Emmett Read Online Free

never notices unless we go naked, Melody,” Amy assured her.
    â€œAnd sometimes not even then,” Polk said with a chuckle. “Dad’s very absentminded when he’s rodeoing.”
    â€œHe sure doesn’t seem to notice what the three of you get up to,” she said quietly.
    â€œWe like our dad just the way he is,” Guy said belligerently. “Nobody bad-mouths our dad.”
    â€œI wasn’t bad-mouthing him,” Melody said through her teeth. “Can we just go to the hospital now?”
    â€œSure,” Guy said, folding his thin arms over his chest. “But I’m not changing clothes.”
    She threw up her hands. “Oh, all right,” she muttered. “Have it your way. But if your clothes set off the sprinkler system, I’m climbing into a broom closet so nobody will know who brought you.”
    Â 
    At the hospital, Melody herded them off the elevator and down the hall to the nurses’ station.
    â€œLook at all the gadgets.” Polk whistled, peering overthe counter at the computers. “Wouldn’t I love to play with that!”
    â€œBite your tongue,” Melody said under her breath. She smiled at an approaching nurse. “I’m Melody Cartman. You have an Emmett Deverell on this floor with a concussion…?”
    A loud roar, followed by, “You’re not putting that damned thing under me!” caught their attention.
    â€œIndeed we do,” the nurse told Melody. “Are you a concerned relative anxious to transfer him to another hospital?” she added hopefully.
    â€œI’m afraid not,” Melody said. “These are his children and they want to see him very much.”
    â€œDo you have him tied up in one of those white things?” Amy asked.
    â€œNo,” the nurse said with a wistful sigh. She turned. “Come on, I’ll take you down to his room. Perhaps a diversion will improve his mood.”
    â€œI really wouldn’t count on it,” Melody replied.
    â€œI was afraid you were going to say that. Here we are.”
    â€œDad!” Guy exclaimed, running to his father as a practical nurse laid down a trail of fire getting out the door. “How are you?”
    Emmett stared at his eldest blankly. His pale green eyes were bloodshot. His dark hair was disheveled. There was a huge bump on his forehead with stitches and red antiseptic lacing it. He was wearing a white patterned hospital gown and looking as if he’d like to eat half the staff raw.
    â€œIt’s almost noon,” he informed Melody. “Where in hell have you been? Get me out of here!”
    â€œDon’t worry, Dad, we’ll spring you,” Guy promised, with a wary glance toward the nurse.
    â€œYou can’t leave today, Mr. Deverell,” the young nurse said apologetically. “Dr. Miller said that you must stay for at least forty-eight hours. You’ve had a very severe concussion. You can’t go walking around the streets like that. It’s very dangerous.”
    Emmett glared at her. “I hate it here!”
    The nurse looked as if she might bite through her tongue trying not to reply in kind. She forced a smile. “I’m sure you do. But you can’t leave yet. I’ll leave you to visit with your family. I’m sure you’re glad to see your wife and children.”
    â€œShe’s not the hell my wife!” Emmett raged. “I’d rather marry a pit viper!”
    â€œI assure you that the feeling is mutual,” Melody said to the nurse.
    The woman leaned close on her way out the door. “Dr. Miller escaped. When he comes back, I’ll beg on my knees for sedation for Mr. Deverell. I swear.”
    â€œGod bless you,” Melody said fervently.
    â€œWhat are you mumbling about?” Emmett demanded when the nurse left. “And why haven’t these kids changed clothes? They smell of pizza and dirt!”
    â€œThey wouldn’t change,”