“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate. “I want. I want to be there for everything. Do you have it scheduled already? I’ll block it off in my calendar so I don’t get scheduled at The Trident.”
She smiled as she handed him a small card. Just as he reached for his phone, the alarm went off.
“Oh. Shit! I almost forgot.” Hawk stood. “How is your stomach now?”
“It’s good. I should probably head out and get something to eat.”
Jessie started to stand when his hand landed against her shoulder. Like hell was she about to leave. He was taking care of her the rest of the day.
“Sit.” He tried not to growl the command, but failed. “You need to rest, and I want to take care of you both today. Remember?”
She smiled. “I remember.”
“Good. Let me go grab what I’ve been working on all morning instead of paying attention to my real work,” he laughed as confusion had her eyebrows pulling down towards her eyes.
Dawn:
Hey, Jessie! I saw Dolly had you blocked off the schedule today. You’re not still sick are you? I feel so bad, I’m pretty sure Annabelle and Arden are patient zero and one for this whole flu outbreak!
Adrienne:
Damn girl, still sick? You want me to bring anything out to the ranch?
Dawn, no! Don’t worry! It’s not the flu. TMI, but I had a problem with my IUD. Just got it out and needed to take the day off. But I’ll be back tomorrow.
Adrienne:
Ouch! That sucks. Hope you don’t feel too rough from it!
Dawn:
Lots of pain relievers, girl! And a heating pad in bed! When I had mine taken out before Brian and I started officially trying to get pregnant, I was IN PAIN, crying like a lunatic after. They say you shouldn’t feel anything, but I’d like to shove one up Dr. Madden’s dingaling and pull it out and see how he likes it!
Shit. Apparently it hurts to laugh.
Hawk walked back into his office as Jessie pressed her hand to her side. She wasn’t lying to her friends, laughing felt like it was pulling a muscle deep inside her belly. His eyes dropped to her hand and he frowned.
“Are you in pain?”
“Only from laughing. Dawn and Adrienne were asking if I’d be at the diner later, but I told them I had today off. Dawn made me laugh with something she said, and I’m just… sore.”
He nodded, and that’s when the aroma of whatever he was carrying hit her.
“What is that? It smells exactly like my mom’s Thanksgiving dressing.” Her stomach growled for the first time in days, and she could barely hold back the urge to grab the dish right out of his hands and dig into it.
“That’s because it is.”
“How did you get her to make some? She only ever bakes it in November. I’ve asked her before and she always says ‘I make enough of it in November that I don’t want to think about it the rest of the year!’”
“She didn’t make it. I asked her for the recipe so I’d always have it on hand, and made it for you.”
“You…”
“I baked it. I think it might have gotten a little too crispyon the top, but I have some extra broth up in the apartment that I can use to make a gravy and we can pour it on top if that sounds good to you.”
Her heart was fluttering wildly. She’d mentionedoncethat it was the only food her body craved and Hawk had gone out of his way to make sure he not only had it for her, but he’d gotten the recipe himself and spent time making it. “I actually really love the extra crunchy bits.”
His whole face lit up, and suddenly, they were too far apart. “Perfect.” Hawk moved to his desk, grabbing his laptop with his free hand while still balancing the baking dish in the other. He dropped the computer into his bag and then a few extra files chock full of papers before he slung the strap over his shoulder and turned back to her.
