Page 53 of Jobe

They found Mackenna asleep on the couch. Touching her daughter’s forehead out of motherly habit, she was pleased to see that there was no fever.

Mackenna stirred, opening her eyes slowly. “Oh mom, I’m sorry. I meant to come straight to your place. Not come up here and fall asleep.”

“You shou see a doc-ta,” Penny said.

Jobe moved to sit next to Mackenna on the sofa, pulling her into his arms. “Absolutely,” he agreed, concern showing on his face.

Mackenna snuggled up close to him, pushing her long, thick hair out of her face. “She’ll probably tell me it’s stress or not enough sleep.” She looked into her mother’s worried face and realized that as much as she hated the idea of anything happening to her mom, Penny felt the same way about her. “I’ll go. I promise. I’ll go tomorrow.”

Placated, Penny kissed her daughter and patted Jobe’s shoulder as she walked out.

Yeah, it’s probably just stress,Mackenna thought.What else could it be?

* * *

Doug had driven her to the doctor’s office since Jobe was out on an installation job and eyed her carefully when she came out. She appeared pale and distracted when she left the building. Seeing her almost knocked over by others on the sidewalk, he jumped out of the SUV and moved to her side. She looked up at him, a slightly confused expression on her face.

“Mackenna?”

“Oh, yes, Doug. I’m sorry, I was…um…not thinking.”

He assisted her into the vehicle and turned to ask, “Where to?”

Mackenna’s thoughts were in a whirl, thinking of all she had to do.I’ve got a gang after me, trying to find a new home for the center, still helping mom, and a new relationship to work on. And now this?

“Home, if you don’t mind. I’d like to go home now.”

* * *

Jobe was inside one of the larger estates in a new subdivision in Richmond. The owners had hired Alvarez Security and he was working with Gabe and BJ to get the system correct. The installation was taking forever because the owner’s bored wife had been salivating over the three gorgeous men inside of her house all day.

Finally finished, they packed up and left to head back to the office. “Jesus, I feel like I’ve got to take a shower,” Gabe complained while the others laughed.

After a few minutes of companionable silence, Gabe said, “You know, before Jennifer came into my life, I would’ve thought of tapping that. Wouldn’t have done it because she’s a client, but I would’ve been thinking about it.”

BJ laughed, “Yeah, I hear you. And now?”

“Oh, hell no,” Gabe growled. “I see that and all I can think of is how glad I am that that part of my life is over.” He glanced at Jobe driving and said, “And now that shit’s over for all of us.”

Jobe grinned, admitting, “Thank fuck! I was running out of places to hide from that cougar. Now I get to go home to my own tiger.”

The men laughed as a call came in. Gabe answered it, saying, “Yeah, he’s right here. Okay, got it. I’ll tell him.”

Jobe looked over at Gabe, his eyebrow lifted in silent question.

“Doug just got back from taking Mackenna home. Said he escorted her to the doctor’s today and then she wanted to go home.”

Jobe glanced sharply at his friends, worry immediately creasing his brow. “Fuck, I knew she was going to the doctor’s today but I fuckin’ forgot to check on her afterward. Goddamnit!”

“What’s going on?” BJ asked from the back seat.

“She’s been tired, no energy. Kind of pale.” Jobe gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I know it’s fucked, but with her father having died from cancer and her mom having had a stroke, I can’t help but worry. It’s kind of like her family is a walking medical risk.”

“Head to your place. We’ll take the company van back and one of us will drop your truck off,” Gabe ordered.

“Thanks, man,” Jobe nodded.

In a few minutes, they pulled up to the front of his building. Hopping out, he glanced back at his two friends. Silent communication all that was needed. With a head jerk to both of them, he dashed through the doors.

---