Page 50 of Derek
“I’ll text you girls later. Love you.” I hang up the video call before spinning back to Derek.
“I’m sorry Indy. I didn’t mean for you to hang up. My mom needs help and won’t let me do it.”
“It’s alright,” I smile as I stand up. “I can talk to them later.”
“Why is Janie crying?” He follows me out of the room, and I let out a sigh.
“Well, she’s a little upset about how you two ended things.” I watch his jaw tighten as he helps me up the stairs, something I’m not thrilled about him doing, but I let it go.
“She’ll be alright.” He mutters while setting me down on the landing.
“You should talk to her.” Derek rolls his eyes.
“Gee, thanks. Any other groundbreaking advice you want to bestow upon me?” I narrow my eyes at him.
“Yeah, don’t be a dick to the people that care about you the most.” I snap before walking to his parent’s room.
“Good afternoon,” I smile as I walk in. Dorothy beams at me, no doubt ready to get up and start moving. Mr. Rowe rolls his eyes before looking back at the television.
“Good afternoon, Indy.” Dorothy beams as I move her walker over to place it in front of her. “You’re looking tired, sweetheart. Are you getting sleep?”
I chuckle. “Some. Insomnia kind of goes with the MS sometimes.”
“You gonna rely on someone to carry you the rest of your life?” Mr. Rowe huffs out, and I bite the inside of my cheek to distract myself. That one hit a nerve.
“Well, hopefully, I can find a place with no stairs when I go back home.” I smile as I get under Dorothy’s arm and help her stand, thankful once again that I’ve been having so many yellow days. I love when I get to wear my yellow bracelet. A lot of times, I have it on for a few hours up to a day. This is the third day it’s been on. Which is amazing, considering I just started my period. Usually, I am in considerably more pain during my time of the month.
“Ah yes,” Mr. Rowe grumbles. “That makes sense. Avoid the situation. That’s the problem with you kids, you never find a real solution. Just avoidance. Just like Derek, divorces his wife, leaves the state, and shuts down completely.” I blink and look between Mr. Rowe and Dorothy. Wow, that was a little harsh.
“Morris!” Dorothy hisses at her husband while gripping tightly on the handles of her walker. “Come on, dear I need to get out of here before I lose what’s left of my mind.”
I continue to walk back and forth on the long landing that overlooks the living area downstairs as Dorothy continues to ask me question after question. I don’t mind, though. It’s nice having someone interested in getting to know me.
“You must have a big heart,” she says through her breaths. “To do what you do for those sick babies. And then to just drop your life and come here because we need help? There is a throne waiting on you in heaven, baby.”
Laughing lightly, I shake my head. “Nah, I think a throne is pushing it.” I continue to watch her movements, though she seems sturdier than I am. “You’re healing up nicely. Very quickly. I think once the physical therapy starts tomorrow, you’ll be healed in no time.”
Dorothy lets out a winded laugh. “Ain’t got the time to be down. This ranch can only run for so long without a woman behind the wheel. The Rowe men are known for their hard work, hard heads, and big tempers. If a woman ain’t around to remind them they aren’t a bunch of wild animals, they will return to communicating in grunts, growls, and smackdowns.”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me at her comment. With her strong, tall build and long grey hair, Dorothy looks like a force to be reckoned with. You can tell she’s spent her life wrangling oversized men and animals.
Once I’ve helped Dorothy with her exercises and gotten her back into bed, I clean up, give her and Mr. Rowe their medications, and head to the steps. Sighing, I grab my phone and go to call Derek but see Carter walking in.
“Can you help me?” I ask sheepishly. Carter jogs up the stairs and lifts me into his arms.
“Can I ask you something?” He says, and I cringe, fearing what he could want to ask, but I nod my consent. “Why don’t you use a cane to get up and down the stairs?”
“Well,” I let out a breath, relieved it wasn’t something inappropriate. “I have in the past, but you have to have arm strength, and mine goes out sometimes. So I try to avoid steps if possible. Which I’ve only had to do for the last… eh, maybe year? Before that, I was a lot stronger. I didn’t bounce back as well from that relapse.” I mutter the last part as we reach the landing. Carter goes to set me down just as Derek walks in. I watch his brown eyes narrow.
“What the fuck?” He grunts, walking over to us.
“What?” Carter laughs. “I’m helping the beautiful angel down the steps.”
Derek shoves Carter away and glares down at me. I match his heated look, raising a brow. “Problem Rowe?” I ask. Derek blinks, and his expression softens.
“Are you busy?” His question throws me.
“Uh–m, no? What’s up?” I watch him rub the back of his neck as he looks away. Is he nervous?
