The Chase

The annoyance in her expression melted into sadness. “Okay, I’ll try a cup of soup.”

He and Seth shared a knowing glance. Every step with her today was a battle, but Beck knew they couldn’t let up.

“Let’s try half a turkey sandwich with that,” Seth insisted.

“Don’t… It’s a waste of money.”

“The money isn’t important. You are.” To end the argument, Beck purposely changed the subject. “The salon really did a great job on your hair. You look stunning.”

She absently brushed her fingers over the big, loose curls, a smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you for…well, for everything. Weirdly, I feel lighter.”

Beck took that as a good sign. “You’re welcome.”

“See, good things happen when you let us take care of you,” Seth added.

After the waitress returned with their drinks, she jotted down their dinner selections and rushed off again. Their conversation came in fits and starts, mostly he and Seth trying to keep it flowing with Heavenly chiming in between sips of water as she stared out the window.

When dinner arrived, she swirled the spoon in her soup and picked at the turkey spilling from between the slices of bread.

He glanced at Seth and saw his concern reflected there. Time to play bad cop.

In one fluid motion, the big PI plucked Heavenly onto his lap, lifted the spoon from her soup, and raised it to her lips. “You’re eating now. Open, angel.”

She recoiled with a frown. “You’re not feeding me like a child.”

Beck slid in beside her. “Yes, we are.”

“I’ll eat when I’m hungry.”

“You must be starved. It’s been days,” Seth bit out.

“Either you eat your dinner or I’ll take you home, tie you to the bed, and hook you up to a feeding tube,” Beck warned.

She narrowed her eyes. “You wouldn’t.”

“Wanna bet?”

Heavenly huffed, then leaned forward, opened her mouth, and wrapped her lips around the spoon. “There. Happy?”

“We will be after you clean your plate.” Beck nudged her food closer.

“Oh, all right.” She sighed.

They took turns feeding her while devouring their own dinners. It wasn’t long before her attitude dissipated and hunger took over. Soon Heavenly’s plate was empty. Color filled her face again, and the dark circles beneath her eyes had almost vanished.

“Good girl.” Beck chanced a soft kiss to her cheek.

She stiffened, and he knew he’d pushed too far.

Damn, this chasm between them chafed. She still wasn’t ready to hear about Gloria, and this wasn’t the place. But soon. He refused to leave this hanging over their heads much longer.

“Can you let me out? I need to use the ladies’ room.”

Beck suspected Heavenly was simply looking for a plausible reason to put distance between them, but he stood dutifully, watching as she climbed off Seth’s lap and trekked to the bathroom a few feet away.

Beside him, Seth shook his head. “You might actually need to tie her up to fix things between you two.”

“If she still won’t listen after the funeral, I’m getting the fucking rope.”