Page 136 of Hutch
“That’s fine, sweetheart.”
She’s probably reeling inside over the whole restraining order. I can give her as much time as she needs today, but those papers are getting signed tomorrow and filed on Monday with the court.
“Then let’s go.”
I stand and lead her toward my car, feeling better about things than I did earlier. I don’t think she’ll run and that means I can keep my girl safe.
CHAPTER 33
Hutch
My phone chirpsagain with a photo of Hutch surrounded by stacks of papers. I highly doubt he’s had to do stacks and stacks of paper from emails. Tomorrow might be a different story. I know they’re both hopeful to get on the ice, but HR is going to eat up a lot of their time. They may not make it to practice which will be a letdown for them both, but once all the paperwork and onboarding is done, they’ll be able to get on the ice with their new team on Tuesday.
“Something smells good!” Dylan comes over and inhales the scent of the chicken gravy I’m making. “Why did no one tell me you were cooking?”
“Because I’m making dinner for Hutch and his mom.”
“We can’t have any?” Dylan looks both scandalized and horrified at the same time. It’s quite comical.
“If there are leftovers, then yes, you can have some.”
“Is Collin going to be here?” he asks suspiciously.
“Of course. He’s Hutch’s brother from another mother.”
“Dammit. There will no food left over.”
Jenny smacks his stomach as she goes by on her way to the fridge. “You can take me out to eat. We’ll find someplace that has fried chicken.”
“You and I both know we ain’t gonna find anywhere that taste like Daisy’s home cooked food. Girl needs to change her major to a culinary degree or something.”
Everyone tells me that, but I want to help families of addicts cope with the pain and anxiety from having a loved one choose drugs over them. I know what it’s like and how hard it is to deal with when you have no one to talk to. I love Nana, but she never really wanted to talk to me or Robbie about the damage Mom caused us. She ignored it and that’s not right. I want others to have someone they can talk to.
“Come on. Let’s get you out of the house before you beg to stay and eat.” Jenny takes his hand and drags him toward the front door.
Shaking my head, I go back to the dining room and set the table for all of us. Kathleen is bringing her new boyfriend as well. Hutch didn’t say much about him last night when he called, but he was preoccupied with dozens of emails from the Raptors. I hope he and Collin got through them so they can relax and enjoy supper without stressing about finishing work.
On a bright note, my brother called me this morning. He apologized for not calling on my birthday, but today was the first day he was allowed to use a phone. I’m just grateful to hear from him because it means he’s alive. That’s all that matters to me. It was nice to hear his voice. He said he had a surprise for me when he comes home next month. He sounded super excited so I can’t wait to see what it is. And he’ll be here for Christmas which is amazing. I hope we can get all this crap with Joe cleared up before he gets here. I just want a nice family Christmas.
It’s not long before I hear Collin shouting my name. The boy is loud. I go back to the main room where Hutch is eyeballingthe room and its then I remember he is going to put up cameras. He’s scoping the place out to see where the best spots are.
“Hi, Mrs. Hutchinson.” I paste a smile on my face, trying to ignore thoughts of Joe and why cameras are going up in and around the house. “Sorry I couldn’t make dinner yesterday, but I’m glad you let me cook for you tonight.” I go over and take her and her friend’s jacket to hang up in the hall closet.
“Oh, no worries, Daisy. And as I said, please call me Kathleen.” Her gaze is full of genuine warmth. I was a little afraid she’d be mad I didn’t come to dinner. “Jonathan tells me you are a wonderful cook.”
“I don’t know about all that. I just cook the way my nana taught me and my brother to cook.”
“Your brother can cook too?”
I nod. “Nana said we had to learn to feed ourselves in case we married someone who burned water in the kitchen.”
“That would be Jonathan. He set the microwave on fire trying to heat water.”
“No need to be telling stories like that,” Hutch hurries to say. “Just be grateful I stopped trying to cook.”
“Now, Collin on the other hand,cancook. He makes the most wonderful meals.”
“I’ve had him help me in the kitchen before.” Not to the extent of making full meals but I trust him a bit more than even Jenny after watching him with a knife.
