Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) Kaylie Hunter (books to read this summer TXT) 📖

needs a physical. She had a headache last night and said she was tired. Jackson told me she’s been tired a lot lately.”

Haley looked up at the clock. “The clinic doesn’t open until ten o’clock on Thursdays so Doc should be able to come right over. I’ll get my medical bag.”

“Meet me in Hattie’s room,” I said before returning to the kitchen and climbing the small private stairway to Hattie’s room.

Knocking on the door, it was a minute or two before Hattie called for me to enter. When I walked in, she was still in bed and working her way to a sitting position.

“I must’ve been more tired than I thought,” Hattie said, smiling at me. “Is it really almost seven-thirty?”

“No worries. Breakfast shift is almost over, and the kids are getting ready for school.”

“I should get up.”

“Nope. Stay in bed. We need to talk.” I helped her lean forward and adjusted the pillows behind her so she could rest more comfortably. “Jackson ratted you out. Said you haven’t been yourself lately.”

Hattie sighed, but didn’t say anything.

The dark circles under her eyes were even darker than they’d been the night before. Not only was her face pale, but she looked like she’d lost weight too. I mentally kicked myself for not noticing. “Doc’s on his way over to do a complete physical.”

“It’s nothing a little sleep won’t cure.”

“You’ve tried sleeping. Didn’t work. Now we try this.” I sat on the side of the bed, laying my hand on top of hers. “You’re too important to this family to ignore your health.”

“I really don’t think it’s anything to worry about, sunshine.”

“Then let Doc check you out and confirm it.”

“Fine. I’ll agree to a physical, but no fussing. You know how much I hate people fussing over me.”

“Because that’s your job?” Haley asked as she walked into the room.

I moved out of Haley’s way as she pulled a blood pressure cuff out of her medical bag.

“Damn straight, Haley,” Hattie said before looking at me. “You can leave, Kelsey. You promised to handle the breakfast shift and that includes the dirty dishes. I’m in good hands.”

“I’ll leave you in Haley’s care—for now,” I said, rolling my eyes before I exited through the private stairway.

At the bottom of the stairs I paused to take a few slow deep breaths. I didn’t want the kids to see how worried I was. Nicholas, especially, couldn’t handle any more stress.

Wild Card spotted me and climbed the few steps to fold me into his arms. “Jackson told me. She okay?” he asked in a whisper.

“I don’t know. That’s what scares me.” I hugged him back a little tighter.

“Take a moment. I’ll get Sara to school and take Nicholas with me to get him out of the house.”

“What time are we expecting Grady?”

“Not for a few hours yet. Bones called and said they discharged Grady and they’re on their way to Pops’ house.”

I nodded into his shoulder, taking another deep breath of his cologne as he rubbed my back. “Thank you, Cooper.”

“It’s been a long time since you called me Cooper. I missed it,” he said as he pulled back enough to kiss my forehead before walking away.

I stayed in the stairway, hearing Tweedle ordering Jackson and Reggie around as they gathered food for the outdoor security team and for Headquarters. I sat on the steps, listening to Wild Card argue with the kids until they were ready, then escorting them and Beth out the door. Tweedle, Jackson, and Reggie left at the same time, and the house was suddenly quiet. I stepped out of my hiding place to find Lisa, Anne, and Alex waiting to speak to me, worry etched on their faces. “Doc should be here soon.”

As if I summoned him, Doc walked through the front door with Tyler.

“Look at all these sad faces,” Doc said in his normal cheerful voice. “Quit borrowing trouble. We’ll sort this out.” Doc climbed the main stairs, all business.

“How is she?” Tyler asked. “I noticed she was pale yesterday, but I thought she was tired.”

“I thought the same. I should’ve known better,” I admitted, throwing myself into a chair.

“Don’t do that,” Lisa said, sitting beside me. “You were the one who checked on her last night and again this morning.”

“I’m staying at the house today,” Alex said. “You have Grady to deal with later. We have plenty of people to cover my shift at the store.”

“You don’t have to,” I said. “Wild Card said he’d watch Nicholas for me. I can work from home.”

“She’s my Hattie, too,” Alex said, grabbing a clean plate from the cupboard. “I’ll take her a breakfast and a cup of tea.”

I looked at Alex’s outfit and smirked. “She’ll get a kick out of your outfit today.”

Alex was wearing a pink skirt with a matching pink blazer, a white silk blouse, and on top of his head was a large white silk bonnet trimmed in pink flowers.

Alex winked as he filled a plate. “I was thinking of Hattie when I dressed this morning.”

“You look ridiculous,” Haley said as she stepped off the stairs and into the kitchen.

Alex laughed, pulled Haley into his body and kissed her. “That’s the point, luv.”

Haley stepped away, slapping his ass as he started up the stairs with the food.

“So… He’s not—” Anne started to ask.

“Nope,” Haley said as she grinned.

“Is he bi—” Lisa started to ask.

“Not even a little,” Haley said.

“Then, why—” I started to say.

“Because it entertains the shit out of him,” Haley said as she started to put away the leftovers. “Get off your duffs and help clean this mess.”

“That little shit…” I muttered as I walked into the kitchen and filled the sink with fresh dishwater.

“Who else knows?” Lisa asked,