Clara cleared her throat. "You're going to go on that romantic getaway."
I finished the croissant, wadding up the wax paper and throwing it into the trash. "I can't."
"You can. In fact, we're going to make sure you can go."
I assumed it was an impossible ask. But now that it was a possibility, I felt excited. "I don't think he's happy that I said no." I hadn't heard from him at all, and Sofia was so disappointed.
"Shower. Nap. Brush teeth. Not necessarily in that order. Then decide when you wake up. But know this; we want to help. You've done so much for us."
I gave her a look. "What are you talking about?"
"You helped Angela put away her stock when the pipe burst. That's not your job."
"It's what anyone would do," I mumbled.
Clara gave me a look. "You would do anything for one of us, and it's our turn to do something for you."
I had wondered how much longer I could go at this pace without burning out. "I appreciate you offering to help. I'm not good at delegating."
"I figured that part out." Clara snorted, and then she stood. "Enjoy your nap. I've got this."
I finished my coffee on the way home, wondering when I'd been in my house recently, other than to grab more clothes.
Inside, I brushed my teeth, then put on pajamas. It felt lazy to sleep in the middle of the day, but I was so tired. As soon as I laid my head on the pillow, I fell asleep. I didn't wake until a few hours later.
I rolled over, my entire body feeling heavy.
I grabbed my phone, reading through the messages that came through while I was sleeping.
Clara: You better not come back to work today.
Now that I was nestled in my warm blankets, and she was handling Hudson and the pipe inspections, I didn't want to get out of bed. But there was something I needed to take care of. There was a little girl's disappointed face that I couldn't get out of my head. Then there was her father's. I just hoped they'd forgive me and give me another chance.
Maddox: Can we talk?
Eve: I'd love to.
I wondered what he had in mind.
Maddox: I'm working. Maybe when I get off?
I didn't want to wait that long. But I didn't want to spoil my plans.
Eve: Sounds good.
I showered, brushed my teeth again, and threw a sandwich together. Then I picked up cupcakes from Reina at Sweet Dreams and brought enough for everyone at the firehouse, including a box for my two favorite people.
I called ahead so that Steve could help me with the boxes. Thankfully, he was working the same shift as Maddox.
Steve met me at the back of my SUV. "What did you bring us this time?"
"Cupcakes," I said as I opened the rear door revealing several large pink boxes. "I wasn't sure which flavors you would like, so I got a little of everything."
He laughed. "You know we'll eat anything, right?"
I gave him a serious look. "I wanted to do this right."
"You had me at cupcakes. I'll take these into the kitchen for you and distract the guys. What do you have planned for Maddox?"
