Chapter Twenty
Jordon pushed a shopping cart through the grocery store the next morning trying to decide the best options to make with the chicken and dumplings tonight.
She thought about the encounter the night before, sitting around the table talking about what she would cook.
She liked not having to make the decision all the time.
She liked that Spider and his brothers were willing to think about it and contribute, without being demanding or telling her she had to make what they wanted.
Sometimes her brothers got a little demanding, not just with her, but they’d try it with Mama once in a while.
Daddy didn’t put up with it and shut them down really quick when he sees it, but she was glad that Spider and the others didn’t even try.
She took her time in the store, knowing that she had time before Spider finished at PT and would be home. Not that she would start dinner right away. But she wanted to get the shopping done so she could spend time with him before she had to start cooking.
As she wandered through the store, picking up what she needed and browsing through what she didn’t, she thought back to the day before.
She couldn’t help but smile as she thought about how she’d managed to talk him into a nap, even if she’d had to lay down with him to get him to agree.
Then to wake up in his arms? She couldn’t remember ever sleeping so well, even if it was only for a couple of hours.
On a whim, she picked up a few extra things, knowing she would have plenty of time to whip up a little treat while she worked on dinner, and if she had her way, there would be plenty to last them at least a day or two.
Who knew how long a batch of cookies would last three grown men.
By the time she’d finished at the store, she thought someone should be back to the house they’d just moved into, so she headed that way.
Sure enough, the pickup they used when they took Spider anywhere was in the driveway. She parked at the curb, then grabbed all the groceries and went to the door. It swung open before she had a chance to knock.
“Here, let me help you with some of that.” Dax took the bags she carried, first from one hand, then the other.
“I’m okay carrying things,” she said with a laugh.
“Let him. It’s part of our thing,” Spider said from where he sat on the sofa, on the end this time, with his cast leg up on the footrest with a pillow under his knee. He looked pale and exhausted.
“What do you mean?” She stepped close enough she could lay a hand on his forehead to see if he was feverish.
“We know our women are capable. But if one of the Angels is around, they don’t have to lift and tote. That’s our job—it’s part of showing them respect.”
She lifted her brows at the ‘our women’ part but didn’t say anything about it.
“You’re clammy,” she said instead.
“I’m tired. We just got in. I’m going to sit here for a few minutes and rest a bit.
I took a shower before coming home. That’s part of it.
” He shook his head. “I would rather wait until I’m here but there are nurses and PT who can help while I’m there.
It’s safer, at least until I get this thing off. ” He laid one hand on his cast.
“Any word on how long until that happens?”
“They said maybe a week, maybe a month. I’m going next week for X-rays to check how it’s healing. They’ll make a decision then.”
She nodded. “I need to go take care of my groceries. I’ll be right back. Can I bring you anything?”
“Just you, wildcat. Do what you need to, then I’d like it if you’d come sit next to me and just be for a bit.” He patted the couch beside him.
“I can do that. Give me a few.”
In the kitchen she found that Dax had already put nearly everything away, except the cookie ingredients. Those were set neatly on the counter, as if just waiting for her.
“Does that mean what I think it means?” Dax said as she stepped into the kitchen.
She looked at the food then back to him.
“It does, but they’re a surprise for later. If you tell either of them before I do, I’ll make sure you don’t get any.” She narrowed her eyes as she spoke, hoping he wouldn’t laugh at her attempt to look mean.
He held up both hands in front of his body. “There’s no way I’ll put homemade cookies at risk. I’ll keep my mouth shut. Can I watch you make them, though? I’ve done a lot of cooking but it’s all meal stuff. I’ve never done any baking ... well, anything other than food like lasagna or enchiladas.”
“Sure. I don’t mind. I’ll start them when I start dinner, as I planned on having them for dessert.” She glanced at the clock on the stove. 12:17. “That will be around 4:00 or so. Sound good?”
“Sure.” He turned away then turned back around as if he forgot something. “oh, and I noticed the Brussels sprouts instead of the green beans. I’d like to learn how to make those too. I’ve never had them.”
Jordon shrugged. “I don’t mind but if you hang around too long, you’re likely to be put to work.”
“I can live with that.” He picked up the things he’d left on the counter and put them away.
She took a bottle of water and a can of soda and went back into the living room. There, she offered both to Spider. He took the water, so she popped the top on the soda and tipped it back.
“Where do you want me?” she asked, looking down at him. He looked worn out. She wished he would go take a nap.
He patted the seat next to him. “Right here.”
She stared at the seat for a moment. “Any way I can talk you into lying down for a little while?”
Spider shook his head. “Nope. But we can sit here and relax. Grab the remote and we’ll turn something on.” He didn’t bother to lift his head, even as he watched her.
She watched him a moment longer, then shook her head, grabbed the remote as well as her Switch, and took them back to the couch. She settled in beside him and handed him the remote.
“No, you choose,” he said, pushing the remote back to her.
“What do you want to watch?”
“I don’t care. I just want you here next to me.
” He stretched one arm around her shoulders and tugged her against him.
She liked that he wanted her close. She turned on the TV and flipped through the channels until she found something she could zone out to, and hoped he would do the same.
She wouldn’t mind if he drifted off to sleep right there.
PT had obviously taken a lot out of him this morning.
With the TV on Bob’s Burgers, she pulled her Switch onto her lap and powered it on.
“What are you going to play?” Spider asked, his voice soft, almost sleepy.
“I’m not sure yet. I thought I’d sit here with you and play for a little bit. Would you rather play?” She offered him the device.
“No. you go ahead. I’m going to rest. I’ll just rest better with you here.
” The arm around her shoulders tightened for a moment, then relaxed.
She tilted her head to fall against his chest. She liked his hugs, even if most of them had been from the side or when she’d bent down over him, either in bed or in the chair.
Though she couldn’t help but think of waking up yesterday afternoon in his arms. It was something she could get used to if she wasn’t careful.