Page 88 of Time Stops With You

I stop and bring my face closer to hers. Nardi inhales a sharp breath and I take note of it. Offering my cheek, I tell her, “Go ahead.”

She tries to move the wrist and hisses, pulling it back to her chest like a kitten with a broken paw.

“Thought so,” I mutter. “Where are your car keys?”

She clams up.

“Car keys, Nardi,” I repeat myself firmly.

“Front pocket.”

I hesitate. It’s probably not a good idea to go fumbling around in her jeans. Not only is it inappropriate, but I wouldn’t be able to forget the feel of her for a long time.

Searching for help, I make eye contact with Josiah. He’s carrying all the poles, but the weight doesn’t seem to bother him this time. All his attention is fixed on his sister.

“Josiah, can you get the car keys from Nardi’s pocket?”

“Yeah.” He drops the poles without a moment’s hesitation and fishes the keys out. It’s a difficult task, since Nardi’s jeans are tight and she’s seated a bit awkwardly in my arms.

I try to stoop down so Josiah can have an easier time of it.

Nardi rolls her eyes after the keys get stuck once again. “You’re taking forever. I’ll get it myself.”

“Don’t youdaremove a muscle,” I warn her.

She scowls at me.

I scowl right back.

Josiah finagles the key out of her pocket right on time.

“Open the passenger side,” I tell him.

Josiah scurries to the other side of the car and pops the door open. I’m especially gentle and careful with her as I set Nardi on the seat. She reaches for her seatbelt and I push her fumbling fingers aside, pulling the belt over her and securing it.

Behind me, poles jangle loudly and a rotten stench fills the car. Ebidiah deposits all of Nardi’s tent equipment and the folded table into her backseat.

“I took care of it for you, Miss Nardi,” he says, his eyes filled with genuine worry. “I hope you feel better.”

I resist the urge to clip my nose and sanitize the entire car. Rather than make my usual signs of disgust, I smile instead.Ebidiah’s kindness to Nardi more than makes up for his lack of hygiene.

“Thank you.” I make sure to look the man in the eyes when I say it.

“Thank you, Ebidiah,” Nardi agrees tiredly. She’s been putting up a fight since she fell but, now that the pain’s probably increasing, she can’t hold back anymore. Deep indents form between her lips as she frowns and every so often, she flinches.

We really need to get going.

Ebidiah backs up a step. “You take care of Miss Nardi, alright, Mr. Beanie?”

“I will. Josiah, are you in the car?”

“Yeah.”

“Seatbelt?”

“Yeah.”

Satisfied that my precious passengers are safe, I nod once more to Ebidiah and back out of the parking lot.

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