Absentminded Angel(Divine Creek Ranch 20)(55)
She scoffed and said, “You’re calling them anyway, aren’t you?”
“Can’t deny that either. Just watch me in your rearview mirror and I’ll direct you. Rudy lost a good portion of his parking lot the last time they widened this street. I hate that everyone has to back out onto Crockett Street in order to leave.”
“But your lunch is getting cold.”
Hank gave her the steely-eyed stare but she could see the faintest hint of a twinkle in his gray eyes. “If it gets cold it’ll be because I’m outside arguing with a woman whose safety I care about. Don’t forget to buckle up.” Something about the way he spoke to her suddenly reminded her of one of the heroes in that book of Veronica’s she’d recently finished. A gray-eyed hero who was also a…Dom. Oh my gosh. TMI.
He gently closed her door after she got in, and she couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up as he walked out to the edge of the lot and then signaled with a wave for her to back straight out. She did as directed, not surprised when he stepped out onto Crockett Street and kept an eye in both directions for her and waved for her to continue backing out. When she put the vehicle in drive and turned the wheel, he smiled at her and waved. She glanced in the rearview mirror as she drove off. The man was already dialing a phone number as he walked back toward the restaurant.
Chapter Eleven
Ten minutes later, Presley Ann was sitting in Leah’s office, eating her fajita salad while Whit nursed, and chatting with her sister. She was just detailing her plans for the second half of her work day at home, sewing the first batch of slings, when a quick knock on the door drew their attention. She draped her shoulder in case anyone walked by in the corridor, got up to open the door, and smiled when she saw Jared, dressed in his fire department sweats.
“Hank called you, didn’t he? It was no big deal, I promise—”
Jared stroked her upper arms and looked into her eyes as if assessing her. “Yes, but that’s not the only reason I’m here. I’ve got bad news.”
Leah jumped up from her chair. “What’s the matter? What happened?”
Leah’s haunted tone instantly drew Presley Ann’s attention and she was shocked by how pale Leah had become. She hadn’t looked like that since Patterson—
Presley Ann went cold and grabbed hold of Jared’s biceps and demanded, “Where’s Kendry? Is he okay?” Whit whimpered before he continued nursing.
Leah plopped back down in her chair and Presley Ann remembered that this very office was where she’d learned of Patterson’s accident the spring before.
Jared looked confused and shook his head. “He’s fine. He’s on duty right now. Hank called a few minutes ago to let me know about the near-accident and I was on my way to check on you. Kendry just called me from your Uncle Marvin’s place.”
Leah sat up. “Uncle Marvin? Is he okay?”
Jared nodded and gestured for Presley Ann to sit back down. “He’s fine. It’s your apartment.”
No! What now? “What happened?”
Jared grimaced. “Busted pipe. Your uncle noticed water puddling under your door so he went upstairs to check, thinking maybe a faucet had been left on. It’s flooded. Kendry is over there right now, with a couple of guys, moving what they can out of your place.”
Leah groaned and said, “Oh no! Presley Ann, do you want to leave Whit with me?”
Presley Ann drew a deep breath, trying not to think of Whit’s crib, her sewing machine, all those yards of fabric, and the new work table…all soaked and ruined. Shaking her head, she focused on what was necessary for the moment, until she knew more. “No, because he’s due for a nap, and you don’t want a fussy baby in the store while you try to work on one of the busiest days of the year.”
“But Evelyn and I—”
Presley Ann shook her head. “I appreciate it, sis. This is a disaster but no one’s hurt.” She turned her gaze back to Jared. “I’ll meet you at the apartment,” she said. “From there, I’ll decide what to do.”
Jared nodded and then waved at Leah as he grabbed up Whit’s diaper bag and walked her out. “A plumber was on his way, so Kendry and Marvin should have a better idea of what needs to happen next by the time we get there.”
Once she arrived at the apartment, she saw several men carrying furniture, her furniture, out the back door.
She nodded at several of the firefighters as she opened Whit’s car door and made sympathetic sounds as she roused the sleeping baby from his after-lunch nap. She slipped him into his sling and prayed that he’d settle back down—a losing proposition given the chaos in what he normally considered a peaceful space.