She shook her head then set a paper plate on his desk. “I saved you a little. I figured you’d need your strength.”
He gave her a half-hearted smile. “Thanks, sis.” He poured a cup of the bitter nectar and held the pot up, offering her some.
She shook her head. “I had plenty at breakfast. With Cooper.”
Hatcher paused, the coffee pot still in his grip. “Should I be worried?”
“Only if you plan to intervene.” She raised a brow at him.
Hatcher stepped back to his desk and sipped at the coffee, trying his best to read between the lines. “Okay, I surrender. Why would I intervene?”
She crossed her arms and stared at him. “Because you never thought anybody was good enough for me.”
“Because they’re not.” He slowly sat down, his eyes studying her. “I’m curious though…do I need to set an extra plate for our family get togethers?”
Vic shrugged. “I’m not ruling it out.”
Hatcher shook his head and sipped the coffee. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
She raised a brow at him. “Daniel, I’m not a kid.”
“Neither is he.” He raised a brow back at her. “Just…don’t jump into anything.”
“Do I ever?” She pushed off of the door jamb and hooked her thumb toward the courtyard. “They’re setting the poles for the greenhouse.”
Hatcher’s brows narrowed. “Already?”
Vicky nodded. “Will said something about getting a jump on planting. I’m no gardener, so I have no idea the ins and outs, but he said the sooner they get the structure up, the sooner he can put in the grow lights.”
Hatcher leaned back and sighed. “The man is like the Energizer Bunny.” He took a long drink from his coffee then stood. “I guess I better go and see if I can help.”
She held a hand up to stop him. “He’s got all available hands out there already. If you just want to go have a look, that’s fine. Just don’t get in the way.”
“Get in the way? Me?” He tapped his chest. “I’m not useless ya know.”
“You can’t swing a hammer to save your life.” She snorted at him. “If we get a bear that we need to move, you’re the first person I’ll call. But leave the building stuff to people who know what they’re doing.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “I’m guessing Cooper is out there.”
She nodded. “And if he’s whistling, don’t you dare read anything more into it.” She gave him a stern glare. “I mean it.”
Hatcher held a hand up, stopping her. “Trust me, the only thing worse than hearing about your love life is the idea of listening to him talk about his.” He shuddered animatedly. “His old wrinkled ass—”
“His ass is NOT wrinkled.” She paused and gave him a shocked look. “Never mind. I’m going to…inventory the infirmary.”
Hatcher pushed the mental image from his mind and stepped out to the veranda beside the courtyard. He did a double take when he saw Mike Sutton leaning on the adobe archway. Stella was by his side, watching is face for any signs of pain.
“Savage?”
Mike turned and gave him a crooked smile. “Just Mike.” He turned back to the men working and nodded. “It’s really happening, isn’t it?”
Hatcher nodded. “Looks like it. Ready or not, they’re going full tilt on this project.” Mike stuck his hand out and Hatcher reluctantly took it. “What’s this for?”
“For letting us be a part of it.” He shook Hatcher’s hand then winced. “I just wish I could be a more proactive part of it.”
“You will.” Hatcher turned and watched as the men set base poles into holes filled with concrete. “Not to be nosey, but should you be out here?”
Mike shrugged. “I have to move around some. That bed…it’s just not me.” He took a deep breath and winced, his hand gripping his middle tighter.
Stella gripped his arm. “Come on. You should be resting.”
Mike brushed her off. “I’m fine Stella. I’d like to watch.” He closed his eyes and smiled. “I want to watch our future grow before my eyes.”
Broussard wiped nervously at his forehead and slid the test tube out of the incubator. “This should be it.” He looked to Carol, who gave him a nervous smile. “We just need to test it.”
“The tissue samples won’t be ready for days.” She chewed at her lower lip. “Maybe we should make more…so when the tests prove positive we’ll be well on our way to mass production.”
Broussard set the tube in the holder and stepped back. “I feel like it’s a live grenade.” He laughed nervously. “I, too, wish we could test it now.” He looked at her knowingly.
Carol nodded. “Yeah. Well, why not?” Her hand slipped into her lab coat pocket and she withdrew a long cotton swab. Her eyes met his. Her face was stoic as she reached across the table and lifted the top of the tube. She ran the swab along the edge of the glass then sealed it again.
Broussard said nothing as she walked across the lab and swabbed the edge of Kevin’s coffee mug. She took a deep breath then slipped the swab into the hazardous waste bin and stripped her gloves. She turned and gave him a sad smile. “We’re confident in the work…aren’t we?”
Broussard nodded, his eyes glued to the coffee mug. “Oui…yes, yes. But perhaps we should wait and…” His voice trailed off as Kevin pushed the door open to the lab.
“What are you two up to?” He seemed overly joyous as he dropped a paper towel on the table, a half-eaten doughnut wrapped inside. “Oh, there’s doughnuts on the mess decks.”
The pair watched as he plucked his coffee cup from the top of the file cabinet and blew inside. He poured his coffee then set down at the table.
Both researchers watched as he sipped from the cup then took another bite from the doughnut. Carol glanced at Broussard who seemed to be blowing a hard breath out.
“Doughnuts ya say?” Carol gave Kevin a smile. “Were
