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Chapter 26
Two weeks after they’d arrived in Madison, Laila rolled over in bed, then shifted so she was sitting up. She’d given Jase her bed, which was far more comfortable, and she’d moved into the second bedroom. It had a double bed, a dresser and a desk that held her laptop.
She listened but didn’t hear any sounds in the apartment. So Jase was still sleeping.
He’d been sleeping a lot. And he’d been quiet. Withdrawn. Hadn’t given her any crap lately, and she was worried. All signs of depression, and why wouldn’t he be depressed? His whole life had been upended. He wouldn’t be able to do the job he loved, even after he healed completely. He had nothing to look forward to. No purpose.
Sliding out of bed, she hurried into the bathroom to take a shower. After today, she hoped, some of that would change.
After dressing, she walked into the kitchen and started the coffee, hoping the aroma would get Jase out of bed. By the time she’d poured the second ladle of pancake batter onto the griddle, she heard him stirring in the bedroom.
When she felt him walk into the kitchen, she said, “Coffee’s ready. And the pancakes and bacon will be ready soon, too.”
He poured himself a cup of coffee and slid into a chair at the kitchen table. “You’re cooking for me? What’s that about?”
She’d made him fix his own breakfast and lunch, and either cooked dinner for them or picked up carry-out. “I had a taste for pancakes. I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy mine a lot more than I would yours.”
“Yeah, I have no idea how to make pancakes.” His voice sounded rough. Hoarse, as if he seldom spoke. He’d been a man of few words since they got back to Madison.
“Then you should be happy that I’m feeling generous today.” She slid three pancakes onto a plate and added three strips of bacon, then set it on the table. She’d already set the small table, and put the syrup beside his place.
They ate mostly in silence. She asked him some questions and got one or two word answers. Reminding herself not to lose her temper, she finished her meal, waited for Jase to finish his, then cleared the plates and silverware. Sliding everything into her dishwasher, she leaned against the counter and studied him.
“I’m going to put together a picnic, and we’re getting out of the city.”
He shrugged, as if he didn’t care what he did. “Okay. Where’re we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” she said.
He frowned as he stared at her. “A surprise?”
“Yeah,” she said lightly. “You know, that thing that happens when you have no idea what’s coming.”
He stared at her for a long moment, then sighed. “What should I wear?”
“Your usual. Jeans and a tee shirt.” She swept her arm down her body. “Like me. In fact, you could wear shorts if you want. It’s really warm for spring.”
“Okay.” He shoved away from the table and stood up. Made his way to his bedroom and closed the door.
A few minutes later he emerged, dressed in worn jeans and a black tee. “I’m ready.”
As he settled into the car, Laila watched to make sure he didn’t slip. Once he was seated, she slid into the driver’s seat. Backed into the street and headed for the outskirts of Madison.
Forty-five minutes later, Jase looked around as they entered the small town of Williams. “What’s so exciting about this one-horse-town?”
“We’re not going to Williams. We’re just passing through,” she said.
He stared at her, and she was pretty sure he was going to say something. Instead, he turned his head and stared out the window.
They turned onto a smaller country road and left Williams behind. Ten minutes later, she slowed and turned to pull into a gravel driveway. Trees lined the gravel, and as they turned a corner, a big white farmhouse appeared on their left. In front of them stood a barn, with an empty pig sty and an empty chicken coop beside it. Behind the barn, a pasture spread out.
“What are we doing here?” Jase asked. “You know the people who live here?”
“No one’s living here,” she said as she stopped the car and turned off the engine. “Come and look around with me.”
He slid out of the car, moving a little slowly. His leg got stiff on car rides, but he shook it off and was soon walking with only a slight limp.
Sliding out of the driver’s seat, she closed her door and hurried to Jase. Slid her arm through his to help him over the bumpy ground and nodded toward the pasture. “Let’s look at that first.”
