Page 15 of Crazy in Love

He shrugged.

“She needs you, Dad,” Faith said. “You’re grieving. I get it. We all are. But you can’t allow her to derail completely. It might start with sassing and swearing, but those things left unchecked will lead to more serious behavior. She needs rules and boundaries. And she needsyouto set them for her.”

“She’s just processing in her own way. She’ll be fine.” He got up and put his plate in the sink.

Faith stood. “I’m leaving to run some errands. Please ask Hope to do the dishes.”

Under no illusion that he would ask, or that Hope would do them even if he did, she left. Maybe he’d surprise her.

She barely made it in and out of the Cuddle Hut before they closed. Worried her four-legged squatter hadn’t eaten in days, she picked up some cat food and returned to the bookstore. She let herself in and dragged the bags of feline paraphernalia to her office.

It was possible she’d gotten carried away, purchasing so much stuff. But her gut told her no one would be claiming her new friend. Whether he was her mother or not, he’d come to her, and she would take care of him.

She set up a litter box in the employee bathroom, washed the bowls, and opened a can of food. The cat came screeching in, sliding on all fours to scarf down the meal.

“You’re starving,” Faith said. “I knew it. You poor thing.”

He gobbled up the Fancy Feast and then surprised Faith by going straight to the litter box.

“If you know how to use that, you must have a family somewhere.” Sudden sadness hit. A few hours ago, the cat meant nothing to her. Now she didn’t want him to leave. “Sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

He sauntered out without a backward glance.

“You’re welcome,” Faith called after him, rolling her eyes. “Must be a teenager.”

Looking at all the stuff she’d purchased reminded her of Tess’s comment about her impulsivity. She supposed buying a bed, blanket, toys, and a collar for a cat that would probably begone tomorrow proved her point. Faith would keep that in mind before implementing any changes she planned for the store.

Thoughts of Tess led to thoughts of Nick. Woo boy, he’d only gotten more handsome in the last ten years. She’d had a tiny crush on him when they were teens. A three-year age gap was huge when she was sixteen, but now it was nothing. Not that she’d ever go for Nick Walker. He’d turned into an uptight stick in the mud. Not her type at all.

She drove home, did the dishes no one had touched, and went to bed.

CHAPTER SIX

Nick had only been able to tolerate another couple of days with his parents. He loved them, and they were just trying to be helpful, but the nonstop doting was killing him. He’d called Tess and begged her to come and rescue him. That had been a week ago.

In that week, he’d been walking as often as possible and even circled around the block a time or two. Physical therapy started soon, and he wanted to be ready.

Rain all day yesterday had trapped him inside. But today, the sun was shining, and he couldn’t wait to get out, determined to make it to town. He’d been practicing and gotten more adept at using the cane. He still loathed it but had to admit it helped immensely.

Tess’s place was closer to civilization than his folks’—another reason he wanted to stay with her. Two blocks to freedom. He arrived at the Rise and Grind and ordered a celebratory Americano. The girl at the counter—Hope, according to her name tag—took his money and told him it’d be ready in a minute.

“You need a name?” he asked.

“Nah,” she said. “I gotchu. What happened to your leg?”

“Don’t be rude,” Hope’s coworker hissed.

“It’s not rude,” Hope said. “I’m just wondering.”

“I got shot,” Nick said.

“Oh, you must be Tess’s brother. Does it hurt?”

He’d forgotten how it was here—everyone knew everyone, and secrets weren’t a thing.

“Sometimes.”

“Too bad,” she said. “Hope you get better soon.”

---