“I did get therapy.”
“You mean the hospital provided it?”
“No. You did.”
She started to tremble. “I’m glad if I was able to help.”
“Everything you said and did brought me back to life. But none of it lasted long enough. That’s why I came after you.”
“You’ve got me now. Creighton’s ball and chain paperweight says it all.”
“That’s a private joke.”
“You mean because even you didn’t escape matrimony in the end?”
His lips twitched. “Something like that. Now where were we?”
Uh-oh. She scrambled to her feet and found a big plastic bag to start cleaning up the mess.
“Did the Rosario woman ask my brother for money?”
She paused. “No. He gave it to her out of the kindness of his heart.”
“Then I’ll reimburse him.”
“Do you think—” Terri caught herself before she said the rest. A spurt of adrenaline helped her get back to the business of straightening the room. The last thing she wanted to do was create any friction, not after the lovely evening they’d spent together.
“Do I think what?”
She should have known Ben wouldn’t let it go.
“Parker’s photograph gave me the idea to do a collection of family pictures and memorabilia somewhere in the condo.” In fact she’d just thought of something exciting for the master bedroom. “But we can talk about it another time.”
He got up from the couch. “Before today, this was simply a place for me to eat and sleep. Now that I have a wife, I want us to turn it into our home. I’m looking forward to seeing your things arrive from Lead. In the meantime, do whatever your heart desires and I’ll help.”
“You spoil me.” Her voice quivered.
“You’re so unmercenary, it makes me want to. Now, finish telling me what you were going to say about Parker.”
“That he’d probably be hurt if you tried to pay him back.”
“And?” he persisted.
Warmth crept up her neck and into her face.
“You and Creighton have always watched out for him. I just think that this one time he probably enjoyed being the benefactor.” Terri stared at her husband. “He adores you, but you’d be a hard act to follow.”
She felt his eyes on her as she collected the gifts and put them in on the dining table. Tomorrow she would write out thank-you notes. When she came back in the living room, Ben had pushed the cart out of the way and was waiting for her.
“Along with all your exceptional attributes, nature also gave you astounding insig
ht into human nature. I’ll leave it alone where Parker’s concerned.”
Thank you. “Since tomorrow’s the last day before we sail, what can I do to help you?”
He rubbed the back of his neck absently. “I have a checkup with Dr. Dominguez first thing in the morning. Afterward there’s a little business to be taken care of at the downtown office. How would you like to go with me?”
“I’d love it. The people at the hospital took such wonderful care of you. I want to thank them in person.”