Forty minutes later, Lila was fairly certain what she was dealing with. She put the X-ray on the lighted display so her patient could see what was happening. Had happened. Likely would happen again. “What you’re looking at is a small hairline fracture in your radius, Carrie. It’s not serious. I’m not going to need to set it. We’ll put it in a sling you’ll need to wear for a week or so. It will heal on its own if you let it rest.”

A relieved sigh went through her. “That’s good news. I’ll be way more careful from now on.”

Lila wasn’t sure carefulness was Carrie’s problem. “Was it a bad fall?”

That relief she’d seen briefly fled and Carrie was back to looking worried, though it was obvious she didn’t want Lila to know that. “Not bad. I tripped on a rock and hit the ground. Like I said, I didn’t think it was bad until this morning.”

There were a few things that didn’t ring true about her story, but she knew from experience that she had to tread carefully. “It’s almost four now. How far out do you live?”

“Pretty far. We have to come by boat. We’re on an island out in the bayou. It’s my husband’s family property.”

“I wish you’d come in earlier. I could have saved you some pain. Ice therapy works well if you get it on there fast enough,” Lila explained.

The younger woman nodded. “I’ll remember that. I waited until Bobby was coming into town. It doesn’t make sense to make two trips.”

Yes, that’s what she’d thought. “Your health is important.”

“I’m all right,” Carrie insisted.

Lila gestured to the X-ray. “Do you see those wispy lines on the X-ray? Those are healed fractures. I counted five of them.”

“I’m real clumsy.”

“Is your husband hurting you?”

Carrie slipped off the table, landing on her feet.

She was going to lose her if she pushed too hard. Lila picked up her clipboard. “Sorry, I have to ask. Actually, I have to ask if anyone is hurting you. It’s that kind of injury.”

She nodded. “Yeah, of course. No. It happened how I said it happened.”

Lila gave her what she hoped was a reassuring smile and checked the box on the form. “Of course. I’m also supposed to inform you that if for any reason you’re in fear of anyone in your home, you can talk to your healthcare provider about help. Not that you need it. They make us say a lot of things to be in compliance.”

“Doc never did any of that.” Carrie glanced up at the clock and winced. “Can I get that sling? I have to meet Bobby.”

“He’s not picking you up?” She would’ve liked to get a look at the man.