Page 69 of Harley

I had to admire the boy’s single-minded concentration. Oakley managed to get him different outfits and sets of pyjamas too. Archer decided on two winter coats and seven hats, gloves and scarf sets. He needed one per day, and then Oakley explained he would want them washed. This hadn’t been as painful as I’d believed it could have been. I was rather proud of how Archer handled everything.

But when he’d finished, Archer marched straight to the SUV we’d taken.

Oakley laughed at my surprise at his abruptness.

“I guess Archer’s done,” I said as I paid for the last few items.

“Yeah,” Oakley exclaimed as we chased after Archer.

“I wish women would shop like that,” I teased and received a frown from Oakley.

“Men need to learn when to shut up,” she shot back over her shoulder.

I laughed as I followed behind.

???

When we arrived home, we took the bags up to the bedroom. Archer shared with Aspen, unwilling to leave his mother.

“Are you better?” he demanded as he walked in.

“A little, darling,” Aspen replied. She was sitting up in bed, and I studied the woman who Oakley was feral about.

Aspen was still on the drip, but her hair had a shine it was missing days ago. She was dangerously thin, but her skin had a rosier tint rather than the grey she’d been. Aspen spent a lot of time sleeping, which everyone agreed was a good thing. I had the feeling that Aspen hadn’t slept much in recent years. It was a sure bet she kept a sharp watch over Archer.

In the four days since we’d rescued her, a warrant had been issued for Mr and Mrs Ferguson. Aspen had been requested to give a statement and had agreed. The manager of the care home, two doctors, and five nurses had also been arrested. The remaining staff had been suspended, and a team had gone in as ordered by the state. By all accounts, every medical record and client was being re-examined.

Leila, who’d been keeping a sharp eye on things, had informed me that another patient had been found under a false identity and heavily drugged. In Washington, the hospital was negatively making headlines. Several people had turned up to claim their relatives and move them elsewhere and had been refused.

A staff shortage has been revealed, which explained why everyone was drugged. There hadn’t been enough food, the bedding was dirty, and the list of crimes continued. Heads were going to roll, and not just at the hospital. Those who’d carried out checks clearly hadn’t done their job either.

“You need to get better, I want my own room soon,” Archer said, and Oakley and Aspen gasped.

“You feel safe enough?” Oakley asked.

“Uncle Harley has a gun. I saw it. He’ll shoot anyone who tries to hurt Mommy. These people keep my routine,” Archer replied.

Wow, it was that simple for him. As long as his routine was upheld, he was content.

“A gun?” Aspen demanded. I swivelled my head. How on earth did Archer know that?

“I saw him. He was cleaning it. I watched,” Archer answered. “Can I have one?”

“No!” Aspen exclaimed. “Guns are dangerous. Were you spying on Harley?”

Archer looked over Aspen’s left shoulder. “I have to make sure we’re safe.”

“That’s Mommy’s job. Not yours, baby.”

“But you said I’m your little man,” Archer replied and then turned his back on all of us.

He began laying out his outfits and marking the labels with the days of the week. As he completed one outfit, he’d write it down in his notebook.

“I’m impressed,” I announced as Oakley laughed. “I need Archer at the Smithy.”

“Why are you carrying a gun?” Aspen whisper demanded.

“Because I need to protect my family should anything happen.”

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