Page 40 of Roughing the Player
“Meghan’s dog is a Newfoundland, as big as their house. And Butch is very well behaved. Aren’t you, boy?”
“Woof.”
Kaylee’s lips twist. “He’s barking.”
“That’s the way he talks.”
She doesn’t appear to be the least convinced.
“He’s really sweet. Wait and see. You’ll like him. I’ll feel better knowing he’s watching over you, especially when I’m not around.”
Kaylee stops the pity party and her head jerks up. “Not around? Are you going somewhere?”
I’ll need to stick close to the truth; otherwise, she’ll smell a rat. “I have a work assignment which means I’ll be gone Monday through Friday. It should only be for a couple of weeks.”
“That seriously sucks, Mom. I need you.”
“Grandma will be here to watch over you, and I’ll be home on weekends. That’s not so bad, is it?”
Right on cue, Mama knocks on the door. “Hello, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
She pouts. “It hurts, grandma.”
“Well, I have something that will make you feel a whole lot better. Sweet tea and some peach pie.”
Mama settles the tray on Kaylee’s lap.
“Thank you, Grandma.”
Mama drops a kiss on Kaylee’s forehead. “Anytime, sweetheart.”
I wait only long enough for her to take a bite of the pie and a sip of the tea before asking, “How about you take that ibuprofen now?”
“Okay. If you insist,” she mumbles through a bite of the pie.
“Woof.”
“See? Even Butch approves.”
She side eyes him when she swallows the ibuprofen, but she doesn’t protest.
When she’s done with the food and drink, I carry the tray back to the kitchen where Mama’s cleaning up. “I’m going to stay the night, Mama. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Mama props one hand on her hip. “No, you’re not.”
“Kaylee needs me.”
“Chances are she only has a sprain. And all she needs is to rest and elevate her leg. If she needs anything else, I can handle it.”
“I’m staying and that’s that.”
“Honey, she’ll survive. And you need to do your job.”
“Not tonight, I don’t. My daughter needs me.”
“Hmph.” She turns back to the kitchen. “Stubborn as always.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
