"This is not a steak." I used the fork to check the suspicious entrée. It was bad enough I had lost the debate and had been admitted to the hospital for the night. But, meatloaf for dinner was adding insult to injury.

David got to his feet. "Want me to get you a cheeseburger?"

"Make it two. And a vanilla shake."

"Eat your salad."

I poked at the limp lettuce. "It's dead." I reached for the sealed pudding cup. "At least they can't ruin desert."

David tweaked my foot. "I'll be back shortly, behave yourself while I'm gone."

"You want good behavior, too?" I grinned. "Your pushing it. You already overruled me on staying here for the night."

"I managed to stop the family from descending on you, so we're even."

"It's a brief reprieve and you know it." I opened the pudding cup and placed it on the tray. "Sunday's dinner should be interesting. I sure hope Hallee has earth shaking news to share or I'm going to be toast."

David laughed. "You walked into it. I'll head the family off for a few days, but after that, you're on your own."

"I hate being the center of attention."

"Next time don't get hurt."

I couldn't exactly argue that point.

There was a tap on the door.

"May I come in?"

"Hi, Clayton. Sure." I pushed away the tray.

"David's smuggling in real food… you want something?"

David stopped by the door as he watched Clayton. "Cheeseburger? Polish? Or Chili? I'm heading across the street."

"Polish with the works would be great."

"I'll be back in a few minutes. Jaidyn's getting feisty so watch yourself."

"Thanks a lot." I settled back on the pillows while Clayton took a seat. He looked tired but I wasn't surprised. It was after 7:00 pm and his afternoon must have been tiring—working on grad school papers and hitting the books for hours on end. He stretched his legs out.

"You look better than I expected."

"Fiesty." I shook my head. "David needs to work on his adjectives."

"Oh, I dunno… I think it fits." Clayton glanced around at all the flowers. "It looks like you've had some company."

"I was just driving to work. You would have thought I got shot or something."

"Who are the red roses from?"

I bit back a grin trying to not be so obvious. "Check out the card."

Clayton hesitated.

"Go ahead. You'll appreciate it."

"Lecture to come, Ladybug." He tapped the card, "Sounds like family." He did sound relieved.

"He's another member of the family. Played the Admiral on JAG. And no… I don't want to explain the nickname." The roses were just like John: extravagant, unnecessary, wonderfully sweet.

Clayton settled back in the chair and stretched out his legs. "You've got a great family."

"Yes, I do." It was a subject that could make me sappy when I was tired.

The door opened as David backed in. "Two cheeseburgers, Jaidyn. I loaded them with hot stuff for you." He distributed the food.

"This is great. Thanks." My interrupted breakfast had been a long time ago. I listened to the guys talk while I focused on dinner.

"Ready to call it a day?" David caught me in a yawn as I finished.

I was stiff, sore, and feeling every minute of the very long day. "Getting there. Are you picking me up tomorrow morning?"

"Ten o'clock. Unless you page me earlier," David confirmed.

"Make it nine."

"Okay, nine."