Timber Creek (Sierra Falls 2)

She spoke before her boss had a chance to lay into her. “Sorry about Ellie. I can’t leave her alone. ”

But Laura surprised her with a vehement and instant reply. “Of course you can’t. ” The significant nod that followed was a knife in the gut—her sympathetic expression said it’d be a given that she couldn’t leave Rob at home with the girl. And then Laura shocked her even more when she said, “That’s why you should go home. Hope’s in the kitchen doing lunch prep. We’re all set to cover your shift. ”

“I…oh…thank you. ” She fantasized about it for a second, then tied on her apron, knotting it with a sharp tug. “But I can’t. Emergency clinics aren’t exactly cheap. ”

“I’m sorry. Believe me, I remember how it was with Dad. ” Laura frowned and reached out to her, putting a hand on her arm. “You let us know if there’s anything we can do. ”

Helen made herself not flinch away from the unexpected contact. The woman’s sympathy seemed genuine, and it wasn’t what she would’ve expected.

She gave her a sad smile. “You could rob a bank for me. ”

“I’m afraid this won’t be the first of your bills, either. Make sure they itemize it all for you. They’ll get you for every Band-Aid and cotton swab. I’d be happy to help you review it all as it comes in. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten good at parsing medical invoices. ”

The offer floored her, and Helen was thanking her when Edith bustled in. “Where’s our little patient?” Mrs. Bailey went straight to the booth, wrapping an arm around the girl, tucking her close and stroking her hair. “Ellie Lynn Haskell, I am taking you up to the house right now. You’re going to spend the day with me. I’ll even let you sit in Bear’s chair. ”

Laura smiled. “Just like Goldilocks. ”

Ellie went wide-eyed. “Can I?”

Edith looked to Helen. “Please say I can take her. ”

She felt something unclench in her chest. “Really? You sure you don’t mind?”

“Are you kidding? It’ll be nice to have a little one underfoot again. ” Edith plucked Ellie’s glass from the table and bustled behind the bar. “How about a refill? Do you want to try Sprite? That was always my girls’ favorite. ”

Laura laughed. “Mom’s a big believer in the clear fluids. Hopefully you won’t mind your daughter drinking a gallon of soda today. ”

“No, I appreciate it,” she said, meaning every word. “I wanted to thank you again for driving her home last night. And also…” She gave Laura a probing look. “Thank Eddie for me. ”

The girl blushed, and it was a sight Helen never thought she’d see. “The cat’s out of the bag, huh?”

So, her and Eddie…would wonders never cease? But the Bailey girl seemed to live a charmed life, so in some ways it was no surprise. She told her genuinely, “He’s a good one, Laura. ”

“I’m getting that. ” She got a faraway look on her face. “He really dealt last night, didn’t he?”

What she wouldn’t give for a man who dealt. A man who could be a source of comfort and strength instead of trouble. “You’re lucky. ”

Laura opened her mouth to speak, but she just stood there for a moment, at a loss for words. Their eyes met for a strange, prolonged moment. So, they really were a couple now, though it appeared maybe Laura was still getting used to the idea. Helen had to wonder if she truly understood what a good man she’d found.

The bell jingled as a different Jessup walked in.

Laura brightened, appearing a bit relieved that their moment of bonding was over. “Hey, Scott. ” He was in his ranger uniform, so he was clearly on duty. “Grabbing an early lunch?”

He went straight to Ellie. “Nah, just came to check on this girl here. ” He fished in his pocket and brought out a pack of cards. “I brought a little get-well present. ”

Helen felt herself choke up. It stunned her how the town was rallying around her. For years, she’d kept herself at arm’s length, assuming everyone was so judgmental, but that wasn’t it at all. Everyone cared; they’d just been looking for a reason to cross the divide.

Touched, she turned her back, swallowing hard, busying herself with refilling ketchup bottles. “Whatcha got?”

“A pack of Junior Ranger cards. ” He settled next to Ellie in the booth.

Edith joined them. Using her dramatic mother voice, she said, “Oh, look, Ellie. How nice is that?” The woman was going to make a wonderful grandmother someday.

“Each one pictures some bit of California wildlife,” Scott said, peeling off a sticker and putting it on Ellie’s shirt. “You’ve got to study up, if you’re going to be an honorary forest ranger. ”

With her daughter so happily occupied, she set about doing the lunch prep, and Laura joined her. They got into a rhythm, where one unscrewed and wiped down ketchup bottles while the other filled them back up.

Laura shot a look at Scott, then muttered, “Studly job, good looking, and he likes animals? That man must get laid right and left. ”