“Carrying you home.”
“I’m too heavy. Put me down. I can walk.”
“You’re not heavy, sweetheart. Hold on tight to me until we get upstairs, though.” In my bedroom, I gently set her on my big bed. It takes a few tries, but she moves herself up onto the bed and puts her head on my pillow. She sighs and closes her eyes. I think the trip wore her out. “Can I get you anything? Water?”
“Yeah, water, please. And something for pain.”
I look at my watch. “You’ve got to wait another thirty minutes for the pain meds. You also need to eat something. They said you could eat regular food now but told me you should avoid anything spicy. What are you hungry for, babe?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
“You need to eat something before I can give you another pain pill—doctor’s orders.”
“Do you have any mac and cheese?”
“Let me see what I can scrounge up.”
“Nothing fancy. Just the stuff in the blue box is fine.”
Jesus, I haven’t had that shit since boot camp. Maybe it just sounds good in her weakened state, because if she were functioning at 100 percent, she surely wouldn’t ask for that. “Let me see what I can do. I’ll be right back with some water.” I pour her a glass of filtered water with crushed ice and take it to her.
She’s nearly asleep already, but she reaches up and sips the water. “Thank you. I’m just going to sleep for a little bit. Okay?”
“You sleep. I’ll cook.”
She nods and closes her eyes.
In the kitchen, I set a pan of water on my range to boil. I pull out a box of whole-grain pasta and grab every kind of cheese I’ve got in the refrigerator. I’ve got a thing for cheese. After all, cheese is an essential part of my taco fixation, so I keep a variety on hand. While I wait for the water to boil, I text Hank for an update. According to him, Hank, Kent, the undercover female officer, and about a hundred other of Chicago’s finest are all posing as hospital employees in the hopes their guy takes a shot at MacKenzie’s double. They’ve practically got a SWAT team on hand to catch the sick bastard. I hope it works but I won’t hold my breath.
Once the noodles are in the pot, I start a cheese sauce. I use a cup of milk and a half cup of creamy condensed soup as a base. Once that boils, I turn down the heat and add cheeses—stirring continuously until everything is melted. I drain the pasta and return it to the pan, pour the cheese sauce over the noodles, and stir. Voila, the best mac and cheese in the world is ready.
I grab a small bowl for MacKenzie and a large one for me. I fill each bowl, gather up some silverware, and walk back to mybedroom. She’s still asleep, but it’s important that she eat. I set the food down and gently run my fingers across her cheek. It’s enough to wake her without startling her. She blinks up at me and then smiles sweetly. Jesus, I could get used to this. “Food’s ready. You hungry?”
“Yeah. It smells so good.” She tries to sit up, but it hurts her. I lean over and place several pillows behind her to ease the move up. I hand her the bowl and wait. I’m anxious for her to taste my mac and cheese. She takes a bite and moans. “It’s so good, Sam.” She takes another small bite and closes her eyes. “I’ve never tasted anything so delicious. This isn’t from the blue box.”
“No. I made it from scratch. I’m glad you like it.” I move over to the other side of the bed and prop myself up against the headboard. I use a large spoon and take a giant bite. Now it’s my turn to moan. “Damn, I’m such a good cook.” I smirk. When I hear her giggle, I nearly get rock-hard. Not that I’ll try anything—she’s hurt. I’m not gonna lie, though. Seeing her in my bed looking all mussed is a turn-on. I also like feeling needed, and right now, she needs me. I hope this living situation isn’t temporary, because I need her just as much.
She only eats a few more bites before setting the bowl down. “I’m full. It was delicious. Thank you.” She leans back a little and closes her eyes.
“Let me grab your pain pill. Then you can get some sleep. Sound good?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
After she’s been medicated, I get her to lie back. I cover her with my comforter and run my palm over her forehead. “I’ll be right here if you need me. Okay?”
“Okay,” she says weakly. “Thanks, Sam.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
MEMORIES
When I open my eyes,I don’t recognize my surroundings. The last few days have been one new place after another. I can’t seem to get my bearings.Ugh, I’m sore all over. I attempt to sit up, but it hurts too much.
“Here, let me help you.”
I feel warm hands on my shoulders as he sets several pillows behind me. “Sam?”
“Uh-huh? You feeling okay this morning? You had a rough night.”
