Page 76 of Defending Casey

Zeke almost choked on a laugh. “His daughter isn’t a baby.”

Clint stared back at him. “I rest my case.”

* * *

Pullinginto the parking lot at the feedstore, Casey considered backing out and driving home instead of going in with her dad’s lunch. A quick call to Mattie’s might be enough to have someone take him a meal. She looked over the seat into the back of the car and saw Nora sleeping like a rock. Her mouth was open and there was a little line of drool making its way toward her chin.

It was only going to take a moment to go in and drop things off but leaving Nora in the car didn’t sit well with her. Sure, the car would be on and there wasn’t anyone set to come in for their orders until a little later in the day.

But.

Casey blew out a breath.

But, she was just being a big baby.

But, it wasn’t going to take more than a moment.

But, why was she making such a big deal about this?

Casey reached her hand back and touched Nora’s knee. “You keep sleeping, okay? I’ll be right back.”

Making sure that the air conditioning was on and Nora’s favorite Cherryholmes album was playing over the speakers at a good volume, Casey picked up the insulated bag she’d left on the passenger seat and got out of the car.

It took a few seconds to get inside. “Dad? I’ve got your lunch.”

The room was silent, and she looked around the main floor.

Casey crossed to the storeroom in the back, and poked her head in. “Dad?” Nope.

Okay. One last place.

Casey crossed to the door that led to the offices and pushed it.

It opened about a foot, and she almost stumbled into the door when it stopped like her heart almost did when she looked down and saw her dad stretched out on the floor. “Dad! Dad?”

She dropped the bag to the floor and started to get down on her knees when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“My dad needs help, I-”

She went silent when she saw who was standing there.

“Hey, Casey. What took you so long?”

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