professionals steps away.” Sheriff Triche’s tone sounded less like the lawman.
“I want to be close by in case anything happens.” LaShaun couldn’t bring herself to say out loud that her grandmother might well die soon.
“I understand. Sorry for all your troubles.” Sheriff Triche nodded. After one last long look at Chase, he left.
Chase went with LaShaun back to the critical care unit. Tasha and the nurse assured her that Monmon Odette was stable. Yet, the hospital atmosphere seemed to signal death. Long shadows along the hospital corridor created a gloomy atmosphere. The smell of disinfectant increased the effect.
“It’s almost seven and getting dark out. You’ve been here for hours. I think you should go home, shower and sleep. Come back later tonight if it makes you feel better.” Tasha put an arm around LaShaun.
Uncle Leo walked up as Tasha spoke. “Me and my wife gonna be here awhile, LaShaun. She’s right. Go on home.”
“See? Mrs. Rousselle has an army of folks standing by for her,” Tasha said with a smile.
“I’ll be back by ten, Uncle Leo. You have my cell phone number if anything happens.” LaShaun looked at them both.
“Stay and get some sleep. We’ll call you the minute anything changes, I swear.” Tasha gave her another pat on the shoulder then went back to look in on Monmon Odette. Uncle Leo followed her.
“Your grandmother would want you to take care of yourself,” Chase said softly. “Come on, I’ll drive. You look worn out.”
Part of her wanted to object, but exhaustion gripped her. She walked beside him out of the hospital to the parking lot. LaShaun got into his truck. He slammed the passenger door shut, then got in and drove off. When LaShaun opened her eyes again Chase was gently tugging on her arm. He helped her climb down from on the running board of the truck. They were at his house.
“This isn’t a smart idea for a lot of reasons. Your boss is already looking at you funny.” LaShaun didn’t resist as he grabbed her hand and led her to the front porch steps. She yawned.
“You shouldn’t be alone after everything that’s happened. Which of your relatives would you like to spend the night with?” Chase unlocked his door and clicked the remote of his security system.
LaShaun faced him once he’d closed the front door. “You’ve got a career and reputation to consider. Not to mention what your family will think.”
“Let me worry about that.” Chase locked the door and set the alarm. “Take a warm relaxing shower, and grab that LSU t-shirt in the top drawer of the dresser. That should fit you like a big sleep shirt. I’ll brew some herbal tea to help us both sleep.”
“Yes sir.” LaShaun saluted.
When he grinned back at her, she felt a rush of pleasure. Chase headed toward the kitchen. “Take your time and let the water work its magic.”
“I still say you should stay away from me,” LaShaun called. When he didn’t turn around, she shrugged and did as instructed.
He was right. Standing under the warm water coming from the rainfall showerhead caused much of the tension in her body to slip away. The master bathroom seemed designed to be a refuge. Soft tan marble surrounded the shower stall. A huge tub with several water jets could easily accommodate two people. Soft lighting and the smell of soap almost made the horrible events of the past few hours slip away. But not quite. LaShaun couldn’t get Sheriff Triche’s words out of her head. She slipped into the t-shirt and went to the vanity. Steam covered the wide oval mirror above the long counter. LaShaun bent over to rummage through a drawer, and finally found a comb and tortoise shell hairbrush. When she looked into the mirror again the outline of a grinning faced stared back at her. She froze for a few seconds then backed away. The comb and brush slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the tile floor.
“Tea’s ready. Hey, you okay in there?” Chase
“I want to be close by in case anything happens.” LaShaun couldn’t bring herself to say out loud that her grandmother might well die soon.
“I understand. Sorry for all your troubles.” Sheriff Triche nodded. After one last long look at Chase, he left.
Chase went with LaShaun back to the critical care unit. Tasha and the nurse assured her that Monmon Odette was stable. Yet, the hospital atmosphere seemed to signal death. Long shadows along the hospital corridor created a gloomy atmosphere. The smell of disinfectant increased the effect.
“It’s almost seven and getting dark out. You’ve been here for hours. I think you should go home, shower and sleep. Come back later tonight if it makes you feel better.” Tasha put an arm around LaShaun.
Uncle Leo walked up as Tasha spoke. “Me and my wife gonna be here awhile, LaShaun. She’s right. Go on home.”
“See? Mrs. Rousselle has an army of folks standing by for her,” Tasha said with a smile.
“I’ll be back by ten, Uncle Leo. You have my cell phone number if anything happens.” LaShaun looked at them both.
“Stay and get some sleep. We’ll call you the minute anything changes, I swear.” Tasha gave her another pat on the shoulder then went back to look in on Monmon Odette. Uncle Leo followed her.
“Your grandmother would want you to take care of yourself,” Chase said softly. “Come on, I’ll drive. You look worn out.”
Part of her wanted to object, but exhaustion gripped her. She walked beside him out of the hospital to the parking lot. LaShaun got into his truck. He slammed the passenger door shut, then got in and drove off. When LaShaun opened her eyes again Chase was gently tugging on her arm. He helped her climb down from on the running board of the truck. They were at his house.
“This isn’t a smart idea for a lot of reasons. Your boss is already looking at you funny.” LaShaun didn’t resist as he grabbed her hand and led her to the front porch steps. She yawned.
“You shouldn’t be alone after everything that’s happened. Which of your relatives would you like to spend the night with?” Chase unlocked his door and clicked the remote of his security system.
LaShaun faced him once he’d closed the front door. “You’ve got a career and reputation to consider. Not to mention what your family will think.”
“Let me worry about that.” Chase locked the door and set the alarm. “Take a warm relaxing shower, and grab that LSU t-shirt in the top drawer of the dresser. That should fit you like a big sleep shirt. I’ll brew some herbal tea to help us both sleep.”
“Yes sir.” LaShaun saluted.
When he grinned back at her, she felt a rush of pleasure. Chase headed toward the kitchen. “Take your time and let the water work its magic.”
“I still say you should stay away from me,” LaShaun called. When he didn’t turn around, she shrugged and did as instructed.
He was right. Standing under the warm water coming from the rainfall showerhead caused much of the tension in her body to slip away. The master bathroom seemed designed to be a refuge. Soft tan marble surrounded the shower stall. A huge tub with several water jets could easily accommodate two people. Soft lighting and the smell of soap almost made the horrible events of the past few hours slip away. But not quite. LaShaun couldn’t get Sheriff Triche’s words out of her head. She slipped into the t-shirt and went to the vanity. Steam covered the wide oval mirror above the long counter. LaShaun bent over to rummage through a drawer, and finally found a comb and tortoise shell hairbrush. When she looked into the mirror again the outline of a grinning faced stared back at her. She froze for a few seconds then backed away. The comb and brush slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the tile floor.
“Tea’s ready. Hey, you okay in there?” Chase
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