Southern Comfort - Fern Michaels [68]
“No, why?”
“You went from one hundred percent smile to frown in point-zero seconds.”
“A bad taste in my mouth, that’s all,” Kate said, suddenly wanting to tell him all about Tyler. How she’d kicked his ass and what a waste of humanity he was, but the timing was off. They had Rosita to consider now.
“I’ll get the clothes.”
“Thanks.”
Kate spoke to Rosita as though the incident with Bird had never happened. “Are you okay with a shower before we eat?” She wanted her to understand that no one would force her to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with.
Rosita looked down at her clothes, which were nothing more than sun-bleached rags.
“Mr. . . . Tick has offered to lend you a T-shirt and boxers for the night, are you okay with that?” Not knowing what the child had been through and if the simple act of showering and changing into fresh clothes would have an effect on her, Kate made a mental list of things she and Sandy had that might be more suitable for the child, things that would make her feel more comfortable. Like a hairbrush and underwear that would be a bit big, but they’d surely fit better than Tick’s.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Whoa, Kate thought. This was the most polite kid she’d ever encountered. She caught Sandy’s gaze. “Why don’t you run over to the shell and get that little blue nightgown that’s too small for me, and maybe some girly underthings for Rosita. And a hairbrush with one of those scrunchies for her hair. Bring the baby lotion, too.”
Sandy caught on. “Great idea. By the time you’re finished with your shower,” she said to Rosita, “I’ll be back.”
Tick stepped into the small living area holding a tattered red shirt and silk boxers with fish on them. Kate raised her brow in question. “Nice. Uh . . . I mean, we’re going to get her some girl things. If it’s okay.” Why did she say that? Of course it was okay.
“Good idea. Now”—he clapped his hands together—“if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the bathroom. I’ve told Bird to go into the kitchen. There’s a bit of . . . well, Bird sleeps on the shower rod. He uses the tub as a toilet sometimes. I cleaned it, but there might be a bit of . . . well, you get the picture.”
Tick let Bird poop in the shower; yeah, Kate got it. “We’ll watch our step,” she said, as he closed the door.
With a caring touch, Kate brushed her hand through Rosita’s snarled hair. “We’ll get you cleaned up in no time, then we can have that bacon and eggs. Deal?”
Rosita nodded.
Inside the small bathroom, Kate helped her out of her raggedy clothes. She turned the shower on, adjusting the water to a comfortable temperature. She found a clean towel and washcloth and placed them on the back of the toilet tank, along with a fresh bar of Ivory soap and a trial-size bottle of dandruff shampoo. Probably a good idea, she thought, as she helped Rosita into the shower. She gave her the soap and shampoo and a thick pink washcloth, then pulled the shower curtain aside, allowing the child a bit of privacy even though she seemed completely comfortable undressing with Kate in the room. Kate swore she heard humming. Poor thing, how long has it been since she showered and had a decent meal? In good time, she told herself. In good time. If and when she found out who left this child out in the middle of nowhere, practically naked and starving, she promised herself she would kick ass and take names later.
Chapter 15
Tyler jolted awake at the sound of his cell phone buzzing on the night table next to him. Looking at the screen, he cringed when he saw UNKNOWN CALLER, UNKNOWN NUMBER. The blackmailer. He pushed the green button.
“What do you want? I told you I wasn’t dealing! Are you . . . stupid or what?” Tyler spit into the phone, then wished he hadn’t. Where this newfound set of balls came from he hadn’t a clue. Must be the incognito thing.
The voice over the phone actually chuckled. “We’re getting brave now, aren’t we?”
Tyler felt his hands start to shake as he raced to the window to see if his blackmailer was watching him from afar. With only a partial view of the parking lot