was akin to announcing, “Hey, Mom, I just had sex!” This was why she needed her own place. Would you grab my phone? It’s—
At home on the counter. She’d stuck it in the charger while she showered and changed clothes prior to the date and had forgotten to grab it on her way out. I forgot my phone!
Use mine. He crawled into bed and handed her the device.
Her spending the night with a man would test her mother’s adjustment. Upon arrival in the morning, if her mother was in a snit, then she’d know. Hi, Mom, this is Cassie, she identified herself since the text would be coming from an unfamiliar number. I’m spending the night at Psy’s. I’ll be home in the morning before I go to work.
She handed him the phone. Now, where were we? She scooted close and lifted her face for a kiss.
Chapter Twelve
Four days later
A brass band pounded away inside her skull, causing every muscle to throb with the painful beat. Groaning, she dragged herself out of bed. If not for Verna depending on her, she would have called in sick, but her boss had a buying excursion planned and needed her to man the store. There was no one else. She was the “else.”
A quick shower failed to perk her up, and afterward she collapsed on a bedroom chair. Putting on her shoes drained more energy than she had. Finally, she managed to get dressed and shuffle to the kitchen where her mother bustled about.
“Good morn—are you all right?” Rosalie’s deep-violet eyes narrowed with concern.
Tired, she scribbled.
“Late night, huh?”
Not so late. She’d gotten home at ten, a little earlier than usual, because she’d started to feel unwell. She’d cooked for Psy at the farmhouse but then had him bring her home.
Rosalie pressed a hand to Cassie’s forehead. “You feel warm. Are you getting a fever?”
Maybe. She penned the shortest possible answer. She felt hot. No doubt she was coming down with something.
“Go to bed. Verna can manage without you.”
Can’t. Verna won’t be in until late. Have to man the store. She sank into a chair at the dinette.
“The store can open when she gets in. It’s not like anybody needs the junk she sells.”
Cassie let the dig slide, in no condition to argue. If I don’t feel better, I’ll come home early.
“You seeing Psy again tonight?” Rosalie asked in a neutral tone.
She saw Psy every night. They’d become inseparable. She’d expected resistance, but so far, Rosalie had accepted her absence, a positive sign for which Cassie was exceedingly grateful.
Not if I don’t feel better.
“That’s a wise decision. I know you really like him, but you need to take care of yourself. I have a few minutes before I need to leave. Would you like me to make you some breakfast?”
Ugh. Nothing sounded worse. Cassie shook her head. The movement drove spikes of pain into her skull.
“Coffee?”
She gave a slight nod, trying to move as little as possible.
Her mother poured her a cup, adding a generous squirt of cream and sugar.
It hurt to swallow, and the coffee tasted sour. Cassie made a face.
“I fixed it the way you like it.” Her mother sounded offended.
Coffee is fine. She’d had the strange sour taste in her mouth since she’d awakened. Even brushing her teeth hadn’t helped.
Like a mother hen, Rosalie bustled around, offering her food, more coffee, advice. Just when Cassie thought she would scream, her mother checked the time and rushed out. Leaving her cup on the kitchen table, Cassie stumbled into the living room to rest for a few minutes before beginning the trek. The store was only three blocks away, but the short distance could have been five hundred miles. In hindsight, she realized she should have asked her mother for a lift. She could have relaxed on one of the antique chaise lounges at the store.
She stretched out on the sofa. She’d close her eyes just for a minute…
A chirping text woke her up.
She pulled her aching body to a seated position and grabbed the phone. Oh no! She’d slept almost ninety minutes, and she was an hour late for work! Verna would be chomping at the bit.
Sure enough, the text was from her. Did something happen? Where are you?
I’m so sorry. I’m not feeling well, and I fell asleep. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.
What’s wrong?
Tired. Achy. Sore throat.
Stay home.
I’ll be OK. You have to go to the auction.
I can skip this one.
I hate leaving you in the lurch.
You’re more important than