Evans Creek Book 2: In Good Hands

Chapter 12

Suzie enjoyed the company and the meal. She covered a yawn but Jack noticed.

"Let me take care of the dishes. I'll put the left-over soup in the fridge for you for later. Then I should probably go so you can get some rest."

"No."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Stay. For a little while anyway. I don't often get company and this has been really nice."

"It has." Jack agreed as he talked to her from the tiny kitchen. She watched him tidy up as she snuggled back under her blanket. No one had ever done anything so nice for her.

...well, Rowdy helped her carry Brody that one time...

"...read to you?"

"I'm sorry?" She blinked.

"I asked if you wanted me to read to you. You look like you're about to nod off anyway. I could read you one of Brody's bedtime stories, but I bet you'd prefer a chapter or two of your Romance novel."

"That would be awesome. But I won't fall asleep on you. That would be rude."

Jack smiled as he set the book aside and tucked the blanket around her feet. She was out cold. She didn't snore, but her breathing was heavy and even.

"You almost sound like you're purring, kitten." Jack whispered as he backed toward the door.

Locking the doorknob, he closed it quietly behind him and called Rowdy.

"Jack? What's up?"

"I just left Suzie sleeping on her couch. She's home sick today. I locked the door, but I saw a deadbolt. Is there a key somewhere so I can lock her in?"

"Dale has it. But you locked the doorknob, so she'll be okay until Dale can get over there to lock the deadbolt."

"That's good. With that nut-job out there..."

"Yeah." Rowdy agreed.

---

"Hey Betsy." Rowdy waved as he headed to the counter. "Got a minute?"

"Let me take care of this. I'll be right back."

A few minutes later, Betsy cleared her throat. He was staring into his coffee, lost in thought and hadn't seen her come up.

"Sorry." He shrugged. "How's Suzie? Really?"

"I don't think it's too serious. But she definitely has a cold. Can't have her sneezing and sniffling around food."

"True." Rowdy sighed, feeling relieved.

"But you know that girl. Stubborn as a mule. She'd run herself into the ground if we let her. Me and Ger figured this was a good way to force her to get a few hours of sleep."

"She doesn't have a phone?"

"Only her cell." Betsy tipped her head and looked hard at Rowdy. "But we aren't calling her into work and she won't work at Dale's again for a few days."

"Good...." Rowdy started to say something and changed his mind...twice.

"Spit it out."

"Any chance that you can keep Brody tonight..." Rowdy saw the hesitation on her face, and hurried on before she could say no. "So that Suzie can get some decent sleep?"

"It's not that I mind, but I don't know if I have enough diapers..."

"I'll buy you what you need and pay the sitter for any extra time. It's just that Suzie's been burning the candle at both ends and with this cold..."