Page 22 of A Package Deal
“Yes.”
“Then that one’s fine.” He frowned and pointed at the one she wore.
Nelie stepped toward him and brushed a sweet kiss on his lips. “You’re cute when you’re worried.” Chet had never worried when Heather had left for her medical volunteer trips to Costa Rica, and he knew she always spent several days at the beach before returning home.Although maybe I should have. Chet wondered if that’s where the cheating had started. Had they really been volunteer opportunities or an excuse to spend time with him? The samehimshe’d left for Australia with.
But Nelie wasn’t Heather, and he wasn’t worried. Worry was a hot knot in his stomach, not a clenched jaw and the need to pummel something. He rubbed his chest.I’m jealous.It was an unfamiliar, unwelcome feeling. He’d never been jealous. Ever. He hated the idea of strangers, strange men, rubbing lotion on her back. How would Nelie feel if the situation were reversed? Would she be okay with women touching him? Was he in too deep, too soon with Nelie?Too late now.He rubbed harder on his chest, needing to quiet his pounding heart.
“I’m not worried. I’m jealous. A week with you in Florida with all the warm sand and sunshine sounds about like heaven right now,” he said. He’d own being jealous, but he wouldn’t tell Nelie the real reason. He’d let her think it was because of the weather, not because he’d gone territorial, caveman on her.
“Maybe next year we can all go together. But this year, I’m having my Florida adventure. I can’t remember the last time I had a real vacation and I’ve never been to the beach or seen the Gulf of Mexico or even the ocean. Be excited for me, please?” Nelie bounced on her toes—just like Piper did—excitement radiating from her. He smiled. She was adorable—and sexy—when she was excited, and Chet felt like a heel. He couldn’t stomp on her happiness. It would be like kicking a puppy.
“I’m excited for you. And happy for you. I know how much you’re looking forward to it.”And if I stop acting like a jealous jerk, maybe she’ll show me her tan lines when she’s back.
Chapter 14
“Whatareyoudoing?”Eric asked, startling Nelie, who jerked and knocked her head on the freezer’s edge. She hated freezer diving. The old beast of a chest freezer sucked electricity, and it was where food went to die, if Nelie didn’t monitor it. The kitchen staff believed it was easier to start from scratch than to check the freezer first, no matter how many times Nelie reminded them.
She rubbed her head as stars danced behind her eyes. Eric grabbed her arm, muttering an apology. “They’re being discharged today and I’m sure they’ll be too tired to think about cooking. I’m sure we’ve got some soups in here that are near their expiration date for serving, but would be safe for home consumption. With some soups, bread, and appetizers, Emily and Jackson will be set for several days at least,” Nelie said.
Baby Nathan William Wyatt had arrived a week early, and the healthy baby boy and his mom were being discharged later that afternoon.Another baby.Nelie grinned.
Eric and Andi’s, Owen, was around two months old.
Parker and Rica had Charlotte—Parker’s daughter from a previous relationship—an energetic toddler, and Nelie knew they were trying for another. If the Posse knew what the Swans discussed at their semi-regular brunch, it would appall and embarrass the men.
Miller and Wren’s daughter, Robyn, was scooting around their house on her back end until she figured out therightway to crawl. They had their hands full with that one, and Robyn had Miller wrapped around her little finger, much like her mother did. Miller Lynch was a goner for the women in his life, but Nelie knew it was true for all the men in their circle.
And Josie and Gabe were expecting their little one in the summer.
No one had met baby Nathan yet. With the myriad of colds, flus, and chest viruses, the hospital had canceled visiting hours except in extreme instances. A new baby was joyous, not extreme, so everyone had stayed away.
“That’s a great idea. Should I check to see if we have any Chestnut Hill IPA near expiration?” Eric asked.
“Sure, and see if we have any of that non-alcoholic Riesling for Emily.” Eric made sure she didn’t want help with her freezer dive before walking toward the liquor room. Nelie found a few containers of soups—beef barley, chili, and chicken tortilla—and made a note to grab a bag of tortilla chips for it. There were also a few mystery containers with no labels or dates. She set them into the sink to defrost, nervous about what she’d find.
She found a sturdy box and was loading in the bread and chips when her phone dinged. It was the Posse’s and Swan’s combined group text, and it was usually only used for big events. The previous message was from December 31, Croix and Krista’s wedding day.
Jackson:Discharge is happening as planned. But Emily and Nate will be quarantined at home. I’ll be masking up and working from home as much as possible. No visitors. Only LOTS of prayers.
Parker:??
Nelie waited as bubbles filled her screen, wishing Jackson could type faster.
Jackson:Nate has SCID. He can’t fight infections. A cold could kill him. If we find a genetic match quickly, he’ll make a full recovery in about a year and lead a normal life. If you want to know more, google it.
Miller:And if you can’t?
Nelie swiped her cheek, hating that Miller had asked, but grateful he’d taken the bull by the horns. They couldn’t help if they didn’t know what they were dealing with.
Jackson:Nate probably won’t see his first birthday.
Croix:Where do we get tested?
Nelie watched thethumbs-upresponses pile on to Croix’s question.
Jackson:We start with immediate family and work out from there. Doctor said it is rare to find a non-family member.
Nelie hit the microphone icon so she could dictate. Her fingers were too shaky to type.
