Back at our room, I knocked softly before using my key. “It’s me.”
“Come in,” Alex called, voice still thick with exhaustion.
She was propped against the pillows, phone in her hands—pale but more alert than when I’d left. The covers were pulled up to her waist and I noticed she’d opened the curtains a bit.
“How are you feeling?” I set the bags on the dresser and held up the coffee. “Brought you the good stuff.”
Her face lit up as I handed it to her before brushing my lipsagainst hers. “You didn’t.”
“I did,” I smiled as she took a sip—her shoulders relaxing slightly. Maggie moved around the room, inspecting with her nose.
“This is perfect,” she murmured, taking my hand. “Thank you.”
I moved to sit on the edge of the bed. “Mom sent breakfast too, and El sent supplies. Pads, tampons, heating pad, and a blanket.”
“Your sister is an angel,” Alex took another sip of coffee. “I texted Tabitha and told her I won’t be online for a couple of days.”
“Good,” I studied her face, evaluating her current state. There was still tension around her eyes, and she moved gingerly. “You don’t have to do anything today. Just rest.”
“I know,” her eyes fell to the side. “I just hate feeling useless.”
“Do you even relax when you go on vacation?” I teased gently, getting up to get breakfast.
“Bold of you to assume I ever take vacations,” she quipped back before sighing. “But I’ll try to relax while we’re here.” I brought her the container of eggs, bacon and toast along with a fork.
“Sorry, I don’t think the toast is crisp anymore.”
“Oh I don’t care,” she picked it up and took a bite. “This is great.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed again and we ate in companionable silence. I took the container when she was done and offered to refill her coffee, which she accepted eagerly.
Maggie reappeared at the side of the bed, resting her chin on the mattress near Alex’s hip. Her tail gave one careful wag.
Alex looked down at her, then back at me as I set her coffee and the TV remote on the nightstand. “What’s she doing?”
“Waiting for permission,” I scratched behind Maggie’s ear. She made a small whimpering sound. “She wants to come up and keep you company, but she won’t without an invitation. She’s good at knowing when people need comfort.” I met Alex’s eyes. “Up to you, though.”
Alex looked down at Maggie again, who was maintaining herperfectly still position—chin on the bed, large brown eyes hopeful but patient.
“Okay,” Alex said softly. “You can come up, girl.”
Maggie’s tail thumped once before she jumped up gracefully, circling twice and settling against Alex’s legs over the covers. She laid her head on Alex’s thigh and sighed contentedly.
Alex reached down to pet Maggie’s head, fingers threading through the soft curls as her body visibly relaxed more against the pillows. “This is... actually really nice.”
“She’ll stay with you while I’m working,” I checked the room one more time. “I sent you El’s number. You can text her or me if you need anything. I’ll have my phone. If Maggie needs to go out, just have El send Belle over to fetch her.”
“What are you going to do today?”
“I was in the middle of fence repairs before I came down to see you. I want to get them finished while we’re here.” I leaned down to kiss her forehead. “But it’s nothin’ that can’t wait if you need me.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, but her free hand caught mine. “This is... thank you, Finn. For taking care of me.”
“Partners,” I said simply. “Get some rest.”
I closed the door carefully and headed back out to get some work done.
Chapter 30
