Keith (Hathaway House #11) - Dale Mayer Page 0,36

care of most everything.”

“I know,” she said, “but I could get you a book or some magazines or whatever you want.”

“I think I’m okay,” he said. “I’ll think about it though. Maybe I’ll be ready for you next time.”

“Good enough,” she said.

After he hung up, he laid back down again and wondered if he wanted anything from town. He wondered why she was going and then realized it was probably all about Iain. He quickly sent her a text. Feel free to bring Iain back. I’d love to meet him.

A happy face emoji was the response he got. Then she texted him back. Someday.

He wasn’t sure why not today, but everybody seemed to have plans of their own. Unfortunately, even when he made plans, they didn’t always work out, as, by the time he recovered from his morning physio, lunch was over.

Chapter 10

Several days later Ilse was outside, talking to one of the delivery guys about the temperature of the milk he’d just delivered. It wasn’t as cold as it should have been. She happened to glance around and saw Keith walking across the parking lot, using his crutches. She stopped and stared, amazed to see him as mobile as he was, and she was drawn to the intent expression on his face.

“So, is that everything then?” the delivery driver asked impatiently.

She nodded. “For the moment.” She signed the bottom of the paperwork, handed it off, then turned and walked across to where Keith was heading. “Hey, it’s great to see you up and walking so fast,” she called out.

He looked back at her and smiled. “I just wanted a bit of fresh air, and, while I was out here, I just started to feel right,” he said, with a half shrug. “And, when so much of the world feels wrong, I decided to just follow my instincts and walk a bit.”

“You were moving really fast,” she said. “It’s really great to see.”

He smiled and nodded. “It feels really good too.”

She looked down at her watch and asked, “Did you get lunch?”

“Not yet,” he said. “I was waiting for the crowd to die down.”

“Right,” she said, glancing back at the crates that had been just unloaded and were now being moved inside.

“Delivery day?” he asked.

“It seems like every day is delivery day,” she said, “but today was dairy, yes.”

“Ah, the all-important milk,” he said.

“If you were drinking the milk, like you’re supposed to be for your bones,” she said, “you’d understand.”

“Most milk doesn’t get along with my stomach,” he said. “Sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter to me,” she said, “as long as you’re healthy and eating properly.”

“Well, I’m certainly eating,” he said. “The properly part I don’t know about. You guys sure put out a ton of food every day though.”

“We try,” she said. “Is there any particular dish that you’re missing?”

He looked at her in surprise. “Fish and chips,” he said instantly.

She stared at him and chuckled at his quick response. “Well, I’m glad I asked then,” she said. “That’s easy enough to do.”

“Is it? For this many people?”

“Well, we’ll do what we can, and, if we run out, plenty of other food is there,” she said comfortably.

He nodded. “So, when can we have it?” he asked, as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“Give me at least two days,” she said, laughing. “I have to check on my whitefish supply.”

“I would think you probably keep that stocked pretty heavily,” he said. “Seems like there’s fish or seafood of some kind most every day.”

“There is,” she said, “but I mix it up. And the best fish for fried fish isn’t the same kind I use for steamed or baked.”

“You’re the chef,” he said. “I have no idea.”

Just then he took a step, and it must have twisted his back wrong. He froze and gasped at the pain, which bleached the color from his face. She wanted to reach out and help him but instinctively knew that would be the wrong reaction. “Just take a few minutes to breathe,” she said, her tone calm and controlled. “Everything will be better in a minute.”

He groaned. “Who told you that lie?”

She chuckled. “Sometimes we just move too quickly in the wrong direction, and then we pay for it.”

“Which is exactly what I just did,” he said. Using his crutches, he moved over a few steps closer to the building. “I’ll just sit here for a minute.” He put the crutches to the side and slowly lowered himself to the top of the waist-high stone wall.

She