“I was trying to give her space to rest while you examined her.”

“Quit behaving like a tactical officer running a staging area,” Sarah said.

“Go back in that room and tell her to her face that you’re not going anywhere.”

Richard picked up the peppermint and felt the sharp plastic edges between his callused fingers.

“She’s been through enough for one day.”

“Then go make sure she knows she isn’t the one who caused this,” Sarah said.

“Right now she needs her father, not a commander.”