Chapter Twenty-Three
Tatum looked up relieved when she saw her sister walk in. She'd struggled through today, feeling like she was coming down with the flu, even if she knew better. Sue had made several jokes or comments about staying away from her, as she was clearly under the weather recently, or about needing one of those face masks they use in Asia.
"I'm glad you're here," the redhead said, as her sister made her way around the bar. "You look... very happy. What did you guys do?" she asked, almost sounding a little suspicious. While she'd thought that they were a happy couple when he'd first arrived, there had been little evidence of that in recent days. Until now.
"We went to the park. He brought our song and we danced before having a picnic. And he even arranged a horse and carriage ride," Isabella told her, almost feeling as good as during her first couple of months with David. "It was our first date," she explained when her sister didn't immediately react.
"That sounds lovely," Tatum said with a smile, happy her sister was happy.
"It was," the brunette smiled, almost feeling like she was on cloud-nine.
"It almost makes me feel a little guilty for askin' if you can cope this evenin' without me," the redhead responded, looking like she almost meant it. She was feeling too rough to be able to make it through tonight.
"I'm sure we'll be fine, don't worry," Isabella assured her. "You can head off now if you want. David took the leftovers from the picnic back home, so there's plenty of food if you're hungry," she added encouragingly. She was amused to see the want on her sister's face.
"I can't wait. Thanks," Tatum gave her a grateful hug that took her a little by surprise. "I'll see you later or in the morning. Bye Sue," she added, grabbing her bag from underneath the counter and headed out the door.
"You think maybe she should go see a doctor? She seems to be feelin' under the weather a lot," the blonde waitress commented as she came back behind the bar to get a cloth to wipe down some tables that had just been vacated.
"Maybe," Isabella shrugged, not wanting to give away that she knew what was up with her sister. "I'll suggest it to her tomorrow," she added, to get her off their scent for a bit. "Let's just get back at it," she said now, seeing a group enter and replace the couple of individual customers that left at the same time as Tatum.
"On it, boss," Sue nodded and headed over.
Tatum made her way home on foot, having noticed the other day that she tended to feel better and sleep better if she'd had some fresh air and exercise during the day. And, even though she had started to feel a little hungry, she stopped by the park for a little bit, just to enjoy some solitude. She sat back against one of the trees and closed her eyes for a moment, to enjoy the gentle breeze that had started.
"Tatum?"
She gave a small groan, not wanting to check who she thought it was. "What do you want Sean?" she asked, when she saw him walk onto the grass and sit down next to her.
"Just wanted to talk. See how you're doin'," he answered with a small smile.
"Why?" the redhead didn't understand. Nothing had changed in their situations for it to make sense that he wanted to know about her. "You know, never mind. I'm sure Aaron will be appearin' any minute now anyway and I can't be bothered," Tatum started to get up.
"No, he won't, he's at the factory," Sean objected, sstopping her from moving by putting his hand on her arm.
She gave him a wry smile with a shake of the head as she sat back down. "Oh, I get it now, I wondered why you had the guts to come over when he might be around. Very brave Sean, very brave waitin' until he's not around," she gave him stick. She could see the comment hurt his pride, but she wasn't saying anything that wasn't true. Besides, she'd been on the receiving end of more than a few mean comments as a result of Sean's proximity or inability to tell his brother to leave people alone.
"Sorry," was all he said now, slowly pulling his hand back. There was nothing he could do to change the past, but it was the only explanation he had for wanting to get to know her now; to make up for years of torment at the hands of his brother.
She gave a simple shrug and settled back against the tree. "What?" Tatum asked carefully when she noticed he hadn't looked away from her.
"You didn't answer how you're doin'," Sean said simply, not responding when she frowned at him. She still didn't understand, but then neither did he, so he was relieved she didn't ask for an explanation again.
"I'm fine," she answered, trying not to put her hand obviously on her stomach. She wasn't showing yet, so she figured he'd assume she might still be feeling nauseous or hungry. "Thank you for askin'," she added, getting a smile in return now.
"You're welcome," he nodded, picking at the grass as he lowered his gaze.
The redhead tried to take him in without being obvious and she noticed he was still wearing clothes that he said his cousin had called 'too cowboy', jeans with a chequered shirt and cowboy boots. Again, she found herself thinking it suited him. "Looks like that shoppin' trip was a waste of time," she commented after a minute, making him look up at her surprised. "You still look like a cowboy to me," she explained her comment.
"What can I say? I'm comfortable like this," he smiled with a shrug.
Without meaning to, she stayed at the park with Sean for almost an hour before her grumbling tummy reminded her of the time.
"Let me walk you home," Sean offered as he held his hand out to help her up.
She let him but shook her head once she was on her feet. "You don't have to," Tatum assured him, brushing some of the grass and dirt from her jeans. She was determined to wear them until she couldn't anymore.
"I want to," he corrected her, surprising himself as well as her.
"Okay then, I guess," she agreed and started to head away from the park. He followed her quickly as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I was wonderin', is it true that the Sheriff is datin' Vivian?" Tatum asked curiously after a few minutes. She'd heard Vivian, and other people, mention it, but she found it hard to imagine and Austin hadn't seemed to be interested in anyone but her sister. Oh, he tried to play it cleverly and flirted with her and Sue as well, but she wasn't blind.
"Not right now he isn't," Sean answered honestly. "They go through phases and are definitely not together at the moment." He wondered why she wanted to know, surprised to find himself hoping that it wasn't because she fancied the family's friend.
"Oh okay," the redhead nodded, without enlightening him as to her reasons. She continued walking, lost in her own thoughts about her sister and the Sheriff, mimicking his move as she put her hands in her pockets.
It wasn't far to get home and she'd done it before, but her body was struggling this time. The further they walked, the more nauseous and tired she felt, struggling to keep up with Sean. His lanky legs were not rushing but eased into a comfortable stride and he soon noticed she was lagging behind.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked as he slowed down and looked at her. He felt like all he ever seemed to ask her was how she was feeling. Tatum nodded carefully, hoping she wouldn't start throwing up again. "You don't look it," Sean tried not to be rude.
She took a deep breath to try to settle herself but instead found herself trying not to double over as a bad cramp took her by surprise. "I just need to get home," she said lamely, not even trying to come up with an excuse to explain her behaviour. "Sorry Sean," the redhead apologised and, as best she could, she set off to hide away.
He looked after her confused, but didn't follow her; clearly, she didn't want any company right now. He watched her until she was out of sight before he headed back towards town with a shrug.