Page 18 of Axe Marks the Spot

“Levi, I don’t do well with kids.”

“Bullshit. You may be broody and like to spend time in the woods, but the people who do know you know you’re a nice guy. You’re trustworthy, too. I already asked the city council director that runs it, and he thought you’d be a great fit.”

“You what?”

“Look, man. Do it for the children,” Levi pouts.

I run a hand through my hair and groan. “There’s got to be someone else.”

“Not someone who has experience with the course and the games. The whole draw was having a real ‘lumberjack’ work with the kids. They’ll be disappointed if David-from-the-bank shows up to teach them.”

“David-from-the-bank is a nice guy.”

“With horrible aim. He could end up getting one of those kids’ eyeballs axed out. Come on, man. If you won’t do it for me, do it for the kids who will cry and be sad if it has to be canceled.”

“There is really nobody else?”

“Can you think of anyone you’d trust with kids?”

“Fox?” I say.

“Already asked. Said he’s planning his wedding and helping out with his niece or something? I didn’t ask questions.”

While I know Fox and Morgan have a new partner in their lives I haven’t met, I had no idea Fox had a niece. Maybe she’s related to their new man.

The muscles in my jaw tick. “It’s only on Fridays?” I can’t believe I’m really considering this.

“Yep. From one to three PM. Two hours of your life, once a week. It’s only for a month. Four classes total.”

“How many kids?”

“Nine—no, wait, ten! I got a text that there was a late sign-up.”

“You’ll tell me what you had planned?”

Levi grins sheepishly. “I was sort of going to wing it.”

“Of course you were.”

His grin turns devilish. “Does this mean you’ll do it?”

My jaw ticks again before I exhale and relax the muscles.

“Is that look on your face an agreement?”

“I’ll do it.”

Levi smiles wide, holding out his hand, and I force myself to shake it.

“I have your discharge papers here to sign. We’ve got a wheelchair coming to take you to your car.” An older nurse walks to the side of Levi’s bed and hands the stack of papers to him. He signs as she gives him some instructions to take care of his leg.

When the wheelchair arrives, I help Levi down, and before long, we’re ready to go. While I won’t be taking care of him, I offered to bring him back to the cabin he’s renting since it’s not far from mine.

The nurse begins to push his chair, and when I try to take over, she bats me away, claiming hospital protocol.

We exit the room, and I follow close behind. The Starlight Haven Hospital is small, and we have to walk through the ER hallway to get to the parking lot. It’s louder in here, and I can hear someone complaining about their stomach hurting while a female voice tries to calm them.

“I told you when you were in here last week that you can’t eat nuts anymore, Mrs. Crane. Diverticulitis isn’t to be messed with.”