Page 39 of Mail Order Splash

“Who might that be, besides me?” He pulled himself out of the water. “Should I be jealous?”

“Aren’t you beyond sleeping on an uncomfortable cot by now?” I handed him a towel. “You are always and forever welcome but, seriously, this, when you can have a soft warm bed.”

“This is fun, though. I brought my pj’s and cookies from the bakery.” He grinned. “They go nicely with ice cream.”

“Who or what are you avoiding, Doc?” I asked, hands on hips. “Have you been followed? Will we need protection?”

“I love that sense of humor, Kleine. Truthfully, I miss those days and, the way things are going, we may not have many left.”

“The white knight has arrived, just in time to save the day.” Dalton appeared from behind the bleachers. “This is getting better and better. Should we invite more?”

“No, it’s a private thing for Netty. Where’s the food? I’m starving.”

“Promise you won’t be mad. It’s not about money and more about being really excited.” He waved in several people carrying trays. “Chef had already prepared most of this for me. All we did was add to it and, voila!”

“Which part of that would I be mad about?” I sniffed the platters going by. “Because it smells delicious.”

“I have better cots and bedding, even an indoor smokeless firepit. We can make s’mores.” He rubbed his hands together. “So much fun. I didn’t mean to hijack the sleepover. I can send the beds away.”

“Not happening. I will not turn down a better bed.” Josh waved the men in with them. “Don’t say a word, Kleine. You owe me this, at least.”

“I wasn’t going to say no, just that it wasn’t needed.”

“You say that a lot.” Dalton smiled ear-to-ear. “Dr. Garcia, are you staying over as well?”

“I was, but now I see it’s a full house.”

“Nonsense, you’re staying. I will stay on my granddad’s cot.” I plopped down on it.

“I’ve overstepped; I’m sorry. I wanted to surprise you as a thank you for allowing me to be here.”

“I understand, Dalton. I’m not mad, but ask me next time, okay?”

“S’mores, I haven’t had one of those since I was a Boy Scout,” Doc said. “I’m gonna get a shower. You don’t have to wait on me.”

“I think I should go. I heard Doc say he wanted to have a camp-out like the old days. I don’t want to take that from him,” Dalton whispered. “Text me about twenty minutes beforehand and I’ll come back.”

“You’ll do no such thing, young man. Get your pj’s on, light that fire pit, and dim the lights.” Doc had walked back in the room for his bag. “Her granddad, dad, and uncle used to all do this very thing. It’ll feel like back then with all four of us. Besides, the more the merrier.”

“This might be a sentimental time, though. I can do another night.”

“We will be releasing your girl soon. Get changed.” He walked off whistling.

“Doc doesn’t mince words. If you leave now, he’ll be mad,” I shrugged.

“Even worse, he’ll tell my aunt. She’s not someone to get mad at you.”

“I like her a lot.”

“Everyone likes her; everyone knows her. I swear, no matter where we go, she knows people.” He grabbed his duffel bag. “I better get changed. Are you wearing the sweatsuit?”

“Yeah, it gets a little chilly overnight.”

“I brought mine. I wasn’t sure if it had to be pj’s.”

“It does. She has hers on underneath.” Josh made his cot next to mine. “These are glorious, like a real bed, not a cot.”

“Kleine, I brought an extra cot. It’s in the truck.”

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