Page 84 of Missing Marcus

“You’ll need to come with me. Lately, you’ve left by the time I get up and don’t return until dinner. I don’t know when to schedule it,” she admitted as she stared out the window.

“Call the office and set up the appointment. I’ll work around it. I’m working out with Saint and the team. Taco and Matthew provide updates on what’s happening with the case. It sounds like they’re making progress since you cracked the code.” Knight reached for her hand and placed it on his lap as he drove into town.

“All right. I already worked out a budget for the hospital and set aside money for what the insurance doesn’t cover. I hope this baby arrives before I lose my job.” Gabby unconsciously rubbed her stomach, appearing stressed.

“We’ll figure it out.” He pulled into the grocery store parking lot and shut off the engine. “Wait for me,” he reminded her before getting out. Scanning the parking lot, he noticed Leo’s truck parked and Matthew’s vehicle pulling into the parking stall.

Helping her down, he kept her on his left side as Matthew fell in beside her.

“Hi, Matthew,” Gabby greeted.

“Hello, Gabrielle. He nodded at Knight. “Did you make a craving run?” Matthew asked as if he’d merely run into them, and Gabby never noticed.

She laughed and held a hand to her baby bump. “Tiger filled up on tacos and now wants pizza.”

“Tiger?” Matthew asked, confused.

“Marcus gave the baby a nickname since we don’t know the sex,” she explained as Knight pulled out a cart and let her push. She placed her purse inside.

“I used up all of Tess’ creamer and came to pick some up. I hope you two enjoy your evening.” Matthew nodded before strolling down the aisles, scanning them.

Gabby picked out a few veggies and a couple of fruits before walking to the deli aisle. “May I get a quarter pound of the baby Swiss?” she asked the employee.

“They have the cheese with cranberries.” Knight pointed at her favorite.

“I don’t want to purchase too much before we leave,” she informed him as she stared at the selections.

“Can we have a pound of the cranberry cheese?” he insisted. “You’re not going without. Tiger may get a hankering at midnight and they close up early in this town.”

Gabby smiled widely, and his heart soared as Patch came up from behind him.

“Hey, Asshole,” he muttered as he walked by him. “Hi, beautiful. What made you come into town with this big lug?”

“He’s buying me pizza and apple pie,” she replied as she noticed Patch’s girlfriend. “Hi, Claire.”

“How are you, Gabby? Patch didn’t finish the grocery run for the team, and I decided to join him. When you come to Bryanna’s shower, bring a few bags. The grans made meals for us to take home and freeze.”

“How nice. Can I pay them for the food?” she asked as Patch motioned Knight to the side and Claire responded, occupying Gabby.

“I put the freezer bag in the back of your truck. Leo’s covering the back of the store. Saint’s sitting in the parking lot. Don’t go out until I signal the all clear.”

He nodded before approaching Gabby. “Why don’t we get what you’re craving since the grans made stuff for us? I can always make a trip down if we need anything.”

“It sounds like a plan,” she agreed as he led her away from the group after they said their goodbyes.

“Claire seems nice. Why does Patch call you Asshole?” Gabby asked as she picked up a package of spaghetti noodles.

“Do you disagree?” he asked teasingly.

“Nope.” She proceeded down the aisle with a slight smirk, making him scowl.

She stopped at the store’s floral aisle. “I want to take flowers to the service tomorrow. I wonder if her sister plans on having one in Ohio. I want to send flowers there, too. Knowing they didn’t get along, I’m unsure what she might do.”

“We can’t control what she does. I’m not thrilled you want to attend tomorrow, but I understand why. I’ll forever be grateful to her for caring for you when I didn’t.” He waited patiently as she picked a vase of multicolored flowers and added it to the cart.

“After we pick up the cheese for the pasta dish, I’m ready to go,” she told him as she searched in her purse for a tissue. Her eyes turned watery as she gazed at the bouquet.

“I’m sorry, Gabby,” he whispered as he placed his arm around her and gave her a gentle squeeze. Knight kissed the top of her head without thinking, the action felt natural and he missed her terribly. The scent of vanilla hit his nose as she straightened and nodded as if recalling they weren’t together anymore.

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