Page 36 of Desolation

Play into her hands.I drop the cocky attitude and her hand. “Were you looking for someone?”

“I was looking for Georgia.”

“I think she is with Violet in their secret garden. I saw them head out earlier and haven’t seen them come back in.”

“Thanks.”

I turn to head back to my chess game.

“You aren’t going to ask me to dinner?”

I shake my head. “Nah. I already know the answer is no.”

A barely noticeable frown curves her lips but only lasts for a second, I almost think I imagined it. “Okay.”

I nod at her and walk back to the table I was at and see Henry already returned.

“From the look on her face, I’m guessing she turned you down again.”

“Nah. I didn’t ask her.”

“Maybe some things do get through that damn thick head of yours.”

I shrug and keep quiet as we go back to our game.

I don’t think about Mari for the rest of the day, choosing to concentrate on beating Henry. It doesn’t work. He still beats me. I have no idea how he went from losing all the time to winning every game.

“Visitor hours are almost up,” one of the nurses says to the room.

“Crotchety old witch,” Henry mutters under his breath.

I laugh as I turn to see which nurse he is talking about. I recognize her as the one who wouldn’t give him whiskey.

“You know she was just doing her job that day.”

“I don’t give a damn. I am perfectly healthy, I can drink whatever I want.”

“Says the man who makes me sneak him in whiskey.”

“It’s kept me alive this long.”

I sweep the chess pieces into the box at the edge of the table. “That it has.”

“We weren’t finished with the game,” he growls.

“You were clearly winning somehow. Besides I need to leave before crotchety over there kicks me out.”

“Fine,” he grumbles. “Will you be back tomorrow?”

I smile at him. This is why I come here. The man is a grump and a dick to me the entire time I’m here but I know he is happier when I am here. “You can count on it.”

“Damn. I was hoping to have the day alone.”

“It’s Sunday, Mr. Cartwell. And as long as the rain holds off there should be a good sunset.”

I give him a hug and head out the door before he can berate me for something that isn’t true.

I’m halfway to the parking lot when I hear someone call my name. I slow down as Mari catches up to my side.

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