“Too much. I’m really worried about Lennox and what happens when they release him, and all these fucking news vans are still here,” I confess.
“Yeah, I was thinking about that too. I need to call Ledger and see how things are going there anyways. I’m not sure if Arlo has filled them in on what’s going on here or not. but I don’t want Lennox to leave the hospital at all if he’s going to get bombarded with nosey-ass people.”
“I agree.” A knock on the front door tells me our food is here. “I’ll take care of that. Why don’t you call Ledger, so we’re all on the same page.”
She nods as I head tothe front door.
I take a look through the peep hole—you can never be too careful—finding Arlo, so I open the door, ushering him in.
“I’ve got more in the car, but stay in here.” He drops off the armload he was carrying. He spins right around and walks out the door, coming back only a minute later with the rest of the groceries.
“Okay, I couldn’t find that fancy coffee thing you were asking for.”
“An Areo-press?” I laugh.
“Yeah, we’re small town here, man. We don’t have fancy shit like that. Why do you think Grind Time is so successful?”
“I thought it was because I cook good food and provide something pretty to look at,” I joke.
He blankly stares at me before moving to put food in the refrigerator. “I took the liberty of ordering one online. It’ll be here tomorrow. I got rush shipping.”
I don’t even try to hide my smile. His thoughtfulness, despite his gruff nature, tells me more about him as a person. “I appreciate that. How much do I owe you for everything?” I motion to the counter as we both put groceries away. It takes him far longer because he has no clue where things go.
“It’s taken care of,” he grunts.
“Arlo…”
“Look, Willow is like a sister to me. Hell, the whole family means a lot to me. I’m just trying to do what I can to make sure everyone is taken care of. And you’re not half bad, especially if you join me at the sheriff’s office.” He sneaks it in so subtly I have to admire his recruitment tactic.
“Well then,I owe you one.”
“You don’t, but I don’t have time to argue. Jim, Mabel, and Alice are down at the station, so we can discuss how we’re going to ‘take care’ of the media.”
I really laugh then. The three of them will keep not only Arlo busy but the media as well. Probably send them in circles on some wild goose chase. Honestly, I’d pay to see it.
“Have fun with that. Keep me updated,” I tell him.
“Will do. Let me know if you need any other supplies. The coffee thing is getting shipped straight here, so you won’t be long without your caffeine.” He doesn’t wait for a response, the pattern really starting to stand out, before he walks out the front door. I follow him, making sure to lock the door before turning back to go find Willow.
I find her sitting on her bed, looking far too beautiful for words. Her hair is in a messy bun on the top of her head and her blue eyes look exhausted, but she looks happy. I lean against the doorframe as she starts talking.
“Ledger said doctors are aware of the media shit and are planning to keep him until it dies down a little more. Lennox is fucking pissed. I had to talk him out of just walking out when he overheard Ledger talking about it. He’s stir crazy. He is literally never inside, so this is basically the worst-case scenario for him.” She sighs. “But everyone agrees that you and I need to just hide out and let everything pass. Ledg also wants to do a family dinner in the next few days.”
“Family dinner? Is this the same one you talked about a while ago?”
“Yep. Every week, we get together and cook one of our favorite meals. It’s been a thing since before our parents died, and Ledger kept it going.”
“I love that,” I whisper, wanting nothing more than to be included. To be important enough in her life to be considered family.
“It keeps us connected in a time where we’re all super busy. I’m not sure when that’ll be, but I told Ledger you would be coming. If that’s okay with you.” Her voice quiet, like she’s unsure if I would actually be okay with it.
“I would be fucking honored.” Uncrossing my arms, I walk closer to her, caging her in with my arms before she falls back against the bed.
“Yeah?” she squeaks as I press a kiss to her cheek.
“Very fucking honored.”
A few kisses turn into a make out session that wreaks havoc on my libido, but Willow stands by letting me heal more, refusing to do anything more. It’s sweet she’s worrying about me, but if she said it was go time, I’d pop those stitches in a second.
