Page 34 of Our Long Days
“Just dizzy.” Not why he thinks. “It’ll pass.”
He eyes me skeptically. Pat might let me be a martyr when it comes to my health, but it doesn’t mean he likes it.
“Haven’t you got a child and pregnant fiancée to get home to?” I shove him. “Get out of here, Daddy.”
“You fucker.” He laughs. “Did Jo put you up to that?”
I tap my nose.
When all that’s left of his visit is a cloud of dust, my body sags.Big brother. Fuck my fucking life. If only he knew.
Sucking in a deep breath, I carefully ascend the stairs and knock on the open door of the A-frame, calling out. No answer. I crane my head, listening closely, and barely catch the sound of running water coming from down the hallway.
Leaving her to it, I go to leave, but my boot catches on the handle of her tote bag, sending the contents flying.
“Ah, fuck.” I bend to tidy the mess. The most random things lay scattered across the floor: a recipe for banana bread, a hammer, twenty pesos, a book about goats, three apples, and approximately six thousand bobby pins.
A piece of paper stands out the most.
To-Do List
1)Buy snacks for the boys
2) Find out how the lumberjack likes his coffee
3) Setup PA email
4) Review current reservation system
5) Don’t think about the lumberjack inappropriately
6) Try not to screw this up!
7) Organize calendar
A hand darts out, snatching the paper from me. A horrified Florence stares at me. “Please tell me you didn’t read that?”
“Okay, I didn’t.” She’s changed into a pair of overalls, hair tied with a large scrunchie to showcase her flushed cheeks. “Need a hand with anything?”
The paper crinkles against her chest. “Nope. Thanks for your help. It’s been a long day, and I’m pretty beat…”
Translation: she wants me to leave.
An odd sensation tugs at my chest as I retreat toward the door. “Of course. You know where I am if you need anything.”
I turn then pivot, pointing down the corridor. “The shower isn’t the best. There’s an outdoor one through the kitchen. Butt Head has a tendency to break in here, but he’s harmless. There’s also a wild turkey roaming around—not so harmless.”
She nods slowly, taking in all the information. “Shower. Goat. Turkey. Check. Anything else?”
My lips work before my brain can stop them, a habit that only happens when she’s near.
“Yeah, I take my coffee with a splash of milk, no sugar. See you in the morning, Trouble.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
florence
Life sure hasa way of gifting you lemons and then squirting you in the face.
