Page 5 of Believe in Me
“Mike?” Trish said hesitantly, pulling her hands from her face. He could see that tears were streaked down her cheeks. Not giving it any more thought, Mike reached out, pulled her to him and stood.
Making eye contact with the guy in the tie, he said, “I’ve got this. Thank you for your assistance. Let’s go, Trish. I’ve got you.”
§ § §
Trish felt safe. She didn’t know why but she knew she was. Her head was against something warm and solid. Last thing she remembered was looking for some spaghetti sauce then crying, remembering Joe’s attempt at making it from scratch. He thought he’d been so successful. It had been the worst thing she’d ever put in her mouth.
“Trish? You with me?” a male voice asked, making her move her head.
That had her pulling back in shock. “What the hell? Where am I?” she asked, nervously looking around. She was sitting in a car she didn’t recognize but was still in the HEB parking lot, so that was good. She hadn’t been kidnapped.
“It’s okay,” the man said, drawing her attention back to him. “You’re safe. I don’t know what happened in the store, but you were on the floor. Do you need a doctor?”
Looking closely, Trish realized that it was the soldier, Mike. She closed her eyes and dropped back in the seat, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. Christ, she was cold.
“Here,” Mike said, handing her some rough fabric. Looking down, Trish realized it was the top to a uniform. “Promise it won’t bite.”
“What?” She didn’t know what he was talking about.
“My top. It won’t bite you and it’s clean. Just picked it up from clothing sales. You were looking at it like it was a snake. I don’t have a blanket or anything else to help warm you up. The heat is already jacked. Sorry,” he finished with a shrug.
Trish wasn’t sure she was strong enough to use the top but she needed something to help her. Hesitantly, she reached out and took the garment. Bringing it close, she buried her face in the cloth, inhaling deeply.
“Are you going to be okay?” When she turned to look at him, Trish could see sweat forming on his cheeks and forehead.
“I’ll be okay. You can turn off the heat,” she said without letting go of his uniform. Trish didn’t know if she could. Her fingers were wrapped up tight in the sleeves.
“Sure? You’ve been out of it for about five minutes or so.” He didn’t seem convinced by her answer.
“Eventually I’ll be fine. Today I guess wasn’t the best day for me to shop. Or maybe it was the call I got before I went into HEB. Thanks for getting me out of there. I’ll get out of your way now. Coffee on me next time,” Trish said as she reached for the door.
“I’ve got a good shoulder to cry on if you need one,” Mike offered.
Trish looked back at him before pushing open the door. “Maybe one day.”
Chapter 4
“Auntie Trish! Auntie Trish! Thank you!” Shelby, Jess’s six-year-old daughter, screamed as she blew through the door to the café. Thank God there weren’t any customers right now. Trish had just enough time to move from the counter before Shelby threw herself at Trish.
“Sunshine, I’m sure you’re welcome but I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Trish said as she watched the door for Jess to come and translate.
“I’m going to be the best jitterbug. You’ll see. Can I have a cookie?” Shelby asked. Ah, the attention span of a six-year-old.
“May I,” Trish automatically corrected, shifting to put Shelby down and open the display case.
“Shelby Marie, are you supposed to run across the parking lot?” Jess asked as she finally walked through the door.
Trish watched as Shelby dropped her head, looking at her mother through her eyelashes. “I’m sorry, Mama, but I’m excited that Auntie’s going to teach my class for the ‘cital.”
“I’m what?” Trish might lose her shit on her soon-to-be-ex best friend.
“Shelby, take your cookie and go to my office. Your crayons are where you left them.” Jess gave her daughter a stern look.
“I’ll picked them up.” Shelby ran toward the back. Did she ever go below a charge?
“So Trish—”
“What did you do?” Trish frowned and crossed her arms.
