“You need to eat. Mom says it’s the most important meal of the day.” He took a big bite.
“Oh, it is, is it? Well, I guess I should, then.” Reid made himself a sandwich and joined the boy at the table.
Quinn emerged from the bedroom a few minutes later.
“Momma—”
“Quinn—” They spoke in unison.
“Mr. Reid made me a peanut butter sandwich.” JJ smiled before picking up his breakfast and taking a bite.
“You didn’t have to do that.” She pulled out a chair and sat. Reid was on her right and JJ on her left. “You could have woken me up. I would have done it.”
“It was no problem. I was already awake.” He smiled. “You needed the rest.” Reid stood and threw his plate in the trash can.
Quinn looked at her son. “JJ, did you say ‘Thank you’?”
His mouth was full, so he only nodded.
“He did.” Reid started preparing a sandwich for her.
“He made it just like you do.” JJ squirmed in his seat as he reached for his bottle of water.
“Is that so?” Quinn tilted her head and studied her son.
“No crusts and cut into two triangles.” Reid set the plate in front of her and grabbed a bottle of water for her before taking his seat again.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It’s not the best breakfast, but since the accident and subsequent ER visit, I thought it would be best to chuck the cold food.”
“I agree.” She took a bite.
She was seated so the bruise that had formed on her temple was right in his line of vision. Purple and blue marred her beautiful face. Reid reached toward her and tucked her hair behind her ear. “You’ve got a nasty bruise.” His fingers trailed down her cheek to her chin. He gently tilted her head away from him, inspecting her battle wounds. “Let’s get you some ice.” He stood again, disgusted with himself for letting her get the bruise.
“Here you go.” He placed the makeshift ice pack in front of her. He’d used one of the plastic grocery sacks.
She picked it up and placed it to her temple. “What time did you give me a pain pill?”
“It was almost five.”
“I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“You didn’t. I was already awake.” She’d been through enough. She didn’t need to worry about him. Even if her concern for him made his chest feel light.
She placed her hand on his forearm. “After everything that happened last night, I didn’t even ask if you were okay. Were you in pain?”
“It’s understandable.” He patted her hand. “You’d had a rough day. And no, I wasn’t in pain. Sleep eludes me more often than not.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“I’m fine.” He cleared his throat and looked away.
“Mom, can I go outside and explore? Mr. Reid said we were in a cabin surrounded by woods.” JJ’s eager eyes pleaded.
“Not right now.”
He sat back in his chair and sulked.
