Page 4 of Accidentally on Purpose

Decker hummed and slowed as we approached the intersection.

“Sometimes a little dependency is a good thing.”

I bit back my quick refute and said instead, “You say that, but you’re not the one stuck with her for four weeks.”

“That bad?” He chuckled and followed my series of finger-pointing directions.

“I love her to death, but she is stubborn and smothering. I’m worried I might not make it out alive.”

“Well, if you need someone to come do a well-check for you, just let me know.”

For an instant, I daydreamed about what seeing Decker for more than…my car repair…might mean—and it was all the wrong things. It was every reason why I’d left Jackson. Everything here was slow and steady, salt-of-the-earth lifestyle. And if I went slow, I’d have time to think about wanting other things that could hurt me—that could completely break apart my life like they’d done to Mom’s.

So, I beelined for the city that never sleeps and hospitals that were never quiet.

“Her house is the ranch up there off the cul-de-sac.” Seeing the small, single-story home brought back a wash of memories—all good but bittersweet. I loved this place so much, but I feared it more.

“Seriously?” Decker rumbled, and I thought he was talking about her house for a second before he pointed at the stop sign.

My shoulders dropped, and I laughed. “Yeah, really.”

All the stop signs in the development saidwhoainstead ofstop.It was kind of cheesy…but it was the kind of cheesy that felt like coming home.

Decker pulled up out front. Cheryl’s truck was still in the driveway, and I exhaled with a whoosh of relief.

“I’ll be right back to get my things. I just want to let her know I’m here,” I said, letting myself out and rushing to the front door without a glance back.

I didn’t bother to knock because they were expecting me…and Mom never locked her doors.

“Mom? Cheryl? I’m here!”

“Hey, Reese.” Cheryl appeared in the small entryway from the living room, which was immediately off to the right. There was the usual pep to her step. Her short gray hair spiked up in the front. And her smile was the widest part about her. She was pushing seventy—I think—but she’d never admit to it.

She reached me in a couple of strides and pulled me into a hug. “So good to see you, dear. I hate to rush out, but I’ve really gotta jet—”

“Don’t worry about it.” I hugged her tight. “Thank you so much for taking her and bringing her home.”

“She’s just went to the bathroom with her walker and everything the doctor sent home with her on the counter. She also has a couple Dilaudid in her.”

“A couple?” My eyebrows lifted. Dilaudid was no joke, but, of course, Mom was allergic to almost every other kind of pain medication on the planet.

Cheryl gave me a sheepish shrug. “The doctor said to make sure she’s comfortable. Plus, you know your mom. She was getting feisty…wanting to do things…”

“So, you drugged her?” I frowned.

“No.” She wagged her finger. “The bottle said take one to two tabs. I just rounded up.”

So, she drugged her.

“Alright, gotta run! I’ll check in—whoa there, cowboy.” Cheryl stopped with a start, and I’d been to enough rodeos with her to know there was only one thing that could bringthatlook of appreciation to her face.

I spun and gaped at Decker who stood in the doorway with my red suitcase in his hand. “Figured I’d bring these in for you.”

Had his tee been partially tucked into the waist of his jeans before? Had it clung to his abs like that before?

Was that Jeep the only thing that needed some coolant added to it, Dr. Barker?

I forced a smile, about to thank him when there was another voice in my ear.

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