When Harlow narrowed her eyes, I was pretty sure she might hit me. “I appreciate the way you tried to save us that day. You showed balls and I respect that. With that said, you better be taking this seriously, understand?”
Leaning closer, I stared right into those suspicious eyes. “No one makes me feel like Winnie. If she needs to take it slow, we’ll go slow. If she wants to rush into it, we’ll rush. If she needs me to stand on my fucking head and sing the National Anthem, I’ll do it. So yes, I’m taking this very seriously,” I said, running a hand where short dark stubble took the place of my mohawk. “I told Winnie I would wait and I meant it. What you think is me being passive is just patience.”
“Okay,” Harlow said softly. “You know when I came to Ellsberg, I was pretty messed up. My family was dead and I was in this new place with strangers. Winnie took care of me. She became my sister and best friend. I love her like she’s blood. Nothing personal, but if you hurt her, I’ll have to kill you.”
“Fair enough,” I said, grinning.
“Smile all you want, buddy, but I’ve got moves.”
Harlow faked a punch, but I didn’t flinch. My mind was already focused on tomorrow. I hadn’t talked to Winnie since the day Nick’s dad showed up. I hadn’t seen her close up in weeks. I needed to be close to her even if she couldn’t do more than hide behind her hair all night.
Chapter Three ~ Winnie
Lark Barnes wasn’t much older than me, yet she was married and pregnant with twins. On bed rest for the last few months, she was trapped in her updated Craftsman-style house. Thanks to Bailey, my new job involved caring for Lark during the day.
Petite with spiky dark hair, Lark needed the help too. She was all belly these days. In fact when I arrived at the house that morning, I found her stuck in bed.
“I’m beached!” she cried as I entered the bedroom.
After a little effort, I tugged her out of the bed and helped her into the bathroom. While she cleaned up, I started a load of laundry and let out her two English Bulldogs into the backyard.
“I vaguely remember having a waist,” Lark said, waddling into the room. “I could see my feet too. They weren’t great feet, but I liked looking at them.”
“You’ll see them soon then you won’t appreciate it. All the stuff that bothers you now will become a faint memory once you have the babies.”
“How do you know?” she said, teasing me. “You read that in a book? I get enough know-it-all crap from Raven who watched a TV show and is therefore an expert.”
I brought her a glass of low fat milk and English muffins with low fat cream. Lark frowned at the food then smiled up at me.
“If I sound bitchy, blame the hormones. You didn’t know me before I was preggers, but I was a saint.”
Grinning, I handed her the remote and placed a pillow under her feet.
“I had a baby a few years ago,” I said softly, maybe hoping she wouldn’t hear.
Lark’s green eyes studied me. Normally, I would feel judged, but not with her. Despite her hormones, Lark was incredible sweet.
“What happened?” she asked, taking my hand.
“A family from Bowling Green adopted him.”
A moment passed while Lark and I watched each other. She wanted details, but I didn’t want to give them. Being smart, Lark backed off.
“I’ll let the dogs back in,” I said when she remained silent.
Afterwards, I fed Professor and Pollock, folded laundry, changed the bedding, and headed to the store to pick up food. Returning an hour later, I expected to find Lark dozing. Instead, she was laughing with Harlow and Bailey.
“There’s Winn Dixie,” Bailey said. ”I like how you have everyone calling you Winnie now. My great ideas really take off.”
Ignoring her comment, I smiled. “Hey, I can’t believe you guys came here to help me with the groceries. You’re so generous.”
Bailey smiled. “I’m a very kind person. Ask anyone.”
After they helped me put away the groceries, I remained in the kitchen with Bailey. We put together a huge salad for Lark, complete with chicken, turkey sausage, cheese, raisins, and pickles. I used anything I could find on the approved list of foods.
“This is nasty,” Bailey whispered.
“She needs to eat a lot of calories, but only healthy stuff. This will fill her up until she enjoys her only happy meal with Aaron at dinner.”
“I’m never having kids,” Bailey muttered.
When I stared at her, she stared back. Bailey was clearly daring me to say what I was thinking. No way was I falling for that move.
Walking with the bowl into the living room, I found Lark frowning.
“Salads are puke inducing.”
Harlow nodded until I frowned at her then she smiled. “I like salads.”
“Nice save,” Bailey teased.
Once Lark caught sight of all the goodies in her salad, she grinned at me. “I love you, Winnie.”
“We all do,” Harlow said, standing up and tugging me towards the door. “I’m going to love her on the porch.”
Bailey wanted to come along, but Harlow put her hand up as if telling our dog to stay. Though growling like Spud, Bailey obeyed.