Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Hunter
E ven over the phone, I can hear the gears in that woman’s head working overtime. I have to remind myself to hold back on small comments regarding weddings, relationships, or kids.
Cassidy says she can’t imagine herself in a wedding, but I sure as hell can. That might have scared me a few weeks ago, but now the thought only makes me laugh and smile. Convincing her to be on the same page isn’t easy. I’m not saying I’m ready to get down on one knee, but the possibility that one day I might be is more real than ever before.
After another great weekend together, I would have thought she’d feel closer to where I am. That’s not the case. She’s still her usual disconnected self. I’m grateful the girl is still talking to me.
She seemed more distant this morning than last week, but she mentioned work and the girls. I can’t imagine that things with me consume her thoughts as much as she consumes mine. She’s more resistant to the idea than I ever was. The girl is as stubborn as they come.
I unloaded everything in my truck last night, but it’s just sitting in a pile in my living room. Cassidy would be more than willing to video-call me so that we can place everything where she had mentioned while we were grabbing it all. It would be the excuse I needed to get in touch with her if she grew any more distant.
“Hunter, you on the phone with Jake or his ma?” I hear the crunch of the gravel under Doug’s heavy boots as he comes up behind me.
“No, still haven’t heard from them. It isn’t like the kid to not show up.”
“I heard Sharon isn’t at the diner either.” Doug scratches his gruff face and then shoves his hands into his back pockets. All the hands on my farm are worried about the kid. He grew up without a dad and now suddenly has half a dozen grown men worried about him like their own.
“I’ll be driving over after we finish up for the day.” Patting Doug on the back, I give his shoulder a quick squeeze. I appreciate how each person on this farm works hard and looks out for one another.
When Jake came to work for the summer, I knew why he was doing it. Every hand on this farm knew why he was working over the summer. No one made a deal about it. No one let the boy know we knew why he needed the money. We just welcomed him and taught him what we could. He is always eager to help, never gives lip, and holds respect for the people around him. Sharon has to be damn proud.
“The park is on the way home for me if you want me to check it out instead.”
“Nah, he’s my hand. I’ll look into it. If you want me to call you and let you know what’s up, I can.” Doug scoffs at my offer, acting tougher than he is.
“You can tell me tomorrow unless they need help tonight.” Doug offers. A smirk comes across my lips.
I hop on my mare and head out to the field to inspect an area I sprayed last week to prevent pests. The fields are full, lush, and green. Each breath I take is crisp and clean, but the unnerving feeling for my young hand and his mom weighs heavy on my mind. The unsaid thoughts of a city girl I can’t get out of my mind plague me.
When I get to my field, I hop off Legacy and tie her to a post next to a large water basin. Walking through my crops and checking each bed I am pleased to find it all pest-free. The summer can wreak havoc when it comes to bugs. After checking on the area and feeling satisfied, I pull my phone out to let Cassidy know I haven’t heard from Jake. She must be worried because she’s already texted me asking for an update.
Cassidy: Any news? Thank you for lunch.
Me: Nope. Looks like I’ll be heading that way come 5.
Me: It’s my pleasure, a working girl has to eat.
Cassidy: All girls need to eat.
Me: I only care if my girl eats.
I’ve been pushing my luck with Cassidy, and I know I should try to play it safer, but I can’t help it. I enjoy teasing her. I enjoy calling her names and staking my claim on her. Her reactions are endearing. Her stubborn backlash, her uncontrollable blush, the way her back stands straighter and she throws her shoulders back. I know she’s doing all of those things right now. She may not even answer me at this point. She may stick to the conversation of Jake and his mother, but I know what I said, and I know how it makes her react.
I feel my phone vibrate and her response causes my blood to run a little hotter, which is a feat under the summer sun.
Cassidy: She has eaten.
I mull over the right words to write back. Should I be playful? Should I be sweet? I’m not too sure. I could be sexy, and I know Cassidy loves that. I’m not feeling like I’m in the right mindset to head down that road at the moment.
I know what I want to say, but I don’t know if it’s something Cassidy wants to hear. My thumbs flit across the screen and I stare at it for a moment before hitting send. It’s nothing monumental. It’s not even a statement at all, just a gentle suggestion.
Me: Anytime you need anything, I’ll get it to you.
I mean it. The girl could tell me she needed a ride to the bookstore, and I would drive up there right now and get her there. I want to make sure she has what she needs and wants.
If Cassidy could be interested in dedication like that from me, that would be some serious progress on her part. I hit send, hoping to keep moving in a positive direction.
Cassidy: =)
It’s better than nothing. I don’t want to push too far, so I switch gears and text Harrison.
Me: Hey. Gotta run over to Jake’s place after I finish up in the fields. Still haven’t gotten word on him. Would you mind closing and locking up the barn after you’re done?
Harrison: NP. I’ll toss a few steaks on the grill and wait for you in the house. Hope everything is all good.
Shit. Me too.
Later at Jake’s trailer, I see all the lights on, but his bike isn’t in the front chained to the railing like it usually is when he’s home. That sits a little uneasily with me. Turing my headlights off, I undo my buckle and pull my phone out.
What if Sharon thinks Jake’s at work today and I cause her unnecessary trouble? When he passed out in the field the poor woman almost died with worry. She left the diner without another word, even though I assured her he would be fine after cooling off and having some water. The tires of her beater ate the gravel as she peeled into the ranch. I never want to see that look on her face again. Jake and his mom are closer than I can understand.
I dial Cassidy, unsure of what to do.
“Hey. What’s the news?!” She’s as eager as everyone to know he’s all good.
“I pulled up in front of their place. The lights are on, and his mom’s car is here, but Jake’s bike isn’t. It’s weird.”
“What did his mom say?” She’s thinking, the gears in her head turning at warp speed.
“I haven’t talked to her yet. What if he just played hooky to hang out with some friends today? I don’t want to make his mom worry. She almost died when he almost had that heat stroke.”
“Hunter Hill. You don’t know where that kid is. If he wanted to play hooky, he would have called you and said he was sick. He would have said something. He is not the type of boy who just doesn’t show up. You man up and knock on that door. What if he’s in trouble and she’s been looking for him all day too?!” She’s mad but in a sweet way. She cares about the people who matter to me. By association, I get to say that means that Cassidy cares about me too.
“Okay. I just really hope I’m doing the right thing. I—” A knock comes on the glass of my window, and I jump. “SHIT!”
“WHAT?!” Cassidy yells. I squint and see Jake standing next to his bike holding a plastic bag in his hand.
“It’s Jake. I’ll call you back. He’s fine, he’s on his bike and everything.” I hear her sigh heavily and then take a deep breath. “You call me on your way home, okay?”
“I will,” I reassure her.
Sliding my phone back into my back pocket I climb out of my truck and look over Jake. The boy is a mess. His hair is disheveled, his eyes are swollen, and he looks tired. He’s wearing basketball shorts and a plain shirt with a zip-up hoodie, but sandals instead of sneakers. He’s out of breath and his eyes dart between me and his home.
“Sir. I’m sorry but can I call you tomorrow?” His voice shakes with an uncertainty that adds to my worry.
“Are you alright, son?” The words come out with ease, just genuine concern. His eyes gloss over, and he shakes his head hard twice.
“Tell me what’s going on,” I say. Jake turns toward his house and speed walks as he pushes the bike up to the steps of his trailer .
“My mom is sick. She said it was just a cold or something, but she wasn’t acting like herself this morning. She hasn’t been able to eat or drink and she sounds awful. I don’t know what I’m doing. A little while ago I went to check on her and she was burning up. I don’t have anything to check her temp. Sir, I don’t even know what a fever is. I biked as fast as I could to the pharmacy.”
As Jake is talking, we walk up to his house, and he chains his bike to the railing of the steps.
“The pharmacist gave me a thermometer and medicine for fevers and some drinks for her since she hasn’t drunk anything all day. I don’t know what to do. This is the first time my mom hasn’t been able to take care of her—” He’s on the verge of a breakdown. I can hear it, but he steels himself and takes a deep breath.
I put a hand on his shoulder and give him a squeeze.
“It’s going to be okay; I’ve helped my family out plenty of times when they’re sick. Let’s head inside.” Jake nods his head once and brings a sleeve to his eyes while he’s facing away from me.
“Okay.”
We walk up the steps and he swings open the thin aluminum screen door; his movements are so weighted, that the door looks as though it’s made of iron. I wish I could do more for him, but I also know I can’t do too much without hurting his pride.
His house is surprisingly clean for how distraught he sounds. It’s a small trailer with what seems to be one bedroom. I can see a twin-size bed where a sitting area would be with a yellow bedspread and a folded, floral, cotton comforter. The house is tidy, and everything has its place. I don’t take too much time scanning the area, so he doesn’t feel like I’m prying .
“She’s in my room, let me see if she’s okay with you coming in.” Jake opens one of two doors off to the side. A few beats into him being in the room I hear the door swing open.
“Mr. Hill!” Jake’s voice is loud and strangled; my feet move before my mind can think. “She won’t answer me!” Tears are running down his face and his breaths are coming quick and shallow.
My heart sinks to my stomach as I push into the room to see Sharon lying listless on Jake’s bed. Within a few steps, I clear the space between the door and the bed, then go to kneel beside her. Her chest is rising and falling heavily and her breaths sound shallow and harsh.
“Sharon,” I call out firmly. She stirs but doesn’t say anything. I bring my hand to her forehead and without a thermometer, I can tell she’s burning up.
“Bring me the thermometer, Jake.” He quickly rips open the box and hands me a digital ear thermometer.
I slide it into her ear, and she grumbles, “Jake, I’m fine. I just need to sleep…”
“102.4; what did the pharmacist give you? To give her?” I look over my shoulder and Jake is hugging the plastic bag and staring at us. I can feel his fear slinking into the air.
“Jake, we need to give her something to help bring her fever down. After that, we can decide what to do. I can tell she’s just feeling rough right now because her temp is so high.” I stand up and move over to where Jake is frozen. He can’t take his eyes off his mother.
I have seen my parents and brother sick plenty of times. Sure, there were times when it sucked and I felt sad, but this kid is terrified. His mind is only thinking one thing, and that’s what he would do without her.
I won’t let that happen. I won’t let Jake feel like he’s alone. I won’t let his mom get worse than she is right now. If this medicine doesn’t kick this fever, then we’ll drive to the best hospital we can get to.
I reach out, taking the plastic bag that is tight in Jake’s grasp. His eyes shoot up to mine and every thought I just had is confirmed. In his eyes, I see a desperation that I have been lucky enough to never experience. A feeling I know I’ll face one day, but Jake is feeling it all right now.
“Let’s give her some of this medicine. It will do wonders, I promise.” Jake just nods as he hands me the bag. I pull out two anti-fever medications.
“The pharmacist told me to give her one. She said if her fever is real bad to give her the other one in a little bit. Should we just give both right now?” Jake walks over to his bed and sits next to his sleeping mother, pushing her hair out of her face.
“I don’t think bodies are supposed to be this hot, Mr. Hill.” His voice is small.
“They aren’t, but this medicine will get it where it needs to be.” I pull out the first one and open it. Two pills for what I imagine her weight would be. The bag also holds Pedialyte and Gatorade. I go with Gatorade first to see if she can even get it down.
I hadn’t realized I had taken a minute to gather everything, and I look up to find Jake with the thermometer in his ear.
Shit.
“Mr. Hill! My temp is 97.9! Didn’t you say she was 102?!” He’s mortified.
“Yes, son. Her body heats up to kill whatever bug she’s got. My ma would let us get some pretty high temps to let our body do its thing. I think she said anything under 101 we needed to do without help. So, she’s not too far from that. Let’s give your mom a little extra help.” I walk over and kneel at the side of the bed.
“Jake, I’m going to have to wake up your mom. She’s a little out of it, so I might have to yell or shake her a little. Do you want to step out?”
“No!” He grabs her hand tightly.
“Alright. Hold these.” I hand over the two pills and Jake takes them cooperatively. Setting that Gatorade down I grasp both Sharon’s shoulders and give her a gentle squeeze.
“Sharon,” I say with a firm tone. She just squints.
“Sharon,” I say louder and give her shoulders a tighter squeeze. She turns toward me and nods once. That’s a good sign to me, but not enough for her to drink.
“Sharon!” I feel the bed shake as Jake jumps from my loud voice. She doesn’t move this time though. I’m about to scare the life out of this kid by calling 911 if I can’t get her up. The scenario is playing at a hundred miles per minute when I feel her shoulder turn.
“Hunter?” Her voice is raspy. “What in the… What are you doing here?” Sharon’s eyes are open and red. I don’t have time to explain before she’s out again.
“Jake brought you some medicine for your fever and didn’t know how much to give. Take this.” I lift her head in one of my hands and grab the pills from Jake with the other. She doesn’t fight me or ask for more, she takes the medicine and a small sip of the Gatorade.
“That boy. I told him I just needed some sleep.” She smiles with her eyes closed and lets out a heavy sigh. “Sorry for the trouble.”
I smile to myself. Such a mother. I am relieved that she got the medicine in her, but I am worried about her keeping it down. She hasn’t had anything in her stomach all day and I’m afraid she’ll throw it up, which would mean our efforts were in vain. She settles back into her sleep, and I think we might be lucky.
Looking over at Jake, I see his tear-stained face.
“I bet you she’s just dog tired, Jake. She works just as hard as you, and to catch a bug probably just forced her to get some deep sleep.” I grasp his hand over his mother’s and give a gentle squeeze.
“Let’s let her sleep. We’ll check her temp in twenty to see if it’s coming down.”
He nods a few times, and I stand to let him get her situated in a fashion he’s comfortable with. Leaning on the doorframe I see him lean down and kiss her cheek. It makes me think of my own mother.
I wouldn’t have kissed my mother’s cheek in high school while in front of others if my life depended on it. Or maybe I’ve never been as scared for my mother as Jake is right now.
I sit at the bar top in Jake’s kitchen with him as he watches the clock for twenty minutes. He tells me that she’s worked more doubles this week at the diner than single shifts. That woman couldn’t say no to that sleazeball of a boss if she wanted to. He dangles her job in front of her like he’d take it away, but everyone knows he can’t. That place would fall apart without her.
At twenty minutes on the money, we head back into his room and her temp is down in the 101 range. I’m pleased, but Jake isn’t.
“It will keep going down, Jake. Just gotta give it some time.”
“What will go down?” Sharon’s rubbing her eyes and looking at Jake and me standing over her.
“Mom!” Jake yells as he rushes over to her. “You had a fever and Mr. Hill gave you medicine. You have been asleep all day. ”
Sharon chuckles. “Of course, I slept all day. I’m sick, boy. Ain’t no thang.” She rubs his knee. “You didn’t have to drag your boss out here.” Sharon is as independent as Cassidy. I know it will hurt her pride if I say too much.
“He didn’t know how much to give you, and I was dropping him off from work.”
“Oh good, you went in. I told you I would be fine.” She smiles and closes her eyes. “If you guys don’t mind, I’m going to sleep a little more. Kick this cold to the curb.” She smiles lightly and turns her face away from us, closing her eyes.
I nod and look over to see Jake feeling relieved, but still tightly wound. I doubt he’ll be able to get any decent sleep tonight. Now that he has that thermometer, he may rely on it as a lifeline until she’s better.
I make my way out of his room and stand in the living room waiting for him to come out. When Jake comes out, he brings out the plastic bag with the Pedialyte and an unopened box. He starts placing the items on the counter before he crushes the plastic bag up into a ball.
“Thank you for your help, Mr. Hill.” He meets my gaze and suddenly he looks a little older. The realization that help from others isn’t always a burden may be happening for him.
“Anytime. On my farm, you’re family. Take tomorrow off, and don’t be afraid to give me a call if y’all need anything.” I nod twice and give him a gentle smile.
“Thank you, sir.” I can see he has a small inner battle going on. Hopefully, his worry isn’t about money. I know it’s always tight for them. I won’t press because it’s not my place, and the kid has been through enough today. If he ever opens that conversation, I’d let him know I wouldn’t mind giving him a helping hand until she was better .
I make my way back to my truck and start it up right away. I don’t want to linger too long so Jake can get to whatever he needs to and worry less about company. On my drive back to the house, I call Cassidy and fill her in. She is both relieved and worried. I like her soft spot for the two.
Back on the property, Harrison is waiting for me on the porch at my place. I forgot that he said he would wait for me. He has made mention of something he wanted to talk about a few times now. I’m hoping he won’t mind tabling the conversation tonight. I’m suddenly dog tired from all the worry today; Cassidy at work, Jake missing, Sharon being sick.
Whatever Harrison wants to talk about seems like something that may take more than five minutes of my time, and I want to give him whatever he needs.
“The boy alright?” Harrison asks as I walk up.
“Yeah, Sharon caught a cold or flu. He was trying to figure out how to take care of her.”
“They alright now?” He stands as I walk up the steps.
“Yeah. Can whatever we need to talk about wait? I’m beat.” Harrison looks a little defeated at my immediate brush-off. I hate that he looks that way, especially after him being so understanding about the whole Cassidy thing.
“You know what, tell me while I eat.” I open the door and leave it open for him to walk through first.
“Your food’s in the microwave. I already ate mine.” Harrison all but skips into the house. “What’s all this shit, by the way?” He motions toward all the items I recently bought at the flea market.
“Homemaker shit,” I chuckle.
“Because you’re a homemaker now.” He slaps me on the back .
“Damn near tryin’ to be.” I shake my head and make my way toward the kitchen.
Harrison pitches me his idea, and it’s not half-bad. He wants to fix up the old bunkhouse and make it a nice spot for getaways. I don’t think many people will want to get away on a piece of farmland, but we’re not using the building for anything now.
His showing initiative in his own business venture is enough for me. I tell him to draw it all up and present the whole thing to me with financials. He tells me that off the get-go, I won’t have to deal with anything other than guests on my land. I don’t mind sharing a slice of my paradise with others as long as they respect it.
I can tell at the end of our conversation he wants to ask about Cassidy but thinks better of it. I appreciate him reading me well because after hearing his pitch I am done for the day.
Hell, I feel like I could be done for the week.