I couldn’t stop a gasp when he turned the ignition and it purred. “What happened to the fanbelt?”
“Fixed it,” he said.
“You fixed it?”
“Actually, Rocky did, or one of his guys.” He shrugged, pulling out of the parking space and heading to the street. “New tires, and tranny as well.”
“What?” I squeaked.
“Baby, your car was fallin’ apart. Wasn’t happy you were drivin’ around in a death trap, so I had my guys fix it.”
“Were you going to tell me about it?”
“Tellin’ you now.”
“Ekyll?” Mina called from the backseat.
“Yeah?”
“Can we get ice cream?”
He glanced at me, and I shook my head.
“No,” he said.
Mina sniffed, and Jekyll scowled.
“You can have some ice cream after dinner,” I countered. “What’s your favorite flavor?”
More sniffing. “I don’t know.”
“Okay, baby, we’ll try a couple flavors tonight, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered, and Jekyll rolled his eyes.
“Thanks for making me the bad cop,” he whispered.
“You’re not the bad cop, Hyde. She just needs a little positive reinforcement. Just saying no might scare her away from asking again. She needs to know she’s safe. With boundaries, of course, but safe enough to ask for the moon.”
He reached over and linked his fingers with mine. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
I smiled, relishing his touch, but it was over far too soon. Jekyll pulled my car around the back to my parking space and turned off the engine. “I’m gonna get your chair. Do not move.”
I wrinkled my nose but nodded.
Great. That was all I needed...to be wheeled into my place of business because I couldn’t walk on my own yet.
Jekyll opened my door, lifting me gently into the wheelchair before helping Mina out of her car seat.
“Stay close, Mina,” Jekyll ordered.
“Will you hold my hand, honey?” I asked. “Help me be strong?”
She bobbed her head and slid her little hand into mine.
Jekyll wheeled me into the building, and just as we turned the corner, “Surprise!” was shouted by no less than twenty voices.
I couldn’t stop a slight jump before grinning widely. Bellamy, my dad, all the counselors and kids were gathered under a big “WELCOME HOME” sign, complete with noise makers and confetti which was now all over me.
