Page 41 of Class Act

“Well, it smells good, so I’m not going to argue too much.”

“I made soup that we can reheat tomorrow and cookies for tonight. I know it’s pretty late, so we can skip it and get you settled in bed if you want.”

Ruby had already slipped into my room to turn down the covers and lay out pajamas. “She needs to rest,” she stated in a truly firm, non-Ruby way. She was fully in nurse mode, and both Lizzie and I were quick to give her control. “Let’s get you settled and then Lizzie and I can figure out our own sleeping arrangements.”

I had no energy or desire to argue, so I followed Ruby into my room where she helped me change into pajamas. I washed my face and brushed my teeth while she leaned against the bathroom doorway, and then she tucked me in like a child. I kind of loved it. As a person who had always been fairly self-sufficient, it felt a little bit decadent to allow others to care for me.

“I’ll be in the next room if you need me. Any nausea or dizziness, come tell me. If you feel confused, come find me.”

“If I’m confused, how will I know to find you?” I teased.

She stuck out her tongue. “Worst patient ever.”

“I’m not confused at all, Rubes. I love you. Good night.”

She ran a light, comforting hand over my forehead, the same spot Ford had kissed, and said. “Love you back.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

The next morning, I awoke achy and sore and made my way out to the kitchen and living area. Lizzie and Ruby were sitting at my small table talking softly, and they looked up with a matching set of smiles as I came into the room feeling rough.

“Can I ask you a question?” Lizzie asked me.

“Sure.”

“Do you actually live here, or do you keep it as a facade and live somewhere else?”

I rolled my eyes and laughed, knowing where she was going with this. “I live here.”

She pulled a face. “Do you only sleep here but never use your main living area?”

“Lizzie, I’m tidy. You know this.”

“Yes, but I liked to think that maybe you always tidied up when we were coming over. Now I’m thinking this might be every day around here. I’m worried about people who keep their books at such tight ninety-degree angles on the coffee table or who fold their throw blankets or whose couch pillows are actually on the couch.”

“Just like I worry about people who leave their things flung everywhere,” I teased.

“I’m working on it,” she giggled. “In fact, when Jackson and I were registering for wedding gifts, I told him not to bother with pillows and throws because they’ll just be on the floor all the time.”

“How did you sleep?” Ruby asked, standing and stretching her arms high above her head. “Any issues? How’s your pain level?”

I gave her a rundown of my aches and pains, and she went to the cabinet to get me some more pain pills while Lizzie served me up pancakes that she’d kept warming in the oven.

“You two are my favorite,” I said, stifling a yawn.

They exchanged a look and seemed to play some kind of rock, paper, scissors game before Ruby looked to me. “We tried to go get your car this morning, but it was gone.”

“What do you mean gone?” I asked, suddenly very alert.

“Gone. As in not parked at the ice rink anymore,” Lizzie said, setting the plate of fluffy yumminess in front of me.

I looked down at the syrup-soaked pancakes as though they’d have the answers. “But that doesn’t make sense. I left it there.”

“Any chance it could have been towed?” Ruby asked.

I shrugged. “Maybe. I guess I’ll call the ice rink and ask them.”

“Sorry,” Lizzie said softly. “We feel really bad springing that news on you first thing.”

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