The Curl Up and Dye by Sharon Sala Read Free Book Online Page B

know what I’m thinking.”
    Carol groaned. “Yes. Inner ear troubles again. We went through that all through his childhood. I guess I thought he’d outgrown it.”
    “I’ll be sure to mention it to the doctor,” Lily said.
    “Tell Mike we love him and that we’ll be there as soon as we can get out, okay?”
    “Yes, ma’am, see you soon.”
    A short while later, Ruby came by with clean clothes and LilyAnn’s purse.
    “Here you go, honey. Clean clothes are in the bag. Lord have mercy, I never saw so much blood.”
    Lily nodded. “I know. Scared me to death when I first saw it, too. Thanks again for what you did. It really helps.”
    Ruby hugged her. “That’s what friends are for. You call me if you need anything else. Tomorrow’s Monday and you know I’m off work.”
    “Yes, thank you, but I think I can handle everything else.”
    “Did you get in touch with his family?”
    Lily nodded. “They’re snowed in. They’ll get here as soon as they can.”
    Ruby rolled her eyes. “I swear, Colorado is a beautiful state, but I could never live where it snows like that. I’d never get warm. Anyway, I’m off. Call if you need me.”
    “Thank you again.”
    Ruby smiled. “You’re welcome.”
    As soon as she left, LilyAnn changed out of her bloody clothes and then made a call to Willy Green, the local fix-it man, to repair Mike’s shower door. She had just finished negotiating a day and time for him to come by when she saw them bringing Mike down the hall from recovery. She breathed a huge sigh of relief.
    A short while later, Stewart Friend, the desk clerk at the fitness center, appeared, red in the face and out of breath. He poked his head in the room, saw Mike asleep on the bed, and motioned for Lily to come out in the hall.
    “Oh my God! It’s true. I heard he was in the hospital, but I didn’t believe it. Is he going to be all right?”
    “They said yes, but he’s going to be out of commission for a while.”
    “That’s what I came to talk about. You tell Mike that I’ll handle everything until he gets back. I know how he does everything, right down to daily deposits, and he trusts me. I’ve done it before. If I need help, I’ll get my wife to come in and help me clean and work the desk.”
    “That’s great. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it,” Lily said.
    “Yes, well, I’d better go. I’ll run by to make sure everything is set up to open tomorrow and then go from there.”
    “Thank you, Stewart. You are amazing.”
    Stewart shrugged. “I like Mike a lot. He’s not just a good boss, he’s a friend. So, see you later. Call if you need me.”
    Lily went back into the room with a lighter step. Yet another problem solved.
    ***
    LilyAnn had been sitting by Mike’s bed for almost an hour, studying the contours of his face. It was weird, but she felt like she was looking at a stranger—a good-looking stranger. She’d never seen him so still.
    Well-wishers straggled in and out of his room, but as soon as they realized he was asleep, left their regards and quickly exited—all except for Rachel Goodhope.
    The door was closed and visiting hours were over, and yet Rachel came in without knocking. She seemed surprised and then unhappy when she saw LilyAnn, but Lily didn’t care. The moment she saw what Rachel was wearing, her intent for being here was obvious.
    Despite the cold weather, her skirt was so short it barely covered her ass, and her black blouse was unbuttoned all the way past her décolletage. The red push-up bra beneath was doing a bang-up job of rearranging the ‘girls.’ They would have given Dolly Parton’s boobs a run for their money, and the message Rachel was sending was loud and clear.
    Lily knew Mike would never mess with a married woman, and since Mike could not defend himself, it was up to her to do it for him.
    When Rachel started to walk in, LilyAnn shot up from her chair and quickly backed her out into the hall, closing the door behind them.
    Rachel frowned. “What