Chapter 12 #2
I blink. “You don’t…you don’t work today?” I ask, confused. “Oh my gosh, please tell me you were not up this morning just to drive me into work!?” My stomach clenches again.
“Shh. It’s okay.” West comforts me. “And it’s no problem. I wanted to drive you.”
I can’t believe this man. Awake before five in the morning on a day he wasn’t scheduled to work, just so he could drive me.
“You are something else, you know that?” I smile. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
I sit back, closing the lid and flushing the toilet before trying to stand. West holds onto my arm and helps me get to my feet. My legs are weak, and despite West claiming I’m burning up, I feel anything but. My teeth begin to chatter, and I’m eager to go lie back down.
“I think I’m just going to go back to sleep, if that’s okay?”
West helps me across the hall to my room and tucks me under the covers once I’m in bed.
“I’m just going to get you some water. You get some rest, okay?”
“Thank you,” I whisper, my eyelids already closing.
I fall asleep before he makes it back with my water, and when I jolt awake a couple hours later, I feel a warm hand on my forehead.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” a masculine voice says through the haze.
“Sheriff?” I blink until I’m fully awake and see his silhouette above me. “You’re still here?” I ask, thinking I must not have slept for as long as I thought.
“Told you I wasn’t leaving. How are you feeling?”
“What time is it?” I ask through the grogginess.
“Just after two. You slept all morning.”
“And you’ve been here the whole time?” I ask, sitting up. My bones feel weak, but my stomach is no longer upset and I feel much better.
He nods in confirmation. “I have. I hope that’s okay. I wasn’t sure what time you feed your cat at, but I made sure to fill her dish. And I had my mom stop by. She dropped off her famous chicken noodle soup,” he tells me, and my heart can’t take it.
“You really didn’t have to do this. Though, thank you for feeding Pumpkin. I’m glad you aren’t so scared of her anymore,” I tease him, and he chuckles.
“She isn’t so bad after all. Cuddly thing.”
I laugh because I can’t believe this man has sat at my house all day, cuddling my cat and taking care of me. “Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it,” I tell him with sincerity. “And soup sounds perfect.”
“Great. Do you wanna take a shower and I can get that heated for you?” he asks, and my face flames. Oh God. I probably stink and can definitely feel that my hair is greasy. I hope to God I don’t have puke in my hair or on my clothes.
“Okay,” I say, pushing away the blankets only to realize I’m also not wearing a bra. I cross my arms over my chest and avoid meeting his eyes.
“I’ll just be in the kitchen.” He points his thumb out the door, leaving me alone to bask in my embarrassment.
Making my way to the bathroom, I cringe at my reflection when I see that the pile of hair on top of my head is not only greasy, but a giant knot.
My face is pale and my eyes tired. Quickly undressing, I get into the shower and wash off the remnants of being sick.
By the time I get out, my body is exhausted.
I change into a pair of sweats and a comfy sweater, not bothering with my hair.
My arms are too weak to comb it right now, so I’ll eat and then try.
Shuffling down the hall, I smell the delicious scent of chicken soup, and my stomach grumbles, eager to be fed. I sigh as I plop down on the bar stool, happy to be sitting again.
“Here.” West slides a bowl in front of me. “I swear there is nothing better than my ma’s soup when you’re sick,” he says with pride. Smiling, he places a spoon in the bowl, and I thank him.
“Do you want me to comb your hair?” he asks.
I moan as the flavours of carrots, celery and chicken hit my tongue. West is right. This is absolutely perfect.
“Oh,” I say, finally registering what he asked. “It’s okay,” I tell him, reaching up and playing with the wet strands.
“It’s no problem. Where is your brush?” he asks.
I hesitate before telling him it’s on the sink in the bathroom.
Returning a few minutes later with brush in hand, he sweeps my hair back and begins to lightly comb. I lean into his touch and am quite surprised when I feel what I think is him braiding my hair.
“Are you braiding my hair?” I ask, impressed.
“I am. Hope that’s okay?” he questions, pausing for a beat before continuing to make his way down the end of my hair.
“Of course. I’m just surprised you know how,” I tell him honestly.
“I’m not the best at it, but I do have a little sister and a niece, so as you can imagine, I’ve had practice.” He chuckles, making me smile at the thought of West doing his sister’s and niece’s hair.
“I really appreciate all that you’ve done today. The soup, the hair. It means a lot.”
As I finish the last bite of chicken soup, he ties my hair and grabs the bowl, rinsing it and putting it into the dishwasher for me.
If he’s not careful, I could get used to this. Someone taking care of me.
“I’m here whenever you need, Jade. It wouldn’t have felt right to just leave you earlier. Fevers can be dangerous, and I was worried you’d wake up and need help.”
“Well, I do apologize that you had to see me like that. I know I looked awful.” I shudder at the reminder of my reflection in the bathroom mirror.
“You’re always beautiful, Jade.”
I blush at his compliment and then send Sarah a text letting her know I’m feeling better.
“I hope Wren and Sarah were okay without me today,” I say.
West pulls out the stool next to me, taking a seat and scooping Pumpkin in his arms. I know she’s only six months old, but in West's arms, she looks tiny. I smile at the two of them.
“My mom stopped by the bakery before dropping off the soup. She said Wren was really enjoying it and that everything was going well.”
We spend the rest of the day enjoying each other’s company, and even though I’m feeling much better, he stays. Around five, his phone rings and he has to leave. I thank him again and close the door softly. Pumpkin begins to meow and scratch at it, as if she is telling him to come back.
“What do you think, girl? You like him, don’t you?” I bend to pick her up, stroking her soft fur. “Me too, girl. Me too.”