Alice jumped up and grabbed her cowhide bag.She slung it over her shoulder and hooked her arm through Mom’s.“We are off like a dirty shirt.”
“We’ll be back tomorrow,” Mom promised.“Carnie and Clove plan to come, too.They were making a hummingbird cake today and promised to bring a slice.”
Wrecker’s eyes slid to me.“You’re with her,” he said.
Not a question.
I didn’t hesitate.“Yeah.Wherever she goes, I’ll be there.”
“At least it’ll be easier once she’s out of here,” Wrecker grunted.
“Hopefully she’ll be out of here before dinner.”
He clapped me on the shoulder.“Good luck, and just check in every now and then, okay?”
Alice sidled up to him.“Ready to go, beardilocks?”She reached up and tugged on his beard.“I’m going to need you to climb up in the attic for me.”
“And what do I get out of it?”he said lowly.
She winked and leaned up on her tiptoes.“I’ll give you a glimpse of the lingerie Holstein.”
“Jesus,” I breathed out.
Wrecker grabbed her hand and tugged her out of the room.“Bye, Star!”Alice called.
Mason and Adley followed behind with a shout of, “See ya tomorrow!”
Mom gave Star a quick hug and a wide smile.“Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
Star nodded.“Will do.”
Mom looked at Mac.“Are you staying until she gets discharged?”
Mac quirked her lips.“I should, but I should really get back to the house and make sure it’s picked up.”
“I can bring her home,” I offered.
“On the back of your motorcycle?”Mac asked.
Well, that probably wasn’t the best idea.
“I can take Mac home, and then you can bring Star home in Mac’s car once they discharge her,” Mom offered.“I’ll bring your dad back here, and then he can take your bike to Mac’s for you.”
“That sounds like a lot of work,” I drawled.
Mom smiled with a shrug.“Work I don’t mind doing.”
Mac looked at Star.“Does that work for you?”
Star rolled her eyes.“Wow, how nice to be included in a decision about myself.”She glanced at my mom.“If it’s not trouble, that is fine.”
Mom patted her hand.
Mac shoved her notebook into her bag and hitched it over her shoulder.“Let’s hit the road, Karmen.I’ve got a couple of ideas for the party that we can go over.”She leaned down and pressed a kiss to Star’s cheek.“See you soon, sweetie.”
They headed out of the room, and then it was just Star and me.
I plopped down in the chair next to the bed and kicked my feet up on the wheel of the bed.“Get some rest.”
