I spend the next hour filling her in on all the latest news, including Marnie and Ash’s wedding and subsequent adoption of Becca, as well as the fact that in addition to running the tattoo parlor we’re looking to open a gym so I can start training kids in martial arts. When I notice both she and Cami are looking a little droopy eyed, I tease, “Granny, do you need me to take you to your room so you can take a nap? I know Cami’s ready for hers.”
“Oh, shush now, Eli. I’m perfectly fine right here, especially since it’s almost time for tea and snacks,” she replies. “But you should take her home so she can get a good rest.”
Nodding, I scoop Cami up, then lean in and give my grandmother a kiss on her cheek. “See you next week, Granny. You be sure and have them call me if you need anything before then, otherwise, I’ll be bringing your usual snacks and drinks for your room.”
“Be sure you bring Phoebe with you, dear,” she replies, patting my cheeks. “As well as Cami, of course.”
This time, since my back is turned, I roll my eyes, only to have her swat at me and say, “I saw that!”
“You most assuredly did not,” I tease. “Next week, Granny, and I’ll see if Phoebe’s able to come with me or not, since I’m not sure of her work schedule.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind watching her?” I ask Holly for the third time.
“Absolutely not, what’s one more at this point?” she sasses as she points to the utter chaos happening in the common room. “At least with her and PJ, I can keep them somewhat contained. You go do what you’ve gotta do.”
“Appreciate it, I shouldn’t be too long. She’s gotta work tomorrow, but I figured I could stop by with some takeout, so she doesn’t have to cook.”
“Take as long as you need, Prophet. We’ve got it under control,” Rebel says.
Instead of pushing further, I head out to my bike and settle myself before hitting the button and starting her up. Feeling that rumble sends a thrill through me, even though I’ve been riding for more years than I can count at this point. Pulling out, I nod at the prospect who’s manning the gate then head into town to pick up some Chinese food.
I’m waiting in the driveway when she pulls in and I catch the startled look on her face. I briefly wonder what that’s about, then grab the bags of food from my saddlebags and follow her inside, waiting until she deactivates her alarm before I close and lock the door behind us.
“How was your day?” I ask as I follow her into the kitchen.
“It was… interesting. What was yours like?” she questions as she heads to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of water for herself and a beer for me.
Since I’m riding, I’ll only have one, then switch to water. “Why don’t you go get changed since I know you prefer doing that and then we can eat and I’ll tell you all about it,” I suggest. “Besides, everyone knows that Chinese tastes better when it’s been heated up, so I’ll get on that while you get comfortable.”
“Sounds like a plan, won’t take me long,” she promises as she heads back to her room.
While I wait for her, I pull down some plates and fill them up before warming them in the microwave. I’m worried because she seems a bit off, but she might have had a bad day, so instead of building mountains out of what’s probably nothing, I focus on the task at hand. By the time she comes back in, freshly showered in a pair of sweats and fuzzy socks, I have the table ready for us to eat.
“God, you must have read my mind,” she says as she stabs a piece of sesame chicken. “I’ve been craving Chinese ever since one of the girls had it for lunch. So, what did you do today?”
“I took Cami over to see my grandmother so she could finally meet her,” I reply. “At first, she thought I was bringing her a new foster kid to take care of, but I was able to explain that Cami is my daughter.”
“What did she think of her?” she asks. “I mean, I’m kind of biased and Iknowyou are, but she’s the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen.”
“She fell in love with her, as did everyone else who was sitting around us when I was there,” I tell her, smirking. “I think every single resident managed to come through the day room for one reason or another, but it’s honestly because so many of them don’t get many visitors.”
Her face falls and I reach over to take her hand in mine. “I go at least once a week to see Granny, and my brothers, as well as Esther and Paul, frequently visit as well. We’re actually going to ‘adopt’ the residents for Christmas this upcoming year since so many have family that are too far away. How many potted plants can they possibly need, y’know? So, Esther, Holly, and Marnie are going to meet with the director and get a workable gift list for every single resident.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” she muses. “I definitely would love to help with that if that’s okay.”
“The more, the merrier,” I reply. “So, you seemed a bit shocked to see me when you pulled in. Is everything okay?”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Phoebe
He’s given you the perfect opening, Fee,my brain whispers.Just spill your guts and be prepared if he rejects you.
I take a deep breath then say, “One of the reasons I came back to my hometown and started working at the hospital was because of our CEO’s philosophies. He’s very passionate about assisting other small communities whenever there’s a massive trauma due to a natural disaster.”
“Sounds like a good place to work then,” he replies.
“During my tenure, I’ve added on to my nursing credentials with various trauma courses, and I’m part of the hospital’s trauma team that gets sent to these places to assist. It’s kind of like being a travel nurse again, but the contract is much, much shorter, of course.”