Raine rushed into the house and got cleaned up as fast as she could while I calledAbel.
His deep drawl came onto the line, sending chills down my arms instantly. “Hey, Crickett. Is everythingok?”
I started to pace in the kitchen. “Yeah, just got Raine home. She had a little bit of a rough day atschool.”
He sighed softly. “She’s been having problems with a few of the kids in herclass.”
“She told me. Can I take her for ice cream tonight? Cheer her up abit?”
I could hear the smile on his face. “After she does her homework, that sounds like a greatidea.”
“Awesome. How’s everything goin’?” I had no idea if I could even ask about what was going on with the missing club member, I just wanted to know when he was going to be coming home without sounding needy ordesperate.
“It’s goin’. I’m gonna have to be out of town for a few more days than I expected. You don’t mind staying at my place while I’m gone, do you? It’s a huge help to Holt andme.”
I didn’t even have to think twice about it. “Sure. I can grab the rest of my stuff from the motel in themorning.”
“Thanks babe. I have to run, I’ll be in touch. Kiss Raine forme.”
Holt ambled into the kitchen. “Was that Abel?” He asked, grabbing a beer from thefridge.
“Yes sir.” I took a seat at the breakfasttable.
Holt joined me. “Did he tell ya that he’s going to begone?”
I nodded. “I’m going to stick around here and help you with Raine. If that’s okay withyou.”
“If that’s what Abel asked you to do, that’s fine by me. We’re swamped at the garage and short staffed at the bar. It’s better if I’mthere.”
“Well, I’ll hold down the fort. I really love Raine. She’sawesome.”
“I can agree to that. Oh, I forgot to tell you. I brought your car back so you don’t have to keep driving that big ole truck around town, unless you wantto.”
“Thanks Holt, I appreciateit.”
Raine came down the stairs and Holt left to veg out on the couch after a long day at work. After homework and some ramen noodles, I took Raine to get ice cream in town. She was completely carefree, not showing any signs of the hurt or frustration she’d had when leaving school only hours before. When we got back home it was bath time, and then I read Cinderella toher.
Right as her tired eyes started to flutter closed, she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered, resting her head on myshoulder.
I kissed the top of her head. “So amI.”
I shifted out from under her, pulling the covers up and making sure she was tucked in nice andtight.
“Goodnight, sweetie. Sleepwell.”
Climbing into Abel’s massive bed not too long after tucking Raine in, with the soft cotton sheets and one of his soft white shirts and basketball shorts on, was amazing. I plugged my phone in on the nightstand, turned off the lights, and lay there wide-eyed. I knew I should have had a beer or two before bed to relax me a little but with being responsible for someone else’s kid, I just didn’t feel right aboutit.
I flipped through the late night channels trying to find something just boring enough to help put me to sleep. I finally settled on a documentary about cheetahs. The monotone voice of the narrator was as good as the Sandman throwing sleep in myeyes.
A few minutes later a text rattled my phone on the wooden table next tome.
Abel: Hope you’re making yourself at home, babe. Wish I was there holdingyou.
Me: Your bed is a little lonely without you init.
Abel: How’s Rainedoing?
Me: Fine. Much better than thisafternoon.
