The full weight of the diagnosis sank in. How was she going to paint her shop? How was she going to get all the books on the shelves? How was she going to get her store open in just eight days?

Her eyes burned, and her breathing became labored.

Aiden was suddenly beside her, taking the papers from her hand. “Okay, now, don’t panic. Let’s get out of here. We’ll talk in the car.”

Aiden helped her off the table. She held on to him as she limped through the lobby, barely registering the pain in her ankle. Once outside he assisted her into the passenger side of his car, and as he rounded the vehicle she realized he needed to get to the airport. They hadn’t even picked up the rental car.

She looked down at her swollen ankle. Rental car? Who was she kidding? She couldn’t drive like this. She couldn’t even move her foot without exquisite pain. Now that it wasn’t elevated it was throbbing again. How would she manage everything she had to do? On one foot, that was how. What other choice did she have?

She dabbed at the corners of her eyes while Aiden got in on the driver’s side and started the car. “I can worry about the pharmacy later. You’d better take me home and get going. Are you packed up?”

Aiden still hadn’t buckled up or put the car in motion. He regarded her with a strange expression.

“What? Why aren’t you driving? You’re going to miss your flight.”

He buckled up, put the car in Drive, and pulled from the slot. “I’m not going home today, Sophie.”

“You still have time. The airport’s small—it won’t take long to get through security.”

“I’m not leaving you like this.”

She blinked, her heart suddenly thumping like a bass drum. “I’ll be fine. You can’t miss your flight. Surely you have to get back to work.”

“You can’t even walk or drive.”

“I can take an Uber.”

“You’re so stubborn. And once you get to the shop? How are you going to manage then?”

“I don’t know. I’ll figure something out.”

He shot her a look as he pulled from the parking lot. “You mean you’ll carry on with your plans—on your bad ankle, pain or no pain—and likely make your injury worse.”

It irked her that he knew what she’d been thinking. And she couldn’t believe he was willing to cancel his flight. “I can handle it. This is not your problem.”

“It is now. I’m staying until you’re on your feet, Sophie.”

“I’m not the only one who’s stubborn.”