“Good morning, sunshine!”
Jade groaned at the chipper, perky voice that interrupted her perfectly sound nap. “What time is it?” She blinked at a young woman wearing smiley face scrubs. Nurse Happy pushed a few buttons on the few different monitors and pulled out a thermometer.
“Time for a temperature reading,” she announced in a singsong voice.
Jade untangled herself from the blankets and landed back in the reclining chair. She certainly wouldn’t win any points for being graceful, but she was far more concerned about the numbers on the thermometer than she was about anything else. “How’s she doing?”
The nurse frowned. “96.8. Still not quite as high as we’d like.” She reached over Dez and massaged the IV bag. “It’s probably time to get this warmed up again. How are you feeling, sunshine?”
Dez blinked up at her. “What are you doing?”
Jade was about to remind her daughter to mind her manners, but the nurse was apparently running on multiple shots from Starbucks and was more talkative than Dez at her most energetic. “We’re just checking your temperature. Want to make sure you’re strong and healthy so you can go home today. Did you sleep well?”
Dez shrugged. “Mom was snoring in my ear.”
“What? I was not.”
“Yes, you were. You snore all the time.”
“I heard that.”
Jade started at the voice and looked over to see Ben standing in the doorway. It was the first time she’d seen him out of his trooper uniform. He looked casual and … nice. Jade wondered where he got the change in clothes. “Can I come in?” he asked.
The nurse slipped past him with a cheerful, “Just holler if you need anything,” and bustled out of the room.
Ben walked up to Dez’s bedside and set down a shopping bag by her pillow. “How’d you sleep, kiddo?”
“What’s this?” she asked. “Is it for me?”
“Dezzirae Rose Jackson,” Jade snapped. “Your mama taught you better than that. Where are your manners?”
Dez looked at Jade sheepishly. “Sorry.” She turned back to Ben. “What’s in the bag, officer?”
He laughed. “Open it and see.”
Dez reached over with her arm and pulled out some word searches and animal fact books.
“I figured a smart girl like you would want something to read while you were stuck in bed,” Ben said with a smile.
Dez frowned. “I don’t know how to read.”
Jade crossed her arms. “Did that nurse put rude juice in your IV or something?” she demanded. “When someone gives you a gift,” she said sternly, “you tell them thank you.”
“Thank you,” Dez muttered.
“What’d you say?” Jade pressed.
“Thank you, officer.”
Jade let out her breath. “That’s better.”
Ben leaned toward Jade. “So, how’s the patient doing?”
Jade met his gaze with a smile. “Still as stubborn and ornery as ever.”
“I think you mean bright and charming, don’t you?” he asked, winking at Dez.
“Right,” Jade agreed with a slight rolling of her eyes. “That’s what I meant.”
Ben sat down in one of the stools and stretched out his legs. “Well, I’m glad to know you’re both safe. Any word on how long they’re keeping her here?”
“We just woke up,” Jade admitted, “but from what everyone was saying, we should be released by the afternoon, I’d imagine.”
“Need a ride back to Glennallen?”
“Do you have room?”
Ben nodded. “I already texted Reggie. He said they’ve got enough seats for us all.”
“If you’re sure it’s no trouble.”
“Not at all.”
Jade licked her lips, suddenly uncertain what she should be doing with her hands.
“Would you like a coffee?” Ben asked after a torturous silence.
“That would be wonderful.”
He stood back up. “Got it. Any special way you like it?”
“Strong and black,” Dez answered for her, and Jade grimaced when she suspected what her daughter was going to say next. “Just like she likes her men.”
“Dezzirae Rose Jackson,” Jade hissed.
Dez shrugged her shoulders. “What? That’s what you always say when you make yourself coffee at the daycare because the coffee maker we’ve got at home’s broke.”
“It’s a joke and something that’s not fit to be repeated, especially not in front of …” She glanced at Ben, who was standing in the doorway trying not to laugh. “Never mind. But you best start remembering your manners, or I swear with this policeman as my witness I’ll tan your hide.”
Dez rolled her eyes. “No, you won’t. You’re just saying that.”
“Well, I mean it this time,” Jade grumbled, her face still hot with embarrassment.
Ben cleared his throat. “All right. I’ll be back in a few minutes with some coffee.” He met Jade’s eyes and gave her a grin that only deepened her flush. “No cream. No sugar. Just the way God made it.”
“I’m sorry,” Jade sighed.
He laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I like a girl who speaks her mind.” He tousled Dez’s hair again. “Watch out for your mom while I’m gone. Don’t let her get into any trouble.”
“I won’t.” Dez grinned widely.
Ben gave Jade a small wave. “See you soon.”
“Take your time.” She watched him leave, staring at the empty doorframe until her daughter interrupted with, “Mama?”
“What, baby?”
“Why do you got that goofy grin on your face? Is it because Ben’s getting you a coffee? Does that mean the hot policeman likes you?”
Jade snapped her head around. “What’d you call him?”
“Oops, I forgot. I mean Officer Ben. You were staring at him like this.” Dez tilted her head to the side, clasped her hands beneath her chin, and batted her eyelashes.
“What?” Jade tried to sound upset but couldn’t hide her laughter. “I was not.”
“Yes, you were. Is it because you think he’s hot?”
“Five-year-old girls don’t say hot,” Jade told her. “You can say he’s handsome, and I guess he is if you like that strong, athletic type.”
“He’s not handsome, mama. He’s hot.”
“Dezzirae Rose Jackson!” Jade snapped.
Her daughter shrugged. “Well, it’s true.”
Jade didn’t respond.
“You’re doing it again.” Dez tilted her head and batted her eyes.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Read your new book, baby. Mama’s tired.”