight anymore.
    Doc slowly and quite expertly put my ankle in the black air cast and adjusted the Velcro straps where they put just the right amount of pressure on my ankle. He squeezed my toes a few times watching them. “It’s important to check for capillary refill when you’re wearing any type of casts. If it’s too tight you will lose blood flow to the area and that could lead to permanent damage and even loss of extremities. So I want you to make sure this isn’t too tight. You can take it off to bathe but other than that keep it on. Pinch your toes a few times and watch them turn from white to pink indicating the capillaries are receiving blood. If not adjust the tightness on the straps. No pressure on this ankle tonight either, although I’m sure if you tried to stand you’d quickly stop as much pain as you’ve seemed to be in.” I was trying to take everything he said in and memorize it. It was a little overwhelming so when I was silent he spoke again.
                  “Ok? Understand? Any questions for me before I leave?”
                  “Dad, give her a minute. That was a lot you threw at her. She’s had a lot to take in the last hour.”
                  Hour? Had all of this madness only happened an hour ago? God, that’s not good. Would it be really sad if I went to bed at 6:30, because I swear I can’t take anymore today? I blinked and answered Doc.
                  “Yes, I understand. I can take ibuprofen too, right? I’m not allergic. I can take up to four every 6 hours. Is that correct?”
                  Doc nodded and stood up. He turned towards Ozias obviously content with my understanding.
                  “Your mother asked that you stop by after you leave here but if you are going to have dinner with Ms. McLeod I’ll tell her you’ll stop by after.”
                  “Yes, just tell her that. I’ll call her if I don’t think I’ll make it at