Page 36 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“Come on, son.” Sam laughed and patted Harley on the shoulder. “I’m just messing with you. I think that’s a great idea.”
“You do?” Harley glanced at him, surprised. “Then you should also know that Daniella is finding two or three nurses to look after you and Betty.”
“Why?” Sam’s brows furrowed. “I may have an injured back, but I’m not useless.”
“Yes, but you’re not even allowed to do any cooking for the next few days,” Harley told him. “What about if you fall in the shower?”He pulled into the driveway of their home. “I installed handrails in Betty’s and the guest bathroom yesterday in all the necessary places.”
“Did you put emergency bells in there, too?” Sam said sarcastically. “All you need to do is install a reception area, and you can rename the place Beach Plum Retirement Home.”
“I give up.” Harley slid out of the driver’s seat of his pickup. “If you’re so capable. Then get out of the pickup on your own.”
He slammed his car door shut and stood back with his arms folded to watch his stubborn uncle try to get out of the pickup without help, especially with that back brace that restricted Sam’s movements.
Sam jerked forward as he attempted to slide to the edge of the seat before popping the passenger open. “Dang, nab it.” He hissed. “This darn shell, they’ve got me strapped to—“
Harley ambled around to the passenger side and looked at his uncle. “Need a hand?”
Sam glared at him. “No, I’m fine flopping around like a turtle on his back.”
“Okay then.” Harley shrugged, hiding a smile as he turned to walk off.
“Fine!” Sam called. “You win. Maybe we do need a nurse.”
Harley grinned but straightened his face as he turned back to his uncle.
“Come on, old man, let me help you.” Harley gave Sam a smug smile as his uncle muttered something that would blister a young person’s ears.
“And be careful who you call old.” Sam let Harley help him into the house. “I hope Daniella will get a male and female nurse.”
“She said she would,” Harley assured Sam. “You forget she’s looked after you a few times.”
“I’m fortunate to have such caring nieces, nephews, and grandbabies.” Sam sat in a chair.
“I don’t think Reef and Emily qualify as babies anymore, Uncle Sam,” Harley pointed out. “They’re teenagers now. Reef is a young adult. He’ll be eighteen soon.”
“You all grew up way too fast!” Sam sighed, his eyes taking on a look of nostalgia.
Harley made his uncle some tea before getting him to pack while he told Jennifer that Sam was happy with her idea. His heart did a double beat as he thought about Jennifer.
“You have to get yourself under control,” Harley gave his emotions a stern talking to. “Just because Jennifer and I have had a few moments of peace and bonded a little doesn’t mean anything.”
“What’s that?” Uncle Sam made him jump as he turned to him, standing in the kitchen doorway.
“Nothing,” Harley said and moved the conversation away from Jennifer. “I’ve made you some tea. Are you hungry?”
“No.” Sitting at the kitchen counter, Sam shook his head when Harley gave him his tea. “But I’ve been dying for a decent brew.” He spooned sugar into the cup.
“I’m going to call Jennifer and let her know you’ve accepted her kind offer,” Harley told him.
“Are you and Jennifer finally friends?” Sam took a sip of the tea.
“Let’s just say we’ve called a temporary truce due to all that’s happened in the past few days,” Harley said.
“You mean Betty’s fall?” Sam asked.
“That and Andrew Gains turning up the following day.” Harley saw his uncle’s eyes widen in disbelief.
“Andrew Gains is back?” Sam’s eyes flashed with concern.
