Page 68 of Giddy Up, Daddy

So they needed clearing out.

She did one section, then climbed down with a breath of relief. Picking up the ladder, she carried it carefully to the next section and climbed up. This time, her legs were shaking slightly.

Crap.

How was she going to do this around the entire house?

“Blakely?”

She jumped slightly at the voice, even though it was calm and quiet.

Turning, she held on tight to the ladder as she saw Stafford standing there.

“Stafford, hi. What are you doing home?”

“Blakely,” he said in a tight voice. “I’m going to need you to climb carefully and slowly down.”

He looked strangely pale.

Oh, no.

Maybe he wasn’t feeling very well.

“Blakely. Get. Down. Now.”

His voice had grown deep and stern.

“But I haven’t finished this part.”

“Blakely, you either climb down yourself or I’m coming up there to get you. Either way, you’re getting down. Right. Now.”

Okay, she guessed she was getting down. Probably for the best.

When she got to the third from the bottom rung, he reached up and lifted her down.

“Oh, careful! You shouldn’t do that if you’re not feeling well.” Turning, she gave him a concerned look.

“Not feeling well?”

“Yes, you look pale. Is that why you’re home early?”

“No. I’m not home early because I feel unwell,” he gritted out as he took hold of her wrist and led her into the house.

“You’re not? Then why?”

“I’m home because I found out that my girl is risking her neck climbing a ladder.”

She stilled when they entered the house and tugged at her arm. He didn’t let her go, but he did turn toward her with his eyebrows raised in question.

“Did Jack call you?” she asked, outraged. “That . . . that tattletale! Grandpa Jack!”

“He won’t hear you. He’s taken out his hearing aids.”

“He has? Why would he do that?”

“Because he doesn’t want to hear us,” he replied grimly, leading her toward their bedroom.

Hear them?

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