Chapter6
Maverick
After Belle had eaten a few bites of toast and kept it down, I told her to get some rest, then went outside to check on my crew.Once I was satisfied they were fine without me, I headed inside to start the soup.
When the customer had approached me this morning and asked why the store wasn't open yet, I was immediately worried.I’d figured something had to be wrong for her not to show up for work.
When she didn't respond to my knock, I panicked.Thankfully, I had a key to the stairwell, and someone had left a spare key over her door.
I was almost relieved when I realized it was a stomach virus.I could handle that.I'd cleaned up plenty of my brother’s puke when they would drink too much when we were younger.
I wanted to help her feel better, so the shower was the first order of business.While she was cleaning up, I changed her sheets and checked the pantry.She didn't have much stocked for an illness, but she'd just moved in.
At the grocery store, I argued with myself in every aisle.I told myself I should drop off the food and leave.I didn't need to stick around and make sure she ate.But I couldn't seem to walk away, especially when I checked on her and she was sleeping.A sense of tenderness came over me, and I wanted to be the one to take care of her.
I’d ensure she was on the mend, and then get back to supervising my crew.But I could see what they were doing through the window, and they'd text if they needed anything.I wasn't far away if there was a problem, and I could pop down at any time.
When I called Aspen, she was more than happy to help.She mentioned that she wanted to talk to Belle about a part-time job anyway.
I was happy that she could help out in a pinch.The only reason that I was able to keep Belle in bed was because Aspen was downstairs working in her store.
Aspen: How's Belle?
Maverick: She napped and ate a few bites of toast.
Aspen: So you're going to work?
Maverick: I'm cooking soup.
Aspen: Wait a minute.Are you seeing Belle?
Maverick: What?No.Why would you think that?
Aspen: Guys don't take care of women they aren't into.
Maverick: Nice guys do.
Then I realized my mistake.
Aspen: No one's ever accused you of being one of those.
Maverick: Watch it.I can still come down there and remind you that I'm bigger and stronger than you.
Aspen: You wouldn't dare.
And she knew I wouldn't.I was just giving her a hard time.
Aspen: This is an interesting development.
Maverick: I don't think Belle has anyone to take care of her.
If she did, wouldn't she have kicked me out?Told me her mother or a friend was coming?
Aspen: I'm not sure her parents are the warm and fuzzy type.
I didn't know much about Belle's home life.All I knew was that her family's home was really nice, probably upper-middle class, and that her parents drove luxury vehicles.Belle wore name brands like the other girls in her friend group, and she'd said that she didn't need to worry about paying for college.I'd tagged her as the spoiled rich girl, but maybe she wasn't rich in the ways that mattered.
If I was sick, I'd have my mom and my sister, if not a couple of brothers, in my house, driving me crazy.But Belle hadn't said anything about someone being there for her.It was almost like she was used to going it alone.Hell, she wanted to go downstairs and work, and she probably would have if I hadn't stepped in.
