Permission? What the heck did that mean?
“Ooh, that’s her ‘you’re about to catch hell’ face,” Aleki warned Caleb. “You’ve done it now.”
“Playing us off on one another like that wouldn’t be allowed,” Wolfe said seriously. “You’d get a spanking for that.”
“I think I’m too tired for this conversation.”
Wolfe frowned. “You just slept for ten hours.”
“Ten hours? I couldn’t have.”
“You did. I noted the times in your chart.”
“My chart?”
“Uh-huh. I have a chart for your sleep, your food and water intake, and also for your behavior. Here, drink this.”
“No, thank you,” she replied politely.
“You need to drink this. You haven’t eaten much and you were ill. You’re likely dehydrated.”
“What is it?”
“A protein drink.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Those things usually taste disgusting. What flavor is it?”
“Vanilla.”
“Urgh, vanilla,” Aleki said. “The nothing flavor. What’s even the point of vanilla?”
“You’re not helping, man,” Caleb said. “Jelly bean, Wolfe is right. You were already weak before you were struck by that tummy bug. This will be easy on your tummy and we can feed you something more if you feel up to it later.”
She sighed. “It would be better with some sprinkles and maybe one of those little umbrellas.”
Wolfe pulled out that notebook he’d been writing in a lot. “I’ll add umbrellas to the list.”
“List?” She took a sip.
“Of things you need.”
“I don’t need anything,” she said quickly.
“Yes, you do. You need some different flavored protein shakes for a start.”
“Get raspberry if they have that flavor,” Aleki told him.
“Good thought. I’ll check. You also need more clothing. I only managed to get you around five clothing changes. You’ll need considerably more. Along with toiletries. Shoes. Any preferences for your Little?”
“I, uhh, I don’t know. I. . .”
Wolfe didn’t look up. “I’ll make a selection.”
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know what kind of selection he was making.
“You guys shouldn’t spend all this money on me.”
“We have plenty,” Wolfe countered.