“Sounds perfect.” She spun in her stool and looked around the room. “Is he here?”
“He stepped out for a bit. He told me to let you know he’d be back before supper.”
She felt disappointment at missing him. She also wanted to know who undressed her and put her nightgown on. She certainly wasn’t going to ask Mavis. If it wasn’t her, which she was sure it wasn’t, she didn’t want the woman to know that Lance had done it and she couldn’t remember.
Mavis placed a bowl of salad in front of her. “Oh, and these.” She set two white tablets next to the bowl on the counter. “Mr. Hartley thought you could use some acetaminophen.”
“Thank you Mavis.” She smiled looking at the pills. It was very considerate.
“You’re welcome.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “If you need me for anything, just holler, I’ve got housework to do.”
She felt the urge again to ask Mavis about who put her to bed, but her words failed her as the older woman left. She was sure it wasn’t her and if she mentioned it, she’d be embarrassed to let the woman know it was Lance. She would make sure to ask him instead. Her attention shifted to the salad. Tammy was quite famished. She actually finished the large bowl. It was really good. The lettuce was crisp and the crab fresh like she’d just gotten it from the sea a moment ago. She also drank half the pitcher of water. She put her dirty dishes in the sink and walked back out to the great room. She looked around wondering what she could do for the next few hours. First she would give Elaina a call like Lance promised she would.
“Tell me everything!” Elaina’s voice screeched through the phone.
Tammy laughed at her friend’s excitement. “The wedding went well.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”
“He’s been very kind.”
“What? Are you smoking something? Tammy, that’s so unfair it’s like you’re describing the weather. Look, have you made any headway with him? I mean it’s been so many years. You’re worse than me, and I needed a swift kick in the butt to forgive myself and let Colt back in my life. Please tell me you are taking this time and thinking about yourself for a change.”
“I kissed him,” she finally confessed sheepishly.
“Youdid?”
“Well, technically, he kissed me, but I think I did last night. Things are kind of foggy. I drank too much.”
“Tammy, you drank? What on earth is going on over there?” she laughed.
“I’m turning into a wild child.”
“I so glad to hear that!”
Tammy laughed this time. “Some friend you are. You are supposed to be discouraging me not telling me to sin.”
“No way! You are the last person on this earth that would have a little fun because you are so busy looking after everyone. Besides, I would love to have you as a sister in law! Gosh, I feel like a blimp. Speaking of which,” she laughs. “I need you here to look after me. Colton smothers me with love, but he doesn’t know how to handle symptoms, and he frets when he feels helpless. Jacob works too much and I’m afraid to call on him with the little time he has with Tessa and the kids.”
“You’ll be fine Elaina. Just get him to rub your lower back at night.”
“He does. He’s wonderful. I love him to pieces,” she sighed softly. “I really hope Lance sees how amazing you are too.”
“Me too.” She chuckled. “I miss you guys. I don’t like rich snobs.”
“We miss you so much. Mom says ‘hi’.”
“Tell everyone I miss them too. I’ll see you Thursday.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Mavis came into the room at that time. “Miss Easler, there’s a Richard Cavanaugh here to see you.”
Timmy’s face fell. What on earth was he doing here, in Lance’s home?
Mavis saw her expression and looked a little worried.
“Hi Tamara.”
