Wishes and Stitches Read Online Free PDF

boy with one arm, and with the other he picked up the bike. “Come on, big guy. You’re okay now.”
    â€œI told you not to move him!” Naomi hurried to follow them. Why wasn’t he listening to her? He was a doctor, for Chrissake. He should know he could hurt Milo without even trying. “Until he’s examined, keep him still . . .” Her voice trailed off. Rig was already on the sidewalk, the bike at his feet. He held Milo against his shoulder. Curled into the man’s bicep, the boy looked like he was about five, and thank God he wasn’t presenting any obvious injuries.
    But that didn’t mean there weren’t any.
    â€œWould you mind very much if I looked at him, too?” Naomi tried a new tack. She smiled as broadly as she could. “I’d love to just make sure he’s okay.”
    â€œMy uncle’s a doctor. For people,” said Milo from Rig’s shoulder. “Not for animals. If he fixed animals, then he’d be a vet.”
    Naomi shook her head to clear it, her smile slipping. “Yes. Sorry. But, Dr. Keller . . .”
    Milo sniffled and burrowed deeper into his uncle’s arms.
    â€œBut what? And come on, shouldn’t you really call me Rig?” His smile was slow and warm.
    She’d remembered him as good looking, but damn, she’d forgotten exactly how good looking he was. Some of the local young cowboys and ranch hands who came into Tillie’s were handsome, young and sweet and pretty faced. Rig wasn’t sweet looking. He was wearing lived-in jeans and a dark black T-shirt that strained over his chest. He was big and broad, his face still sporting that stubble. He looked like a cigarette ad from the sixties.
    Milo wiggled in Rig’s arms.
    â€œYou see?” said Rig and smiled back. “I appreciate your offer, though.”
    â€œHe . . . could have a concussion.”
    â€œI don’t think he does. Did you call that ambulance?” Rig asked Whitney.
    â€œY-yes. Do you really think he’s okay?” said Whitney. She was pale, the blusher on her cheeks standing out, bright pink, a fine sheen of sweat at her hairline.
    â€œI know he’s fine. I saw it happen, and it wasn’t your fault. Milo here,” Rig patted Milo’s back, “didn’t look both ways. He just learned to ride his bike, so we’re new at this. Two doctors on the scene, though, how lucky can you get?”
    â€œBut I hit him.” Whitney sank down onto the planter box on the sidewalk. “I can’t believe I hit him. I could have run right over his little body. Oh!” She put her hand over her mouth, the white of her face turning a pale green.
    â€œGo ahead and cancel your call. We don’t need an ambulance.”
    â€œDr. Keller, I’m afraid I have to insist that—,” said Naomi.
    Rig didn’t look at her as he kept talking to Whitney. “You didn’t really hit him. You touched the back of his bike, practically a love tap. He hit the ground harder yesterday when he ran into a light pole. Kids bounce, huh, Milo?”
    â€œI bounce!” yelled Milo.
    â€œAre you sure? Really sure?” Whitney’s face was a mixture of relief and tears.
    â€œI’m sure,” Rig said, and his voice was warm. Reassuring.
    Naomi had to try one last time. “Can I at least help you get him home? To make sure that he’s—”
    â€œWe’re fine.”
    His voice was just as reassuring when he spoke to her, and she wanted to protest. She wasn’t the one who needed help; that little boy needed to be looked after. “Peer to peer, then, I think he should probably take it easy the rest of the day. Don’t you think?”
    Rig’s smile turned into something that looked like a grin. “Yeah, well, maybe I doctor differently than you do. A hug is the best medicine, right?” He kissed the side of Milo’s head. “And besides, we