But I needed to be here to take care of her too. I was torn. I couldn’t be in two places at once.
“I’ll be fine,” she mumbled. “Go.”
“I’m calling Beau to—”
The comforter flew back. “She is not driving the van.”
“I was going to say sit with you.”
She pulled it back in place. “What’s she going to do? Watch me hopefully sleep? I’m fine. I need you to use your charm to land us another customer.”
I didn’t like this. But she was right. She could rest more easily if I wasn’t hovering. I really wanted to though.
I kissed her hair. “Call me if you need anything.”
I found her phone and put it in the bed beside her, reluctantly pulling the door closed as I left. Powerless. That was how I felt. I hated it.
“You should eat something. We have a jam-packed afternoon.” Eric pointed to my untouched sandwich. He’d made himself at home and poured a glass of milk.
I was glad to see it.
I didn’t think I could eat anything but was compelled to try for Eric. I ripped off a bite with my teeth.
“Good, isn’t it?” he asked as I chewed.
“Very.” I nodded as I swallowed. “Does this happen often?” It seemed wrong to pump him for information, but I needed to know if this was a regular occurrence or a side effect of the fall she took.
“No. A few of our customers give her a headache, but I’m not allowed to say that in front of them.” He polished off his sandwich. “Do you have any popsicles?”
Honestly, I had no idea. I shrugged. “Take a look in the freezer and see what you can find.”
Muffy circled under my feet, impatiently waiting for me to drop a crumb . . . or a whole ham.
Eric poked around in the freezer for a while before he shut it. “I don’t see any. Maybe Miss Adeline will have some.”
“What’s your favorite kind?”
“Banana.”
I’d never had one of those, and truthfully, it didn’t sound too appealing, but he seemed enthusiastic about them.
I tapped out a text to my brother.
Banana popsicles please.
Are you okay?
I snorted at his response.
They’re not for me.
I got a thumbs-up emoji in response and secured my phone in my pocket. Muffy sat on my foot and panted. I dropped a piece of ham into his awaiting mouth. He swallowed it without chewing.
“Can you stay here with Lexie? Make sure she’s okay.” I was talking to a dog. Out loud. In front of someone else. Muffy wagged his tail. I pointed at Millie. “What about you?” I tossed her a piece of meat too.
“They’ll snuggle with her.” Eric warmed to the idea.
I wasn’t sure we could handle all the deliveries and the dogs, especially when I was distracted over Lexie’s condition. Hopefully, they would bring her comfort.
“Behave,” I said sternly, then motioned for them to go toward the bedroom.
They took off and I marveled at how well they understood. How smart they were. Too smart.
“Ready to do this?” I asked, depositing my empty plate into the sink.
Eric did the same. “Let’s slay this thing.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Lincoln
I didn’t get nervous.
But as we approached the front door of the potential new customer, I did. I couldn’t screw this up for Lexie. She was counting on me.
Eric looked sharp in his blue bow tie, which matched the dress Lexie’d had on earlier. He’d perused our closet until he found one that was similar in color.
Our.
I’d begun to think of the apartment not as solely mine any longer, but as our place. I hadn’t realized the transition had taken place in my head.
That made me less apprehensive than the idea of walking away from this townhouse without an order for dog food.
Eric pressed the doorbell with all the confidence I did not have. He’d done this before, and his swagger was no different than if we were here to actually deliver an order instead of attempting to get one.
A woman answered the door, seemingly surprised by the visit.
“Hi! We’re with Dog Love. We have the sample of dog food you wanted.”
I needn’t have worried. Eric had the situation completely under control.
“Oh. Of course. Come on in.” She stepped to the side.
“We don’t need to. Here’s your sample right here.” Eric presented her with the box. “Your dog will love it.”
He was a champion. An absolute champion.
She accepted it hesitantly as if she were waiting for him to tell her there were strings attached.
“We can make daily deliveries if you need. All of our food is fresh and edible for humans too,” he said.
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Where’s your doggie?” Eric peered around into her home.
That was a good question. If the doorbell rang at the apartment, Muffy and Millie would be the first ones there.
“He’s put away.” She waved absently behind her.
“He’s very quiet.”
She frowned at Eric’s other astute observation. Our dogs barked every time they heard a noise. I just hoped they didn’t bark while Lexie was sleeping. She needed her rest.
“Perhaps you’d like to come in and meet her.” Her expression turned pleasant so quickly, I almost doubted it ever wasn’t.
“We don’t go in people’s homes.”
The statement wasn’t meant to be rude and was spoken with a finesse only Eric could manage. He and Lexie were survivors and street smart. She’d taught him well.
He cocked his head. “I thought your dog was a he?”
The woman had referred to her pet as a he and then a she. I tried to keep my face pleasant because Lexie wouldn’t approve of Mr. Stoic making an appearance, but he was getting very close.
“Did I say she?” She shook her head in a silly me gesture. “It’s been a long day.”
“That’s okay. We have to go now,” he said.
We were almost back to the van when she called out. “How do I get in touch with you if I’d like to order?”
He slapped his pocket. “I forgot to give you a business card.”
He raced back to the door and held out the card. She grabbed him by the wrist and twisted him in a headlock so fast I barely had time to react.
“Oww!” he screamed.
I sprinted toward them. What was she doing? And why had I let him go back alone?
“You should stop where you are.” She pointed a gun at me and when that didn’t keep me from surging forward, she turned it on Eric.
No. No. No.
I skidded to a halt and she smiled the most evil smile I’d ever seen.
“That’s better. Now you’re going to get in the van and drive away.”
“Why would I do that?”
She pressed the gun harder into Eric’s temple. He writhed in pain.
“That’s why.” She did it again for emphasis. “And don’t bother calling the cops. They can’t keep me from seeing my son.”