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Clark leaned against the door frame and watched as she took his hand and leaned over to kiss his son’s forehead. “Good night, Jace. I hope you feel better tomorrow.”
“Me too. I’m sorry I threw up on you.”
Clark smothered a laugh with his hand, but Merry didn’t even look at him as she addressed Jace. “It’s okay. We can’t help that kind of thing. I’m sure I threw up on my mom a time or two.”
“I bet she didn’t get mad either.”
“Not a bit.” Merry held up the slime in her other hand, waving it at him. “Where do you want your slime?”
“On my nightstand. Don’t let dad take it when I fall asleep, okay?”
“I’ll kick his butt if he tries.”
“Hey!” Clark protested.
“I mean it,” she said, shooting him a wink as she set the slime on Jace’s nightstand. “Back off his slime.”
Clark held his hands up in surrender. “Consider me backed.”
Jace’s eyes drooped as he murmured, “I love you, Merry.”
Clark’s heart contracted as she took a beat to respond. “I love you, too. Sleep well, Jace.”
He cleared his throat in an attempt to dislodge the emotional lump there, but his voice still came out hoarse. “Can you pull the cord on the lamp for me?”
She turned on the lamp and Clark tapped the light switch. When she joined him in the hallway, Merry pinched the back of his arm lightly. “I heard you laughing about the puke, you jerk.”
“Ow!” Clark laughed. “I tried not to.”
“Not very well.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I love your hair. It’s so soft.”
“I have to use a really good conditioner or it becomes a rat’s nest of knots.”
“Is that why you picked the name Knottygirl?” he teased.
“No, smart-ass. My mom used to say I was a whiz with knots.” Her eyes danced as her hands demonstrated. “In yarn or cords or chains, give me enough time and I could untangle anything.”
“Quite the set of skills.” Clark caught himself leaning into her, and blurted, “Do you want to stay and watch a movie or something?”
“I should transfer my clothes to your dryer before—” Her phone rang and she held up the screen. “Mom.”
Clark whispered, “I’ll get us something to drink.”
“Thanks. Hi, Mom. Yeah, we got back from the doctor a little bit ago and he’s all tucked in. You and Clark were right, strep throat. We stopped by the pharmacy and got meds. Clark gave him the first dose.” Merry chuckled. “I am sure he’d love some of Dad’s magic soup.” Merry paused another moment and when she finally let out an exasperated sigh, Clark laughed softly. “Elderberry, zinc, some vitamin C, I have all of that. Why do I need to stay healthy?” When Merry released a guttural groan, Clark swung around with the sodas in his hands, thinking she’d hurt herself. “Oh, Mom, can’t you be Mrs. Claus for the Parade of Lights float?” Merry went to the washer and pulled the wet clothes out of the front loader. “How can I say no to the woman who gave me life?”
“Good answer,” Clark whispered loudly and Merry turned from transferring laundry to roll her eyes.
“Well, you do take care of my dog, so it’s only fair. You tell him that’s my dog, not his dog, and I will be up in a bit to get her.” Merry started the dryer and crossed the room to stand next to Clark. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll remember that. Bye.”
She slipped the phone in her pocket and Clark handed her the soda. “Thanks. My mother says she wants you to take zinc and she’ll be sending down some soup and more vitamins in the morning.”
“I don’t have zinc. I’m not even sure I know what that is.”
“I’ve got some at my place, I can grab it.”
Clark reached out for her hand, catching her when she started to leave. “Wait, Merry—”
