Page 35 of Don't Hurt Us
“Are you an electrician?”
“Nah, but I wish I was right about now.What happened?”
“I don’t even know.One of the ovens isn't working.Now things are sparking and I just caught an entire batch of cookies on fire.”
“Anything else?”He asks in a knowing tone.
“The school just called and Bree threw up.I need to see if Pecker can get her.If not, I guess I’ll have to leave here and come back later.I'm closing down the bakery for the rest of the day.The entire place smells like smoke and burnt food.”The first tear slips down my cheek and I sniffle.
“Don’t cry, babe.I'm here to help.”Keys jingle in the background.I hear a door shut and then an engine roar to life.“I'm going to get Bree now.You take your time at the bakery and I’ll take care of her.Does she have a key to your house?”
“No, only Danny has one.”
“Ok, then I’ll bring her to my house.”
“Are you sure you’re ok with watching her?I’m sure you have better things to do.”I close my eyes and massage my temples, trying to get my growing migraine to go away.
“I'm positive.”
“I guess we’re not getting our alone time today, huh?”
“I don’t think so.”He chuckles.“Handle the bakery.I’ll handle Bree… Since it’s almost two o’clock, do you want me to just bring Danny home with me too?”
“I don’t know.You’re already taking Bree and she’s sick.I could get him on my way home, I guess.”
“Sydney, would it make your life easier if I take Danny too?And are you ok with him missing an hour or so of school?”
“Yes, to both,” I whisper.
“Ok.Then I’ll see you at my house later.”
“Thank you, Maverick.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.You should stop at home and get your bathing suit.Maybe we can use the hot tub later tonight.”
It takes me only an hour or two to get everything cleaned up.Right before I was about to leave, a man walks in through the back door.
“Can I help you?”I frown at the man filling my doorway.
“My name’s Barry.My buddy, Maverick, called me and said you’re having an issue with your electric.He asked me to come take a look at it.”
I blink in surprise, unsure of how to respond.Not only is Maverick taking care of my children, but he also took the time to call in a favor and get someone here to work on the oven.
“Yeah, uhh, sorry.Maverick didn’t tell me you were coming.I had an electrician here earlier and I think he made it worse.We’ve had issues keeping power to this oven and when he ‘fixed’ the issue,” I use air quotes because he totally made it worse, “sparks started flying.I don’t know what’s wrong with it.”
“Ok.Let me take a look at it.”He drops his bag to the ground and grabs a flashlight.He takes about three minutes to diagnose everything.“It will take me a few hours to fix it.You look like you were on your way out.Do you want to leave and I’ll just call you when it’s finished?I don’t need you here to fix it.”
I nibble on my bottom lip, unsure of what to do.I hate the idea of leaving my bakery unattended, but I really want to go to Maverick’s house.
My phone vibrates in my hand and I quickly excuse myself to answer it without giving Barry any sort of response.
“Hello?”
“Come home, baby.Barry’s a friend of mine.He’ll fix it and have everything up and running for you before you go back in tomorrow,” Maverick’s soothing voice calms some of my nerves.
“Shouldn’t I stay here while he’s working?”
“Nah, he won't do anything to the bakery.We’ve been friends forever and he knows I’d kick his butt and start charging him at the bar if he screwed with your business.Just make him a little box of treats and he’ll be more than thankful.”
