Page 42 of Loved By Tandy

“A while ago. Maybe.”

I reach back and touch a hand to her cheek. “You have a thermometer around here?”

“In the drawer on the island. Not the side close to the sink.” She moves her hand as if her directions help at all.

“I’ll find it.” I work my way to my feet and kiss her temple before walking away.

The thermometer and a million other things, including googly eyes, spray-on hair color, and an air horn are in the drawer. So it takes a minute to find. Then I wash it for obvious reasons.

She flashes a weak smile. “You found it.”

“When did you color your hair blue?”

“Halloween. I was a blue-haired old lady. I had all the kids convinced. And I handed out lots of good candy.” She slides the thermometer into her mouth.

By the time it beeps, her eyelids have closed. I brush silver strands out of her face and read the temperature. It’s elevated a little, but not high, so I’ll let her sleep for a while. But I’ll stay close.

Back on the floor, I tip my head back and close my eyes. I’m glad we had plans this morning. Otherwise she would have been all alone.

That thought needles me. So does what she said when I asked where she wanted to lie down. But that’s a conversation for another day. Or maybe never.

Keys jingle,and I rub my face. Tandy is still sound asleep behind me, and now she has a hand resting on my shoulder. The door swings open, and Colt steps inside.

“Oh, sorry to intrude. She just hadn’t answered her phone all day, and I kind of started to worry.” He waves and steps back.

“You don’t have to leave. She’d want you to at least raid the fridge.” I point to Tandy’s hand. “I’d get up, but…”

Colt nods. “Food does sound good. I’ll see what she has.”

“Thanks for coming to check on her. I appreciate that. A lot.”

“I should’ve figured you’d be here, but honestly, I never even thought to call you. I guess y’all missed your morning walk.” He disappears into the kitchen and returns a few minutes later with a meatloaf sandwich. “You want anything? You know, since you’re being held down.”

“I’m good right now. There are donuts if you need something sweet.”

He shakes his head and pats his stomach. “Gotta watch my figure.”

Colt doesn’t stick around long, which is probably for the best. Tandy would feel awful if he got sick.

But her hand is getting really warm, so I lean back and stroke her cheek. “Pretty sure it’s time for you to take some medicine.”

Her eyes open for a moment, and she smiles as they close again. “You’re still here.”

“I’m not going to leave you by yourself, Candy girl.”

She huffs a laugh. “You didn’t sign up to take care of me. Only married people are required to stay when someone is sick. I’ll be fine by myself.”

“Are you suggesting we get married, Tandy?”

She’s wide awake now. “That is not what I said.”

I kiss her forehead and get pills out of the bottle. “While I’m sure you can take care of yourself, I don’t want to leave. Those two beasts of yours were not pleased that you hadn’t fed them. But I showed up in the nick of time. They were nearly starved.”

Grinning at my stupid joke, she sits up and swallows the pills. “They played you, Matthew. I fed them bright and early this morning.”

“Now I feel used.” I sit down on the end of the sofa and set a pillow in my lap.

She stretches out again and rests her head on the pillow. “I wanted to go to the ranch and see the progress on the foreman’s house.”

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