Hunt crouched by Chantal’s side. “Let’s see how you’re doing?”
“She’s thirty-one weeks along. It’s been an uneventful pregnancy,” Harper advised.
“Meet my sister, Nurse Nancy Harper Rousselle,” Chantal said.
“Channy, I worry about you. And Dr. Montgomery, I am a real nurse. My big sister asked for my help tonight. She is co-owner of the restaurant,” Harper uttered quickly.
Hunt pumped up the BP cuff. His expression turned dark. “Chantal, your blood pressure is a little high. Anyone’s BP would be high after that, but do you have a lounge area where you can lie down for a few minutes?”
“How high is it?” Chantal asked.
“High,” Hunt answered.
“There’s a couch in the back,” Harper said.
Kyle and Hunt walked Chantal to the back of the restaurant.
* * *
After the policetook their statements, Kip walked back into the staff lounge. “The police are gone. I’d like to make sure you get home okay.”
“My car is in the lot,” Chantal said.
“I’ll drive; you two and Kyle will follow me. It’s not like I don’t know where you live.” Kip winked.
Harper offered a sad smile. “Thank you for being so caring.”
At their home, Kyle and he walked the girls into their cottage, which was warm and inviting. Kyle double-checked that Chantal still had his number in case of an emergency. Hunt wouldn’t share her condition, but both men had worked with and been treated by Hunt. They knew he was worried.
Kip lifted Harper’s hands into his and placed another card inside. “Anything, you call me.” All it said wasKip Brennanand a phone number. It was different than the first card he gave her. This was personal.
Harper walked Chantal into her bedroom. “Channy, I’m worried about you. What did Dr. Montgomery say?”
“He said to check in with my OB. I was just stressed; that’s all.” She dug through her bag. “Moises handed me these. It’s your tips.”
“Idiots, I’m sure they didn’t tip. Did they even pay?” Harper opened the first envelope, from her third table—a generous twenty percent. She opened the second envelope. Inside was a note.Harper, you aren’t responsible for bad people’s behavior. Kieran Chase.The note surrounded ten one-hundred-dollar bills.
Chapter 5
“My head feels like it’s going to explode.” Kip stared up at the enormous home as they drove toward the front gate. “My house wasn’t small, and this place could hold three of my homes.”
Kyle pulled to a stop, and Kip rolled down his window. “I’m not staying. I have two tenants in the cottage. Treat them like my family.”
“Yes, sir,” one of the guards said.
“Family, huh?” Kyle asked.
“They were so sweet. Hunt was worried.” Kip was worried himself.
“Her pressure was 190/114. I saw it when Rich helped Hunt send a note to her private physician, Dr. Albert Melencon. He works for the Sommerstones. Damn, Kip. The more I see, the more I realize how messed up their medical system is.” Kyle pulled into the parking lot for their hotel. “We are all here to support you. Get some sleep.”
* * *
Thursday,August 23rd
Hurricane Greta T-6 days
The Suburban pulledup in front of the girls’ cottage. Kip hopped out and knocked on the door.
