Special Delivery. Judi Lynn

across Axel’s dry, weedy field. “Mom invited me for supper tonight, since I’d be so close.”

      “You had a choice,” Brad called. “You could hit Chase’s with me.”

      “Maybe next week.”

      “Yeah, right, you’ll probably hole up in your studio.” Brad pulled away.

      With a wave, Keagan climbed in his SUV and left, too.

      Karli had enjoyed their company. She grimaced as she walked back into the house. She got to spend Saturday night with Axel. Woo-hoo! She took a deep breath. So far, she’d struck out on everything she’d tried with the old man. Maybe she was going about things wrong.

      She went out to the sun porch to straighten his TV tray and asked, “Can you drive?” She’d seen an oversized gray pickup in his garage.

      Axel gave her a look. “What do you think?”

      “I’m not sure. But if you don’t want people in your house, maybe you should go to them.”

      Axel turned back to his TV show. “Doesn’t matter. Can’t drive, and I’m not paying.”

      Back to square one. “Then we haven’t made any progress.”

      “Speak for yourself. I’ve been eating high on the hog.”

      If looks could kill . . . She took a deep breath. How could she make him understand? “I didn’t come here to pamper you. I’m a nurse, but I’m not your nurse. I came to help you find a nursing home or get you live-in care.”

      “No worries. You’re doing that, missy. You just being here will bring some of the others, and then they can knock themselves out, trying to win my favor.”

      The old man just didn’t get it. She put a hand on his forehead and shook her head. “Nope, no fever. You’re not delirious, just deluded.”

      He sniffed and turned away. “Just you wait and see. They’ll be here.”

      As she carried his things to the kitchen and began putting them away, she slammed doors a little harder than needed. But if any of his kids were like him, the old fool might be right.