Lullaby for Two / Child's Play: Lullaby for Two. Cindi Myers

baby monitor if he cries. You’ve got to give yourself a breather, Vince. Have you even slept in the past two days?”

      “I got a few hours’ sleep the night before surgery, and again last night.”

      “In a recliner in Sean’s room.”

      “It was comfortable.”

      “Has anyone ever told you your stubborn determination can be frustrating?”

      He smiled at her. “I’ve always considered it one of my better traits.”

      When he smiled like that, she felt butterflies flutter in almost every part of her body. She was only here to help him with Sean. “I haven’t had supper, either. We can share Rhonda’s casserole.”

      Tessa decided to serve their meal on the coffee table in the living room because Vince needed to relax. Maybe he would if the atmosphere was casual enough.

      When he came into the living room and saw the two steaming plates, he admitted, “I think I am hungry. I had a sandwich from the cafeteria but that was a long time ago.”

      “This looks great.”

      Vince sat beside Tessa and dug his fork into the casserole.

      They ate in silence for a few minutes until Tessa asked, “Are you going to work tomorrow?”

      “I’m going in late. That way I can make sure everything’s okay with Sean and Mrs. Zappa—Rhonda—before I leave. I’ll stay late if I call home and everything’s okay.”

      “You’re not going to call her every hour, are you?”

      He gave Tessa a sideways glance. “How did you guess?” Then he smiled. “No, I’m not going to call every hour. I trust her. The doctor said the incision on Sean’s shoulder and the one on his leg looked good. I changed the dressings and Sean didn’t seem to mind too much.”