“Don’t tell me,” I said quickly. “Not yet. The less I know about where we are going, the safer we are while we wait for the answers.”
“Uh…okay.”
“This one should work,” Winifred said, straightening.
I accepted the shirt and went into the bathroom to change. It took some effort, and I ached by the time I finished. Wanting to lay down again, I left the bathroom and turned toward Winifred.
“Is Jim all right enough for me to return?”
“What happened to Jim?” Michelle asked, concern lacing her voice.
“He saw Olivia in the shirt she was just wearing,” Winifred answered.
“Oh.”
Emmitt suddenly got out of bed and strode toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Winifred asked.
“Don’t worry; I’m going to help. I have some advice to give Jim about cookies.”
He left, closing the door behind him and leaving me confused.
“Emmitt is Jim’s brother,” Michelle said. “Jim gave Emmitt a hard time when I first moved in with them.”
“So he’s going to give Jim a hard time? Now?”
“Probably.”
“But, Jim’s hurting,” I said.
Michelle sighed. “I know. So does Emmitt. He’s been more than a little worried since Jim saw you and recognized you as a potential Mate. We all have. No one wants Jim to suffer or die because of what he feels for you.”
I swallowed hard and said nothing. Fate was too cruel.
Fifteen
GABBY…
Something tickled my nose. I brushed at it and heard a rumbling laugh. Opening my eyes, I lifted my head to look up at Clay.
“How do you feel?” I asked, tiredly. I’d set my phone alarm to wake me every hour so I could check the Urbat movement. Once I verified they hadn’t moved, I’d gone back to sleep. Now, though, it felt like I hadn’t slept at all.
“Good. You look tired.”
“I am. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“I’m sorry I woke you. I need to use the bathroom.” He hadn’t been able to get out of bed because I liked to use him as a human pillow. He loved it, too.
I smiled slightly and rolled away from him. He moved to the side and sat up while he was still partially bent over.
“You don’t look good,” I commented, eyeing the broad, muscled expanse of his back as he stood. “I mean, you do look good. Really good from here, but your stomach…”
He turned toward me, tilting his head and giving me his full attention. I saw his whiskers twitch near his mouth and knew he was smiling at me.
“I’m just being extra careful, in the hopes you haven’t changed your mind.”
“I haven’t changed my mind,” I said, ignoring the blush creeping onto my face. “I won’t. I’m done waiting.”
