Page 43 of Old-Fashioned

He opened the bag, read the bottle, and shook a tiny pill out and handed it to me, nodding my thanks at him, I said to Birdie, “Baby girl, here’s your medicine.”

She lifted her head, and opened her mouth, placing the pill on her tongue, I tagged her drink, and helped her take a few sips.

Once I was sure she had it down, I looked at Baker, “What did you drive?”

He lifted his keys, “My truck.”

“Okay, give me the keys, I’m taking Birdie home, can you follow us on my bike?” At his nod, I tagged his keys, pocketed her medicine and looked at Isla.

“Can you grab her things for me?” Isla raced around behind the bar and did as I asked.

Fifteen minutes later, I parked Baker’s truck in my drive, and called out, “Birdie? Baby girl, we’re home.”

My chest tightened when she lifted her head opened her eyes and looked out of her window.

Thankfully she didn’t comment on exactly where we were.

I could have taken her home, but, well, call me an overprotective Neanderthal, but while she wasn’t feeling well, I wanted her in my bed.

Surrounded by my scent.

I wanted her to know that I would always have her.

Fucking always.

When she still didn’t comment, I shut Baker’s truck off, climbed out, rounded the hood, opened her door, helped her off with her seat belt, and had her in my arms, by the time Baker parked my bike in my garage.

Carefully, I walked up the steps, and nodded at Baker, he whipped his keys out, and used his key to unlock my door.

Carrying Birdie to my bedroom, I made it my mission to repeat this when her head wasn’t killing her.

Carefully, I lowered her onto the bed then stepped to my dresser.

Grabbing the first of my t-shirts my hand landed one, I handed it to her, “Here Baby girl, get your clothes off, pull this on, and climb in bed. Are you hungry?”

She shook her head, “No. Just sleepy.”

“Okay, Baby girl,” I told her as I stepped out of the bedroom and closed the door then headed back to the kitchen.

Baker was leaned up against the island, the moment he saw me he asked, “She going to be, okay?”

I nodded, “Yeah, think so. Said she just wants to sleep.”

“Never had a migraine, looked up her medication. It’s some hardcore shit. I hate it for her.” I could tell that he did too.

I pulled my phone out and called the bar, “Virgin Mary’s, what do you want?”

I snickered, “You guys have the bar?”

Frank asked immediately, “She alright?”

“Yeah, she’s alright. Tell you what, with how short we’re going to be tomorrow, just close it down. We’ll reopen on Monday.”

“You never close the bar,” he told me.

I didn’t see Baker looking behind me.

“Never had a woman in my life like Birdie. And I’ll be damned if she’s hurting and I’m not here for her.”