Page 52 of Keeping Collette

“Hey Deal, how’s she doing?”

He looked up to find Astrid standing beside him holding a basket, which had his stomach grumbling from the delicious aromas emanating from it.

“Good, and she’s going to be extra happy to see you, especially as you’re bearing gifts.” He canted his head toward what she held. “I’m hoping there’s something in there for me as well.”

Astrid laughed. “Of course, you didn’t think I’d be so mean as not to feed you too? Callum’s told me how you haven’t left her side, and I know from my stay in the hospital with the twins that, while they try their best, hospital food isn’t very good.”

Deal couldn’t argue with her. With hospital food, while not as bad as MRE’s, there wasn’t much variety or taste to it. “It’s edible, and I’ve had worse.”

“I’m sure you have,” she murmured and pressed her lips together, as if she wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure she should.

He stayed quiet, giving her the space to think about if she was going to say it or keep it to herself.

Astrid wasn’t backward in coming forward, though, so her reluctance surprised him.

“Whatever it is you’re thinking, just say it,” he said, giving her an opening should she want to take it.

A sigh escaped her. “Collette’s my friend, and I care about her a lot. I’m glad you’re here with her. And how you’ve been with her through this whole ordeal with Courtney.”

A “but” hung in the air.

“But?”

She smiled ruefully. “I don’t want to see her get hurt. You guys didn’t exactly get on that first day you met. She hasn’t said much about what’s going on between the two of you, but given how similar you are to my husband, and everyone else you work with, I’m guessing that if you didn’t want to be here, you wouldn’t be.”

Deal loved the fact that Collette had someone looking out for her. She didn’t have a lot of people in her corner, but she did now. And he was front and center of it all. “You’re right. Our first meeting was a bit tense, but that was me being a jerk. I care about her. I would never do anything to hurt her.” The very idea of harming Collette had the rubbery scrambled eggs he’d had for breakfast congeal even more in his belly.

Astrid patted his arm. “I believe you. As I said, I’m glad she has you. It would’ve been awfully lonely for her if you weren’t here. Now I’m going to go in, and I promise to save you something. Where were you headed?”

“Just outside to get some fresh air and stretch my legs.”

She studied him for a moment. “When was the last time you went home?”

“The day before yesterday.”

“Why don’t you go now. I’ll stay with Collette.”

The idea appealed, but he didn’t want to leave Collette for too long. She’d still been suffering from the lingering effects of her surgery when he’d gone home previously, so she hadn’t missed him.

He couldn’t deny, though, a shower and a change of clothes was tempting, and there was no way Astrid would leave if she said she’d stay.

“Okay, I’ll do that, but where are the boys?”

“I finally convinced Callum that they could spend one day in childcare. They started a week ago and loved it. They were so excited to head there this morning. I think Callum was a little sad they were so eager for him to take them.” Astrid chuckled. “It will do them good to meet new kids and socialize for when they’ll go to school.”

It didn’t surprise him one bit that Growler seemed miffed about his boys’ happiness to go to childcare. He loved his sons, and would do anything for them.

Would he do that when he had kids?

The thought bought him up short. In the past, he’d never given having children a thought, but he glanced at the closed door and thought about the woman lying in the bed behind it. He could picture a future with Collette, and that future also included kids.

Deal slammed the door shut on where his mind was going. It was way too much, too soon. Even if a cold shudder traversed him when he relived the moment the car rammed into Collette.

“Deal? You okay?”

He gave his head a shake. “Yeah I’m fine. Tell Collette I won’t be long. And thanks, Astrid.”

She patted his arm. “All good. And I’m happy to do it. Take your time. Collette and I always have a lot to talk about.”