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

the way.” Maggie bopped her head up and down, listening. “Yes, that means don’t tell Kierson.” A few minutes lapsed before she said, “Perfect. Thanks.” She smiled at something Genie was saying. “Hang on.” She hit a button on her phone and turned the phone toward the table. “You’re on speaker, Genie. Gang’s all here.”

“Hello, my wonderful Michigan friends!” Genie sing-sang over the speaker.

“Hi, Genie!” everyone shouted back.

“Oh, it’s lovely to hear everyone!”

I leaned closer to the phone. “If you’re not doing anything this weekend, you’re welcome to come visit.”

“Maybe next time. You know, after the cartel thing.”

“Understand completely. Enjoy your weekend.”

“You too. Bye, everybody!”

“Bye, Genie!” everyone shouted back.

Maggie disconnected the phone as Tweedle filled our coffee cups again. “Why aren’t you cranky about her being happy in the morning?”

“Because Genie doesn’t poke the bear,” Wild Card said, taking the coffee pot and nudging Tweedle back to the kitchen. “Genie runs the other way when Kelsey’s having her mood swings.”

“I don’t have mood swings.”

The room became quiet, and everyone conveniently found somewhere else to look than my direction.

Maggie was the first to speak. “Genie said Miguel is in Mexico and isn’t expected in the States over the next few days.”

“He’s likely to cross the border once the text alerts go out,” I said. “I’ll have to think about our introduction.”

“What’s the agenda for the rest of the day?” Wild Card asked as he walked around the table, filling coffee cups.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“A little after eight.”

“Damn,” I said, realizing Hattie and Pops should have been down by now.

I went into the kitchen and filled two coffee cups before climbing the stairs. After knocking twice on Hattie’s door, Pops called out to enter. Hattie was curled up on the bed, half asleep. Pops had moved the rocking chair over next to the bed and was reading to her.

I handed Pops a cup of coffee and set Hattie’s on her nightstand before sitting on the edge of the bed. “I was hoping you’d be feeling better today.”

“I don’t feel sick, just tired.” She shuffled back, trying to sit up.

“Stop. No reason for you to sit. What sounds good for breakfast?”

“Something light will do,” she said. “I’m not very hungry.”

“I’ll bring you up a few things and you can eat what you want. Pops? What would you like?”

“Anything will do,” he said, watching Hattie as her eyes drifted closed again.

I leaned over, kissing Hattie’s cheek, before I left.

At the bottom of the stairs, everyone stood waiting for me. “Hattie wants a light breakfast. Maybe some fruit, scrambled eggs, and toast?”

“Sure thing,” Wild Card said. “Pops?”

“He said anything is fine.”

“How is she?” Lisa asked.

“Worse,” I answered, walking into the other room and picking up my phone. I called Doc, wandering into the living room as the phone rang.

“Sorry, Kelsey,” Doc said when he answered. “I meant to call the lab first thing. How’s Hattie doing?”

“Doc, she’s bad. It’s a struggle for her to even sit up.”

“Give me five minutes. I’ll call you right back.” Doc disconnected.

I looked up to find Sara and Nicholas staring at me with worried faces.

“Come, here,” I said, calling them over as I sat in the chair in the living room.

“Hattie doesn’t have a virus, does she?” Sara asked as she climbed onto my lap.

“We don’t know. Doc came over yesterday and took a blood sample. We’re waiting to see what the results say.”

“Is she going to die?” Nicholas asked.

“No,” Wild Card said, scooping up Nicholas and sitting on the arm of the chair. “Hattie’s going to get better as soon as we figure out what’s making her tired. If she needs a doctor in Switzerland, we’ll take her to Switzerland. If she needs a week on the beach, we’ll fly her to Jamaica. Until we know what will make her feel better, we have to be patient.”

Nicholas looked back at me, waiting for me to say something. He knew I wouldn’t lie to him about something so important.

“Right now, Hattie’s tired, and we don’t know why. If we find out it’s something bad, I’ll tell you.”

“Promise?” Sara asked.

“Promise. For now, though, there’s nothing for you guys to worry about. Scout’s honor.”

“Mom!” Nicholas said, rolling his eyes. “You can’t be a scout. You’re a girl.”

“There are girl scouts,” Sara said, gearing up to argue.

“Go get dressed and brush your teeth,” I said, interrupting their anticipated argument. “After Hattie’s had a chance to eat some breakfast, I’ll take you up to see her. Vamoose!”

The kids were barely out of the room when my cell phone rang.

“It’s Kelsey,” I answered.

“I’m on my way over. I got the results, and I’ll explain when I get there.”

“Explain now.”

“I can’t. Doctor patient confidentiality.”

“Hattie won’t care.”

“Doesn’t make it legal. I’m on my way.” Doc hung up.

“He says he’s on his way over.”

“I’ll stay at home today,” Katie said. “I can work on the books from here.”

I shook my head. “One of us has to be at the store while we’re on red alert. And if I go, I’ll have to take Nicholas.”

“I’ll stay at the house,” Anne said, placing an arm around Katie’s shoulder. “I’ll text you every hour with updates.”

Wild Card stood. “I’ll take breakfast upstairs and let them know Doc is on his way.”

Lisa wrapped her arms around me. “I know you’re worried, but you called Doc instead of taking her to a hospital because you trust him.”

“Maybe she has mono,” Alex said, wrapping his arms around both Lisa and me, squeezing us together. “Wouldn’t that be funny? Hattie would blush for a year knowing she caught the kissing disease.”

Lisa and I laughed as we broke out of Alex’s hold