Perking Up -Moss Bluff Series Book Three

Chapter 8

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Chapter 8

Quinn

I feel horrible. I've had this stomach bug for a week and I can't shake it. Just sitting up out of bed has my stomach turning. Leo has been so sweet taking care of Hope and me. He's gone to the diner for Paige's chicken noodle soup, he's gotten me ginger ale and chamomile tea.  Unfortunately nothing seems to be helping me.

I really need to get out of bed and get moving. I think if I just start moving around again, I'll feel better. Throwing the covers back, I roll to my side and sit up. Ugh!

"What are you doing?" Leo walks in with Hope on his shoulders. "If you need something I said I'd get it for you."

"I know, I know." Holding my stomach, I stubbornly get to my feet and hold onto the bedpost keeping myself from toppling over. "I need to move. I need a shower and I really want to be downstairs for Brynn when they get here."

I fought moving into Georgia's house. I'm glad she didn't give me a choice. She's been a Godsend with helping Leo with Hope and the Inn. I don't know what I was thinking, trying to do everything myself. I can't and I don't want to try to do anything without Leo.

I've been a royal pain in the ass. I don't know why he's stuck with me but I'm incredibly grateful he has. I need to do something for him to show him how much I appreciate him. I'm very lucky.

"You could have asked for help." Leo reminds me as he has since I've been sick. "You know, I don't mind helping you."

Taking a few careful steps from the bed, I keep my hand on the dresser as I take his hand. "I know and I can't ever tell you how much I appreciate you being here. I love you, Leo."

"Good!" Leaning in, he gives me a slow easy kiss. "I love you too and you're stuck with me. So I will take care of my favorite girl here and let you get your shower. I have to get over to the restaurant this afternoon for an inspection, but I'll be home right after that."

"I plan on keeping upright until bedtime. Thank you for putting up with me. I don't know why I've been like this." I really don't know what is wrong with me. I'm never this sick.

Taking Hope back to the kitchen where Georgia's fixing lunch for the crowd she's expecting, Leo leaves me to pull myself together, so I start by taking a much needed shower. Letting the water run hot, steam fills the bathroom and I let the water soothe and take my icky feelings down the drain.

Shampooing my hair well, the smell of lavender and honey fills the bathroom and I let myself relax. I think all of us have been on edge ever since Lindsey kidnapped Hope. For months now, we have been looking around corners and watching shadows. All because Lindsey is missing and she's crazy.

She has a vendetta against this family. I don't understand why or how she is connecting us to her trauma. I know she feels jilted by Beckett and she hates Aubrey and Brynn but the lengths she's gone to have gotten out of control.

There's a clattering noise in the bathroom, making me pause. "Leo, are you thinking about joining me? ... Hello? ... I don't mind but I'm almost done here... Leo?"

Nothing. No response, no sound at all. Maybe he decided to go back downstairs. He might have figured Georgia would make a big deal about a nooner. She would absolutely approve but it might embarrass him.

Finishing up my shower, I rinse off and grab my towel. With water getting in my eyes, I start wiping my face off with my eyes closed. Not paying attention, I begin scrubbing the white fluffy towel through my hair and down my neck. That's when I saw it. That's when the bright red on the stark white towel registered.