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“Sounds like a plan! I’ll tell James and Suzie. It sounds like you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
After thanking her friend, Paula hung up and called Captain Morris.
“Paula, what’s happened to you? Are you ill? Why didn’t you answer your phone?” Blast, she hadn’t checked her messages or voicemails.
“I-I’m sorry, Sir. Something came up. It— It’s personal. I need to take some time off.” She felt stupid.
“Well, it’s not that you don’t have the time available.” He cleared his throat, and she envisioned him running his hand through his hair. “What’s wrong? It’s not like you not to show up for work. When I heard how you left without saying anything to anyone then didn’t call in this morning, I didn’t know what to think.”
How much should she tell him? She didn’t have the time or the patience to go into detail about her relationship with Jackson. “I’m going to help a friend with some health problems. I’ll be staying at their place.”
“Give me the address, just in case. I’d hate to have to put a BOLO out on you if you don’t answer your phone again.”
She relaxed at Captain Morris’ joke and gave him Jackson’s address.
“Keep me apprised of the situation,” he admonished before they ended the call. Once she got off the phone with the captain, she called HR to get started on the paperwork.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Paula went to her bedroom and found a few clean shirts and underwear she could have at the hospital so she wouldn’t need to come home often. Instead of eating by herself, she would pick up dinner for both of them on her way back. She wasn’t sure what he was allowed to have, so she would get him something light.
On her way to the restaurant, she remembered she needed to get Jackson’s stuff. She’d better make that stop first. She crossed two lanes to get to her right turn, ignoring the raised middle finger from the young man in a Cadillac. When she entered the condo, she felt like a burglar without Jackson present. She went straight to the master bathroom, hoping the feeling would go away. She found his razor, shaving cream, comb, and toothbrush easily enough, but had to hunt around for the case. His skills at organizing saved her when she thought of checking the bathroom cupboard. She also grabbed his sweats so he would have clothes to wear when he came home.
She returned to his hospital room, only to find Jackson gone for his pre-surgery CT scan. She put away their things and asked Molly for sheets and a blanket for the fold-out bed. She would have everything ready when Jackson got back. He wouldn’t win any argument over her staying.
He returned about half an hour later looking like he’d taken on a gang of six perps single-handed. He brightened when he saw her smiling face. “What is that heavenly smell?”
“Chicken soup from Panera. I have a strawberry poppyseed salad with chicken. I thought you might like it better than hospital food.”
She helped him sit up higher in the bed so he could eat. He started to eat the soup but found it difficult to manage, and Paula ended up feeding him most of it. He looked tired again after eating.
A new nurse came in to introduce herself. “I’m Janice. I’ve got the night shift. We’ll have your meds shortly. Is there anything you need? I see you’ve had a better dinner than we could provide. That’s the last you can eat or drink until after surgery tomorrow.”
Jackson asked, “Do you know of anywhere we could find a deck of cards? I’m not sleepy yet, and I’m really not in the mood for TV.”
“The hospital gift shop might have some, but you’ll have to hurry. They’re only open until seven.”
When Paula returned with the cards they decided to play draw poker. Jackson shot her a mischievous smile. “Pity we can’t play strip poker here.”
Paula said, “With your clothes rule, I’d be at a serious disadvantage, so I don’t think that’s a good choice for us.”
“What are we going to use for chips?” Jackson asked.
“Let me see. I think I have a bunch of change in my bag.” She returned with a coin purse bulging with pennies. “These will do.”
Jackson chuckled and waggled his eyebrows. “Deal!”
They played four hands, with Jackson winning each.
Paula studied the last cards and narrowed her eyes at Jackson. “Where did that ace of spades go?”
“Are you counting cards?” He widened his eyes, trying to look innocent.
“Are you cheating?” she countered.
“Me, cheat?”
“Because you don’t like to lose?”
