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Between the thoughts of Kade and Veronica, the veterinary appointment, and checking in on Kade, I didn’t get much sleep through the night. I tiptoed across the hall. With my fingertips, the door creaked open. Kade sat on the edge of his bed with the cast propped up on the mattress. His head cupped his hands. The t-shirt clung to his back and sweat beads popped out on his forehead and neck.
“Hey Kade,” I stuck my head in. “Rough night?”
“You know it was. My leg aches no matter where I put it.” He ran his fingers through his shaggy blonde hair. It stuck out at all angles. He glanced up at me with a half-smile though the corner of his eyes pinched in pain.
“I’ll call Dr. Glanders in a bit and see if we can get you something stronger.” I walked across the room and drew the curtains. The sunbeam fell across the floor. High heels clicked down the hall and the door swung open. Veronica stood at the threshold, holding a tray of fresh fruit, orange juice, and waffles.
“I made breakfast!” She strode into the room. Her broom skirt swishing with every step. She hesitated when her eyes fell on Kade. Her painted pink lips opened and closed. “Wow...”
“I look awful. I know.” He grumbled. His face paled when she set the tray of food on his bedside table.
Veronica’s face fell and her lips quivered. Seriously, she’s going to cry if Kade doesn’t eat her breakfast. I rolled my eyes as I watched Kade look nauseated and Veronica trying not to cry.
“Alright, Kade, why don’t we get you in the shower? It’ll make you feel better.” I grabbed his crutches. “Then, you can eat the wonderful breakfast that Veronica made you.” Placing the crutches next to him, I helped him up. Veronica smiled at me, and I nodded to her in acknowledgment.
Together, Kade and I inched our way through his room to the bathroom. As we reached the hall, Veronica hurried out behind us.
“I can help him.” She edged between us. Kade hopped forward another step.
I stepped back and raised my eyebrows at her. “Be my guest, but he needs help getting in and out of the shower without getting his cast wet.”
Her face paled. “Um.” Doubt clouded her eyes.
“I’d rather have Delilah help me,” Kade mumbled. “She’s a professional.”
A sigh of relief crossed her lips. “I’ll wait for you in the kitchen.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Her heels clicked down the hall back to the kitchen.
I flipped on the bathroom light and turned on the shower. “There’s nothing going on with you and her?”
“There’s nothing going on.” He glared at me from under his brows.
“Doesn’t sound like it.” I rolled my eyes at him. I helped him get the cover over the cast. My hand gripped the bathroom doorknob when his voice stopped me.
“Dee, we need to talk, soon.” The words were so soft it was hard to hear them over the running of the water.
I glanced over my shoulders at him. “Yes, we do, but maybe later.” I stepped out of the bathroom. Shutting the door behind me, I rested my head against the door. He was right, but I didn’t want to have that conversation.
BY THE TIME I GOT OUT of the shower and dressed, Delilah was gone. Veronica stood in the kitchen. She wrapped a little apron over her broom skirt. Her red hair was tied back with a bandana. Kaleb sat at the table, slicing through a frittata.
“This is really good,” he said between mouthfuls. Veronica beamed. He drank a huge gulp of orange juice. “Good morning, Kade.”
“Hi, Kaleb.” I slid into the chair next to him. Veronica slid a slice of frittata on a plate in front of me. “Where’s Delilah?” I cut into the egg mixture.
“She’s over at Pete’s.” Kaleb scooped up the rest of his breakfast and plopped it into his mouth. My eyes bounced up and settled on him as surprise ran through my body.
“What?”
He nodded. “The veterinarian is there today, and her horses have an appointment.”
“She has horses?” What was going on? Delilah had always loved horses, but she hadn’t once mentioned them.
“Dude, you need to talk to her.” He stuffed his cowboy hat on his head, stood up, and took his plate to the sink. “Thanks for breakfast.” He smiled a slow grin at her, and she blushed a crimson.
“No problem at all.”
“Kade, Delilah called Dr. Glanders this morning. He has a new prescription for you at the pharmacy.” He turned and walked out the door. His spurs ringing with each step.
I drank my orange juice and thought about all the questions I had for Delilah. A chair pulled out next to me. The scraping noise stirred me from my ruminations. Veronica placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. Her eyes glinted at me. I sighed.
“You’re a good cook.”
“Thank you.” She settled back in the chair, dropping her hands to her lap.
“Kaleb usually makes breakfast, because Delilah is a horrible cook.” Feeling guilty about my words, I glanced up at her. She nodded and watched me.
“We should head to town today.” I pushed the rest of my food around my plate. “And pick up my prescription. And if you drive, I can take you on a tour of Sunnydale.”
“I’d like that.” She stood. “Let me go freshen up.” She walked out of the kitchen with a bounce in her step.
I sighed. Women. I didn’t know what to do with either one. My appetite left me as I thought about the one person I’d rather be with on the trip to town.