“No, it’s easier to get a bucket under him if he’s here.” She pulled the coverlet over her shoulder, suddenly cold.
He nodded. “I moved the papers to the top shelf of your bookcase. I didn’t want Olivia to see them until you’re ready to explain everything to her.”
His voice was flat. Matter of fact. Hardly any intonation. It bothered her. She’d take him yelling at her again over this…nothing.
“Tinker—”
“I’ll give you your space, Abby. Read the full report, then let me know if you still want to know why.” He turned and strode out of her room.
She wanted to call out to him, but what would she say? Let me read it now and we can discuss it afterward? It wasn’t that easy. God, none of this was easy. She needed to talk to someone about it. She needed her mom.
She grabbed her phone from the bedside table. Her mom answered on the second ring.
“Hey, honey. How are the kids?”
“Hey. I think they’re over the worst of it, but now I’m infected.”
“Oh, no. Do you want me to come over?”
Tears welled up and she felt her throat constrict. “Can you?” Her voice sounded thick.
“Abby? What’s wrong? Is this more than just being sick?”
She nodded, then realized her mom couldn’t see her. “I got in a fight with Tinker.”
“What kind of fight?” her mom asked slowly.
Damn it. She heard the hesitation in her mom’s voice and understood Tinker’s reaction better. “Just an argument, but I need someone to talk to. Do you have time?”
“Of course. I’ll be over in about thirty minutes. I need to finish checking out and drop the groceries off at home. How’s your vegetable situation? I think a hearty chicken and vegetable soup would do wonders. I’ll grab a few more things.”
Abby chuckled softly. Her mom was the original Chicken Soup for the Soul mom. She believed it fixed everything. Cold? Chicken soup. Broken leg? Chicken soup. Broken heart? Chicken soup.
“Thank you.” Abby paused. “There are some papers on the top shelf of the bookcase. Can you read them when you get here?”
“Of course. Is that what you and Tinker were arguing over?”
Her mom was also incredibly perceptive. “Yes.”
“Is it bad?” her mom asked.
“It’s not great,” Abby said.
“Okay. Whatever it is, we’ll work through it. I’ll be there soon.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“I love you, sweetie. Try to get some rest.”
“Love you too.” Abby ended the call and set her phone down.
Sighing, she rolled to her side and placed the back of her hand on Will’s forehead. He was warm, but not hot like he was before, and he hadn’t woken up since earlier that morning. He was probably over the worst of it and would sleep the rest of it away.
Tucking her hand under the pillow, she closed her eyes, her mind drifting to Tinker. There had to be a reason for what he did. She couldn’t believe he could be violent for no reason. Didn’t want to believe it. There was no way a man as protective and caring as him would do something like that to another person and not have a motive. He’d been so good with Will and Olivia.
Melanie.
Her eyes flew open. Oh. God.
