“I’ve never been better.”
Chapter Nineteen
LEAH RELAYED THE lunch specials to the older couple sitting by the windows at the Salty Hog and took their order, trying to shake the feeling of dread that had been with her since early that morning. “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
She made her way to the computer to input the order, which would be relayed to the kitchen. The bar was packed for a Saturday afternoon outside of tourist season. Being that busy was usually enough to sidetrack Leah from just about anything, but that heavy feeling still clung to her like a second skin. She didn’t understand it, but she’d driven extra slowly on the way to Corinne’s to drop off the girls, and to work, and she’d asked Tank to be careful, too. But it wasn’t like he had anything dangerous going on. He was working at the tattoo shop, not the firehouse. Today of all days she should be on cloud nine, not fretting about who knew what.
Tonight Tank was taking her out to dinner and a movie on their proper date, a term she still found funny. Life with two toddlers was anything but proper. It was loud and chaotic. Even their love life took some creativity. Getting dressed after sex wasn’t optional. It was necessary. Leah longed to spend one entire night naked in Tank’s arms and wake up to a lazy morning in bed, loving each other until they were so tired, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, instead of speeding through a morning to-do list for herself and the girls, or rushing out the door with a backpack full of anything the girls might need while she was at work and worrying she’d forgotten something. Tonight she’d get that chance. She and Tank were staying at his place tonight, and Madigan was staying overnight with the girls at the cottage.
Starr sidled up to her. “Did you find out where Tank’s taking you to dinner?”
“No. All he’ll tell me is that it’s not in Harwich. Do you think the green dress I showed you is okay? What if he’s taking me someplace fancy?”
“You’ll look gorgeous in anything. Besides, Tank loves you in jeans and no makeup. Stop worrying about clothes and think about being on a real date with your man.”
“That’s all I’ve thought about for the last week, and Tank is as ridiculously excited as I am. Every time he walks past me, he whispers something like, Only three more nights, or, I can’t wait to get my girl alone.”
“You’re so lucky.”
“Is it bad that I don’t feel guilty about leaving the girls tonight? They adore Madigan, and they’re as excited for a slumber party with her as she is with them.”
“Guilty? Please. I’d pay a zillion dollars to have a guy like Tank love me enough to set that up,” Starr said. “It’s really romantic. I’m beyond jealous, and I want all the details of your kid-free night!”
“Dinner? Yes. Movie? Sure. Sexy times? Still off-limits.” Leah hadn’t shared any of the intimate details of her and Tank’s sex life with anyone. They were their secrets, and she liked it that way.
Starr rolled her eyes and switched places with Leah so she could input an order into the computer. “I’ll make you a deal. You can keep your sexy secrets if you’ll read the December book club selection and go to the meeting with me. It’ll be fun. I promise.”
“I don’t need a deal to keep my secrets, but I would love to do the book club with you.” She’d been so busy working on the memory blanket for Tank’s parents, she hadn’t picked up a book in weeks. But it was worth it. She loved piecing together Ashley’s life. It made her feel even closer to Tank’s family.
Starr wiggled her shoulders. “Well, look at you, all confident with your sexy secrets.”
They both laughed.
“Drinks up, Leah,” Ginger called from behind the bar.
“Gotta run.” Leah went to pick up the drinks.
As Ginger slid the drinks across the bar, Conroy came out of the office and said, “Leah, you’re just the person I was looking for. I’m working on the rest of this month’s schedule. I was going to give you Thanksgiving eve off, but I’ve learned my lesson about assuming where women are concerned.”
“I taught you well.” Ginger leaned over the bar to kiss Conroy.
Tank’s family was celebrating Thanksgiving with Reba and Preacher’s family, and Ginger had invited Leah and the girls to join her and Reba, Chloe, and Madigan the day before to make pies.
“If it’s not a problem, I would like to have that day off. Tank’s taking a shift at the firehouse, and I already mentioned baking with Ginger to the girls. But if you need me, I’ll make it work.”
“It’s not a problem at all. The girls need their Gingy time,” Conroy reassured her. “It’s going to be a great holiday this year.”
“I hope Tank doesn’t miss it. He said he doesn’t know what time he’ll get off on Thanksgiving, but he hoped no later than four or five.”
“He’s taken that shift every year since he started volunteering and he’s never missed Thanksgiving yet,” Ginger said. “He usually rolls in around three or four.”
“It’s good to be young. I couldn’t stay up all night and make it through a rowdy Thanksgiving without a nap.” Conroy put his hand on Leah’s back. “I’m glad you won’t be alone this holiday. Your first Thanksgiving without River might be tougher on you and the girls than you think.”
“Tank and I have been talking about that. I know it’ll be hard, but I couldn’t ask for more supportive people to spend the holiday with.” Leah put the drinks on the tray and felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out, and Corinne’s name flashed on the screen. The pit of Leah’s stomach sank. “Ginger, it’s Corinne. She wouldn’t call unless it was important. Do you mind if I take it quickly?”
“It’s fine. Take it in the office.” Ginger reached for the tray. “I’ll bring the drinks to your customers.”
“Thanks, sorry.” Leah hurried to the office and answered as she slipped through the door. “Hi, Corinne. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Junie. She’s got a fever of one hundred point five.”
“Oh no. She seemed fine this morning. How’s Rosie?”
“She’s not sick, but she’s worried about Junie. She’s such a little caregiver, rubbing Junie’s head and singing to her about making up games and watching the sunrise.”
“Idle Town.” She felt a tug in her chest, remembering how River would do exactly what Rosie was doing for them when they were sick. She touched her locket. “I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”
Leah ended the call, worried about Junie but breathing a sigh of relief. Junie’s fever explained the heaviness Leah had felt all day. She went to talk with Conroy and Ginger, whose only concern was for Junie. On the way to pick up the girls, Leah stopped to get Pedialyte and Pedialyte freezer pops.
When they got home, she gave Junie medicine and set her up on the couch with her blanket, Mine, and a sippy cup of Pedialyte to watch a movie. Rosie gathered their stuffed animals and put them all around Junie so she could be close to her fwends. Once everyone was settled, Leah texted Tank to let him know that Junie had a fever. She hated the idea of canceling their date, but she knew he’d understand.