Page 23 of Babydoll

“No more than I do about your wife’s hole, Dale. It gets nice and slippery for me too.”

I tune out their banter and focus on the end of the line where Lu stands rolling her eyes.

Our little run-in with Satan’s Ransom, and likely the spill on four, put her behind. Her face is flushed, probably from the rush. “It’s cold out there, Lu,” I say when she finally walks up to hand me her card. “You forget your coat? I think I saw it on the bench in the staff room.”

Her brow furrows. I know she doesn’t have a coat and when she starts to say it’s not hers I shake my head once.

“Can’t go out in this weather like that,” I add, loud enough to get the attention of the last few people readying themselves to walk out into the blowing snow.

“He’s right,” Donnie says, as he pulls his hood up. “You did bring one, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, course I did,” she grumbles, eyeing Donnie’s back before shooting me a dirty look.

I lean forward, to her ear. “Maybe you no longer care if I get you fired, but I think you’ll care if I tell everyone you sleep in your car. That’ll get you just the kind of attention you love. Sympathy and pity.” I glance up at one of the guys only a few months from retirement. “Bet Grandpa Kent there will feel obligated to invite you home to his place.”

He would too, and we both know it.

“Hear his wife makes a mighty good lasagna,” I continue. “And what a fuss she’ll make over you!”

I hiss when she jabs an elbow into my ribs as she passes me. But since she headed toward the staff locker room, I smile through my next words. “You’re asking for it, babydoll,” I say to her back.

“What was that?” Kent asks as he opens the door, wind gusting in past me.

“Nothing, Kent. Have a good night.”

He nods and walks out into the cold blustery night, flurries dancing in the light.

I watch, waiting for the others to warm up their cars and leave. When Lu returns with the coat she shoves it at me, just out of reach, and drops it.

“I’m not a dog and I won’t fetch your coat again.”

I shake my head, looking at the parka with the bear emblem on it lying on the floor.

“At least the floor is clean,” I say and scoop it up. Then I hold a finger up, checking the lot. The last car’s taillights turnout onto the road. I take her card out of her hand and swipe it through the machine but then block the door with my body.

“Keep the coat. It’s an extra small. It was sent as a sample from the company I purchase our uniforms from. It’s been taking up space. You’d be doing me a favor.”

She rolls her eyes. “You must think I’m an idiot with that story.”

“You’re only an idiot if you don’t take it. And I know you’re not.”

This time her eyeroll is followed with an exasperated sigh, but she still doesn’t take the coat.

“Lu, remember you forced my hand on this one, okay?” Grabbing her keys from her hand, I toss them across the floor. Her mouth drops open and she curses as she turns to watch them slide several yards away. Growling, she storms off to grab them.

I punch in the numbers to enable the security system. With three steady beeps the system engages. Lu’s frowning at me from her place by the wall, keys now in hand, as the door slowly shuts.

“Have a good night, babydoll,” I say when the door is almost closed and she’s rushing for it. “I’ll be back at 5 am to let you out. I left you something in the infirmary.” On the bed, I’d put a full footlong sub sandwich, cookies, and milk. She pounds on the door and I hear her muffled voice as she cusses me out.

Smiling, I walk away to prowl the perimeter. I’ll keep her safe, from the winter weather and Satan’s Ransom, whether she likes it or not.

It’s time Lu learns to accept help.

I thought I’d bested her until my walkie went off a few minutes later. I’d forgotten to put it on the cradle for the night in my distraction. I’m staring at it on my belt when her voice chirps through.

“I will pull the fire alarm, bud.” Lu’s voice is a growl through the staticky line.

I curse but keep my voice playful as I answer. “It’s Daddy, not bud, babydoll, and you wouldn’t dare.”

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