Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
MATTHEW
H olding a box of donuts, I knock on Tandy’s door. It’s Sunday, and we planned to take a walk around the neighborhood this morning. Sunday is the one day nothing really happens on the ranch.
She doesn’t answer, and I press an ear to the door.
A cat jumps into the front window, and I’m not sure if it’s Chip or Dale. It’s hard to tell those two apart.
I ring the bell and listen for movement inside. Even though I have a key, I hesitate to use it. It’s early, and if she’s not expecting me, barging in could make things awkward.
The kitty is now meowing in the window, and my concern ramps up.
“Tandy.” I rap on the door. “Open up, honey. I brought donuts.”
There is a loud thump, followed by footsteps and coughing.
Tandy says, “Coming.” But she sounds off.
As soon as the knob turns, I push the door open, and Tandy tumbles backward. The donuts fall as I reach out to catch her. “Whoa there.” It doesn’t take a doctor to see that she is sick. “You need to lie down. Bed or couch?”
She narrows her eyes and stares at me. “I am not going to bed with you, Matthew. If you didn’t like me before, there is no way you’ll like what’s under my clothes now.”
Fevers make her honest, apparently. But now is not the time to discuss what she said.
“Couch it is.” I guide her to the ugly sofa and ease her onto the cushion. “Stretch out. I’ll go grab you a pillow.”
When I step away from the couch, the cats run into the kitchen. They probably need food, but they’ll have to wait. I need to get Tandy settled first. There are medicines on her nightstand, all over-the-counter stuff. But there’s no indication of when she last took anything.
I grab two pillows and hurry back out to the living room.
Tandy is curled up on the floor, and there is a cat sitting on her hip. The other is staring Tandy in the face and meowing.
As I lean down to lift the cat off her, Tandy coughs, which startles the tabby. So I use that moment to lure the cats away from her. I tap my leg as I walk to the kitchen. That’s all the convincing these cats need to follow me. I fill the food bowls and make sure they have fresh water. Now that their needs are met, I can focus on Tandy without their interference.
She’s still curled up on the floor and turns her head to look up at me. “Did you say donuts?”
“Yes, and I should grab them off the porch. And maybe close the front door.”
Her eyes widen, and she pushes up. “My cats. Did you let them out? They can’t be outside.” Sitting up, she blinks. “Please find them.”
I set the donut box aside and kneel beside Tandy. “Chip and Dale are in the kitchen, eating their breakfast. They did not get out. Now, let’s get you on the couch. It’ll be much more comfortable than the floor.”
She nods, then starts coughing. “I don’t feel good. And I blame the stupid shoppers who wouldn’t cover their mouths.”
“Me too. Come on. Put your arms around my neck.”
Shaking her head, she rolls onto all fours. “You can’t lift me, Matthew. I’m too heavy.”
“No reason for jabs about my lack of strength. I’m trying to help.” I hold out my hand.
She waves me off, then climbs up onto the couch. “I can do it.”
I stay by her side, ready in case she starts to topple. And once she’s curled up on the couch, I make sure the pillows are in the right spot, then cover her with a blanket.
“Thank you, Matthew. You don’t have to stay. Just give me a donut, and I’ll be fine.”
“Hogwash. I’m not leaving.” I help her sit up and hand her a donut. “Want something to drink?”
“Just water. But you can make yourself coffee. You know where everything is.” She hands me the half-eaten donut. “I’m done.”
I tuck the blanket around her, then head to the kitchen and brew a pot of coffee. With the Shakespearean insults mug full of coffee, I ease onto the floor beside the couch. My task today is to be here when and if she needs anything.
Tandy runs her fingers through my hair. “You might get sick if you stay.” She sounds barely awake.
“A risk I’m willing to take. When did you last have medicine?”
“A while ago. Maybe.”
I reach back and touch a hand to her cheek. “You have a thermometer around here?”
“In the drawer on the island. Not the side close to the sink.” She moves her hand as if her directions help at all.
“I’ll find it.” I work my way to my feet and kiss her temple before walking away.
The thermometer and a million other things, including googly eyes, spray-on hair color, and an air horn are in the drawer. So it takes a minute to find. Then I wash it for obvious reasons.
She flashes a weak smile. “You found it.”
“When did you color your hair blue?”
“Halloween. I was a blue-haired old lady. I had all the kids convinced. And I handed out lots of good candy.” She slides the thermometer into her mouth.
By the time it beeps, her eyelids have closed. I brush silver strands out of her face and read the temperature. It’s elevated a little, but not high, so I’ll let her sleep for a while. But I’ll stay close.
Back on the floor, I tip my head back and close my eyes. I’m glad we had plans this morning. Otherwise she would have been all alone.
That thought needles me. So does what she said when I asked where she wanted to lie down. But that’s a conversation for another day. Or maybe never.
Keys jingle, and I rub my face. Tandy is still sound asleep behind me, and now she has a hand resting on my shoulder. The door swings open, and Colt steps inside.
“Oh, sorry to intrude. She just hadn’t answered her phone all day, and I kind of started to worry.” He waves and steps back.
“You don’t have to leave. She’d want you to at least raid the fridge.” I point to Tandy’s hand. “I’d get up, but…”
Colt nods. “Food does sound good. I’ll see what she has.”
“Thanks for coming to check on her. I appreciate that. A lot.”
“I should’ve figured you’d be here, but honestly, I never even thought to call you. I guess y’all missed your morning walk.” He disappears into the kitchen and returns a few minutes later with a meatloaf sandwich. “You want anything? You know, since you’re being held down.”
“I’m good right now. There are donuts if you need something sweet.”
He shakes his head and pats his stomach. “Gotta watch my figure.”
Colt doesn’t stick around long, which is probably for the best. Tandy would feel awful if he got sick.
But her hand is getting really warm, so I lean back and stroke her cheek. “Pretty sure it’s time for you to take some medicine.”
Her eyes open for a moment, and she smiles as they close again. “You’re still here.”
“I’m not going to leave you by yourself, Candy girl.”
She huffs a laugh. “You didn’t sign up to take care of me. Only married people are required to stay when someone is sick. I’ll be fine by myself.”
“Are you suggesting we get married, Tandy?”
She’s wide awake now. “That is not what I said.”
I kiss her forehead and get pills out of the bottle. “While I’m sure you can take care of yourself, I don’t want to leave. Those two beasts of yours were not pleased that you hadn’t fed them. But I showed up in the nick of time. They were nearly starved.”
Grinning at my stupid joke, she sits up and swallows the pills. “They played you, Matthew. I fed them bright and early this morning.”
“Now I feel used.” I sit down on the end of the sofa and set a pillow in my lap.
She stretches out again and rests her head on the pillow. “I wanted to go to the ranch and see the progress on the foreman’s house.”
“Not today. You need to rest and shake this bug.” I run a hand down her arm, then pull the blanket over her.
“What if you get sick?”
“You can return the favor and take care of me. I suppose I should call Dallas and postpone the meeting.”
“I’ll text him. Will you get my phone from my bedroom?” She sits so that I can get up.
“Be right back.” I wag my finger at the cats who played me for a fool. But they don’t seem bothered. When I return to my seat, Tandy snuggles back into place. She taps out a text to Dallas, letting him know she’s sick.
Tandy hands me her phone. “Hang onto this. If he responds or calls, you talk to him. I’m going back to sleep.”
Dallas responds a few minutes later, saying that he’s headed over.
And I type out a text.
Me (on Tandy’s phone): This is Matthew. I’m here. You don’t need to rush over.
Dallas: Oh. Will you keep me updated?
I send him my number.
Me (on Tandy’s phone): I will. And you have my info in case you need to get a hold of me.
Dots dance on the screen, then stop. After several minutes, a message pops up on my phone.
Dallas: Thanks for looking after her. And please call if she needs me.
I send a thumbs-up, then set the phones aside.
When Tandy is better, we’ll reschedule with Dallas. I bet he has no clue about the opportunity coming his way.
She shivers, and I tug the blanket over her shoulders.
Then I tap out a text to my grandsons.
Me: Either of y’all have time to run out to the ranch and throw some clothes in a bag for me? Tandy is sick, and I don’t want to leave her alone.
Eli responds within seconds.
Eli: Sure thing. And I’ll drop off something for lunch. Be there in about an hour.
Thankfully, my grandsons seem to be fine with the idea of my dating Tandy. I’m not sure what my sons and daughter will think. But the next time we all get together, I’m inviting Tandy over so they can meet her.
I’m hoping that goes well.