“So do I…” His voice trailed. “Creighton had some news.”
“Oh, yes?”
“He fired Martha. Apparently he told her that if she tried to make any more trouble for Parker, he’d sue her for leaving Houston and using a company plane without his permission to fly down.”
“So that’s how she got here so fast!” Terri was aghast. “I’m glad he got rid of her, for all your sakes.”
“It’s the best wedding present he could have given us. What would you like to do now?”
“Open presents on your bed.”
“Why in there?”
“Because you look tired. I happen to know you’re in pain. Why don’t we both change. You need to get that arm back in the sling. I’ll bring some tablets.”
“All that sounds good except the presents.”
“Then we’ll worry about them another day. I happen to have another surprise for you anyway.”
She must have said the right thing. Something ignited in the depths of his eyes. “Don’t take too long.”
He’d sounded like he’d really meant it.
One thing she did know. He’d sought her companionship from the very first. As long as that never changed, she would nurse the hope that one day he’d show her he wanted more…
Terri’s family had given her a lovely nightgown and matching peignoir, but she couldn’t wear them around Ben. So it was back to the nightgown and robe she’d brought with her the first time. With a little rummaging, she found a certain video and stuffed it in her pocket.
In the kitchen Terri pulled a vase from the cupboard over the microwave. She filled it with water, then arranged the bluebonnets which had held up amazingly well.
After putting two pills in her other pocket, she headed for Ben’s bedroom with everything including a glass of water. Once she’d set the vase down on the table, she walked over to him. He’d gotten under the covers. “Here you go.”
While he swallowed his tablets, she noticed he was wearing a new pair of pajamas in a coffee shade. And here she’d thought navy was his best color…
Needing to stay busy and out of trouble, she made an adjustment to his sling. When he’d finished drinking, she took the glass and put it back on the table.
“When are you going to give me my surprise?”
Terri eyed him provocatively. “Captain Rogers was right about your impatient streak.” She pulled the video out of her pocket and put it in the machine. “This is Beth’s wedding present to us.”
The second The Invisible Man appeared on the screen, he chuckled.
“Can you believe she found it?”
“Come and watch it with me.” Like déjà vu, she watched him pat her side of the bed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
It would be ridiculous for her to sit on a chair now. She was his wife after all.
Trying to act as nonchalant as possible, she walked over to the bed and lay down with her head at the foot. It felt so good to relax, she let out a deep sigh and rested her cheek on her arms. The old Hollywood film was great, but after a few minutes her eyelids started to droop.
“Your idea for establishing a chamber of commerce was brilliant. But your mention of several oversights has got me curious.”
His comment brought her back to consciousness. She sat up. “You don’t want to watch the movie?”
“I did watch it. I loved it.”
“You mean it’s over?”
“I’m afraid you slept through the whole thing.”