Husbandry by Allie Ritch Page B

ambulance brought him in hours ago.”
    Although his tone remained neutral, I sensed the reprimand.
They’d needed me, and I hadn’t been there. The first call from the hospital
must have come into my office while I was away from my desk or busy checking my
home messages, and then I’d been on the phone with my mom once I got home.
    “Big waste of time.” Chuck made the announcement before I
could decide whether or not to defend myself. “I only saw the doctor for ten
minutes. The rest of the time, we sat around waiting. There was some nasty
highway accident, so they had bigger problems. I told them I could see my
regular doctor.”
    “Are you sure he shouldn’t stay overnight?” Since I knew
Chuck’s answer, I addressed my other husband. “We should at least get him some
painkillers.”
    I noted every wince, added to the fact that Chuck allowed
Chad to help him dress.
    My uninjured hubby didn’t appear worried, though. “The
doctor gave me instructions. Once we get him home, we’ll give him an ice pack
for his head and cold compresses on the bruises. That’s about the best we can
do for the pain. No anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin products—they’ll only
screw up his healing and put him in danger if he has any internal bleeding.
He’s supposed to get lots of rest. If he falls asleep, we’ll wake him every
hour and make sure he can answer questions. We’ll watch him closely and race
back here if he has any change in symptoms.”
    “He can hear you, you know.” Now dressed, Chuck got to his
feet. He didn’t wobble, but I’d never seen him so stiff. “Let’s go home.”
    Chad and I flanked him in case he needed help. Just then a
nurse came through the door with Charles right on her heels. I wasn’t surprised
my executive husband had checked his messages at work, but I was shocked he’d
taken off early to come here.
    Charles stopped and studied the patient. “Well, Chuck, you
couldn’t have done too much damage if you’re already on your feet. Chad tells
me you tried to fly.”
    “I managed to levitate,” Chuck retorted. “Then gravity
kicked in. Look, I’m fine. You’re fine. We’re all fine. Can we please go now?”
    Charles shot me a questioning look, so I gave him a quick
summary of the diagnosis. He hid it well, but I could see his relief.
    Chad handed the paperwork he’d finished to the nurse, which
was when I noticed her curious stare.
    “Wow.” She glanced from one of my men to another. “Identical
triplets?”
    I took Chuck’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before
drawing her attention. “Bioengineered. I used Genetic Harmony Inc.” And after
this, the company should give me a referral fee. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, my
husbands and I would like to go home.”
    It was hard to say who was the most surprised. Charles cocked
one eyebrow at me, while Chuck tightened his fingers around mine. Of course,
that might have been because he was in pain. The nurse certainly looked shocked
and perhaps a bit jealous. As for Chad? The man who could speak eloquently in
three languages and quote the most beautiful poetry from memory appeared well
and truly speechless.
    With a satisfied grin, I helped my poor, bruised husband
walk out.
    * * * *
    “Does this mean you and Chad have made up?”
    Charles asked me the question on the way home. He drove me
in one car, while my other husbands were in the second vehicle, probably
pulling into our driveway as we spoke. I’d wanted to stay with Chuck, but he’d
had a hard time finding a comfortable position. Chad had still been adjusting
the seat for him when he’d told me to go ahead. Charles and I had stopped to
buy a bunch of ice packs.
    Since I was on a roll today, I told the truth. “Not yet. I’m
still in the process of making things right. You might be interested to know my
coworker, our neighbor, and the hospital staff now know I’m in a polygamous
marriage. Oh, and my parents have been informed too. They’re coming to visit
this