Page 31 of Sweet T

Tucker smiled. “Deal. You can clean the bathrooms and take out the trash.”

“I did the same for Sherri.”

“Good. Then I don’t need to see your resume.”

“Thank you, Tucker. I mean it. Thank you for rescuing me.”

“Any time. You sound much better. Better than you did when I first came in here.”

“I am. Thank you for that, too.”

“You’re welcome. Finish up. We’ll have lunch by the pool. You’ll get to meet Shelly.”

Tucker stooped to scoop up Evan’s discarded clothing, keeping his eyes averted. The little devil on his right shoulder was jumping up and down, throwing a tantrum. The little angel on his left was beaming proudly as he exited.

“I’ll be right out,” Evan said behind him.

Tucker closed the door.

Seven

Tucker was finishing making the sandwiches when his phone buzzed. He reached across the counter and turned it over to confirm what he already suspected.

The text was from Shelly: Hey T. Won’t make it today. I want to get four more classes in before next Friday.

Tucker texted back.

4?! Aren’t they like 3 hours each?

He watched the little bubbles pulsate, waiting for her answer.

Yep. Plus homework.

Tucker picked up the phone and dialed her. When she picked up, he said, “Overachiever.”

“You know it. How’s the patient?”

“Fine. They released him. He’s here at the house with me.”

“You brought him home?!” Shelly asked, clearly leery of this development.

“Yeah. Hang on.” Tucker glanced to the bathroom. He could hear the water from the tub draining, so he went to the front door and stepped outside. The heat was stifling. “Shel. He doesn’t have anywhere to go. All his money was in that bag you were looking for.”

“Wow.” Her tone was sympathetic now, but Tucker anticipated another quick shift. Shelly was like a sister to him in many ways. Telepathy, being one. “So, what? You’re just going to bring him home with you, like a puppy?”

“What would you do?”

“Depends. Do you trust him?”

“I do.”

Another brief pause, followed by the crunch of an apple. “Then you’re doing the right thing.”

“Whoa. That was too easy.”

“Well, you have two options. Either your place, or you rely on the kindness of Aunt Barb.”

Shelly was referring to the Hawthorne House, a bed-and-breakfast in town. Barbara Hawthorne wasn’t their aunt, but she might as well have been. His father, Titus, Shelly’s mother, Roz, and Barb had all gone to school together and been inseparable since youth. Barb was family.

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