SHIFT EXCHANGE

CHAPTER 29

After the third day Kara was certain she still loved him, but she was equally certain that she wanted to smother him with a pillow.

Jake Mahon made for a terrible patient. The longer he stayed helpless on the couch the more cantankerous he became and while he'd never been outright rude to her, his petulant, whiny, and snappy behavior was working on the last frayed threads of her sanity.

If she had to hear one more long dissertation on how useless he felt, or how much he needed to get out of the house she'd likely run screaming from the house. 

Kara patiently helped him toddle between the couch and the bathroom as needed throughout the day and for one sexually frustrating shower. Carefully, she'd examined his wounds and replaced the wrappings each day, doled out medication, and brought him meals.

Kara understood his frustration. He was pretty much stuck on his stomach or side at all times. He couldn't walk without shuffling, wincing, and sucking air through his teeth. Despite having Kara only finger tips away, neither of them could take advantage of the others close proximity to the degree they would've liked. He'd gone from active, lusty male to lump on a log and he didn't like it.

The problem was, she was just as frustrated as he. Going out to feed Merle and the ducks had become a pleasant reprieve. She spent more time than usual taking care of her pets as she relished the quiet, uncomplicated peace of the barn.

When Deputy's Taylor and Long stopped by to drop off some of his pajama pants and shoot the breeze she'd been more than willing to relinquish her surly patient to their care while she made a jaunt to the store.

She took her time selecting her items and filling up her car to give herself a nice breath of fresh air before returning.

When she finally breezed through the front door she was stopped in her tracks by the sight before her. Jake was propped up on his side looking relaxed and happy as Deputy Taylor finished lighting a tapered candle on the coffee table.

Long stepped out of the kitchen holding 2 plates and paused only a moment when he saw her standing with the door open behind her. "Go ahead and sit down Kara. I'll get the rest of your groceries out of the car and then then we'll be out of your hair." Taylor approached and took the bags from her hands as she stared open mouthed at the scene before her.

Still confused, she simply did as she was told and wandered over to the chair she'd sat in so often in the last few days. "What's going on?" She asked as she watched the two young men walk into the house carrying the rest of her grocery bags and head for the kitchen.

"I realize I've been a bit of a bear lately. I am not good at sitting around doing nothing. I am sorry. You've been amazing." He gestured toward the kitchen. "When the guys texted their intention to visit it occurred to me they might be able to help me do something nice to make it up to you."

Kara surveyed the table. There was a bottle of sparkling cider, some sliced French bread and 2 plates of lasagna laid upon the table. It looked quite nice.

"Its ordered in, but at least you don't have to cook tonight?" He looked slightly apologetic. "The cider is a little lame, but they refused to bring wine since I'm still taking pain pills." Jake rolled his eyes.

The two young deputies came out of the kitchen and bowed slightly to Kara. "We put everything away as best we could. I hope it's right." Deputy Long explained. "The rest of the lasagna and dessert is on the counter. We're going to go now. Thanks for taking care of our fearless leader."

"You guys are so sweet. Thank you, I really appreciate it." Kara stood to walk them to the door.

"No we can see ourselves out. Just relax. It is our pleasure." Taylor insisted. They walked to the door and waved slightly as they left.