I dump the rest of the contents into the crockpot, and choose the Low Heat setting, which should have it ready by seven.That’s good enough.I push my hair out of my face, and then place the glass lid on the ceramic pot with athunk.
Bullet barks in response, jarring me.
Which has totally become a norm now.
“You should be out hunting rabbits or something.” I purse my lips, shaking my head at him as I wipe my hands on a towel. I toss it back down to the old Formica counters, and slip into the living room, where my mother sits on the couch, a perpetual look of disgust etched into her features.
“Did you hear me?” She looks up from the book on her lap.
“Yeah, sorry.” I go for the front door, opening it for Bullet to slip out, and then turn back to her. “I didn’t see anyone I know.”
“Where’d you go?”
“I got a coffee and went to the Grab n’ Go.”
Her brows skyrocket. “And you didn’t see someone you know?”
“Nope.” I shrug, though it’s followed by a shiver as a pair of ghost eyes flash in my mind. “I guess I got lucky.”
She looks at me for a long moment, and then nods toward the hallway. “I need to take a shower or something.”
My heart instantly sinks. “I have no idea how we’re supposed to do that.” I nod to the cast on her arm and boot. “Why not just a sponge bath? It’s not like you can do anything to get you sweaty.”
“That’s disgusting, Ruth.” The use of my full first name has me wincing. “This boot comes off. That’s enough for me to sit in the bathtub. You’re here to help me, remember?”
“Yes ma’am,” I say the words softly, rubbing my hands over my biceps. “I’m just not sure I’m strong enough…”
She seems to glare at me. “With all that meat on your bones, you should be fine. I mean, trust me, I would’ve much rather your sister have come, but she was busy—and you’re the one who’s the most available.”
I grit my teeth. “Right.”
“Uh huh, and I’d just really hate for?—”
“Let’s go,” I cut her off, my stomach nauseous enough already. I adjust the wheelchair, and quickly help her into it. I grip the handles of the chair, right as my phone starts buzzing obnoxiously in my pocket.
Ugh.
“You should check that.”
I jerk the wheelchair to a stop and clench my jaw as I fish my phone from my front pocket. I frown as I see my cousin’s name lighting up the screen.
Ugh. Why is she calling me?I almost ignore it, but…
Anything to delay the bath.
“Hey Macey.” I force my voice to sound way brighter than I actually feel in the moment. “What’s up?”
“I heard from Lindsey you were back in town.”
Who the hell is Lindsey?
I cringe but play it cool. “Yeah, I am. I’m helping out with Mom,” I say, stepping back from the wheelchair. My eyes flick to the window, where I see Bullet streak across the yard, bounding up and out of the overgrown grass. He lets out a loud, choppy bark, and I watch him run, missing half of whatever my cousin says.
“So you want to go?”
“Um, where again?” I shake my head, letting out a sigh as I turn back from the window.
“It’s the Groundhog Festival. They have it around the lake. There’s a parade and a cool maze through the woods,” she probably repeats, laughing. “I figure you’d want to get out of the house some, and I know Mara would love to see you. She always asks me about her fancy cousin living out in California.”
