“It’s not here. Did you decide to play another disappearing game like ya did with the burgers?” Knight snapped.
“For the hundredth time, I didn’t take it. When I left, I set them right by the sink,” Patch said, exasperated. “What’s wrong with you, Sparky?”
“I don’t know. Halfway through PT my stomach started hurting and my throat’s kinda sore,” she told him.
Cole searched desperately, trying to stay unnoticed as he searched for the four-legged fiend who most likely stole the bacon. Brody slunk from the dining room and crept toward the hallway when Cole spotted him.
“Get over here,” he whispered furiously. “You trying to get us kicked outta this place?” he said as he walked toward the kitchen.
Knight stood in the middle of the room while Patch examined Sparky. “I’m telling you the bacon isn’t here,” he said, agitated.
“Calm down. I put it next to the plates. Sparky, have you taken your temperature?” Patch asked.
“Nah. I felt fine this morning. Did Leo turn the heat off? I’m freezing,” she said, shuddering.
“Cole, can you grab my bag from the hallway? I have a couple of flu tests. It appears Sparky may have caught it,” Patch announced.
“No. I felt fine earlier and I have too much to do. Samantha promised to give me a couple of books to read to Hannah and I volunteered to supervise the kids with the apple picking,” she said as Cole set the bag beside Patch.
“I’m swabbing your nose. Did you get the flu shot?” he asked.
“Yup,” she said as he took out the swab and tilted her head.
“Ughhh,” she moaned as he handed her a tissue.
Knight set a cup of hot tea before her. “Here, Sparky. I made you a cup of hot tea at three o’clock.”
“Stay away from me. You have to think about little Marcus,” she said, wiping her nose.
‘Too late, he and Gabby both have it. She won’t let me help her because she’s afraid I’ll get it. Michael checked on the baby last night and she got sick this morning,” Knight informed her.
She reached for the mug and took a sip. Cole noticed the goosebumps on her arms while Patch waited for the results.
“How about I take Ice outside for his bathroom break with Brody while you drink your tea?” he suggested.
“It’s okay. I’m not helpless,” Sparky said as she sneezed into the tissue.
“Let him take Ice,” Patch ordered as Leo came around the corner. “I’m calling Ty to pick you up. You tested positive.”
“Oh man,” she grumbled. “I’m sorry, guys, I exposed all of you.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Patch reassured her. “As you said, you felt fine earlier. Plus, I’m too ornery to catch the flu.”
“Don’t call Ty. He’ll leave work and he’s prepping for lunch. Cole, can you take Ice out and then drive us home? I’ll probably sack out the moment I hit the bed,” Scarlett said, sipping from the cup.
“He’ll be happy to do it while you call Ty,” Leo ordered. “We don’t keep things from our spouses, Sparky. We already do it for the job, but not our personal lives.”
“It’s only the flu. I’m a big girl,” she groused.
“Then act like one and call your husband. The two of you can decide whether he returns to work, but we won’t keep secrets from him. You’re part of our team, and he’s still uneasy about you working here. Not because he thinks you can’t handle it, but because you’ll act tough to prove yourself. You already kicked Cole’s ass, so you don’t need to. Call your husband.”
“Heyyy,” Cole said, wrinkling his nose. “Why don’t you rub it in a little?”
Leo winked in his direction.
“Ice, let’s go outside,” Cole commanded. The dog hesitated and glanced at Scarlett.
“Go with Cole,” she murmured, as she rubbed him behind the ears. “He’s taking you potty, and then we’ll go home and snuggle.”
