“While I have no doubts that you can, I’m certain Logan wants to check her vitals one last time.”
Crossing his arms against his chest, he cocked an eyebrow at his friend. Cliff stared down at Dylan. “And what’s your excuse?”
“Maybe I don’t trust you.” Dylan shrugged his shoulders as if that was a viable reason, as false as it may be.
“You and I both knew that isn’t the case.”
“Well, maybe I just want to make sure that she trusts you.”
Cliff found that more believable. Especially since Dylan, Logan, and Heath witnessed the connection he and Alexis had when she was brought into his shop. It was something that he couldn’t explain then or now.
Ignoring his friends, Cliff moved around the vehicle and opened the door on the passenger side, easily lifting Alexis into his arms. She tried to argue and squirm against his hold, but one steely glance in her direction ended her fight quickly.
As he maneuvered her across the porch and toward the entry, his mind traveled back to the past where he wanted to carry his wife over the threshold of their apartment after eloping. But she didn’t want any of that, she was determined to be his equal and not show an ounce of relenting toward him treating her like the prized treasure she was.
To Cliff, it felt surreal to create that moment with this particular woman – he had to remember that Alexis was nothing like his ex. Her stare penetrated the side of his face, the skin burned as if singed by fire. Her attention was that potent to him. He took a second to glance down at her, their eyes locking as he crossed the threshold leading to his home.
Time stood still as they lost themselves in the moment. It was only the two of them as the world drifted away. He wondered if she felt the significance of this moment.
The spell was broken as Logan’s hushed voice reached Cliff’s ears. “I feel like we’re encroaching on a special moment.”
“Shut up,” Dylan replied to him. A grunt quickly followed and Cliff assumed that Logan was at the receiving end of Dylan’s fist.
Continuing past the kitchen, Cliff walked into the small, but comfortable living room, depositing Alexis carefully on the couch. She winced as he settled her legs against the cushion, whispering an apology as he tucked a pillow under her head.
Lifting a finger in the direction of his friends, Cliff barked, “You have five minutes while I go make sure the bedroom is ready for her. And before you ask, I plan on sleeping on the couch. She will take the bed.”
With one final glance over his shoulder, Cliff watched as Logan approached Alexis, his medicine bag in hand. Down a narrow hallway, Cliff entered his bedroom. The space was small, just enough for a queen-sized mattress and a dresser, but that’s all he needed. He can see how cramped it may seem to a woman.
Ripping the sheets from his bed, he rolled them in his arms and tossed the ball of cotton on the floor, the stark white of the sheets was a deep contrast to the dark stain of the wood floors. Grabbing a clean set from a shelf in the closet, Cliff quickly made the bed and replaced the duvet.
Bending down, he lifted the balled-up sheets into his arms and headed back down the hallway, stopping first to make sure that his bathroom was tidy. Despite his razor and shaving cream on the counter, it was clean enough. Years overseas in the Army taught him to take pleasure in a clean space. He did his best to maintain it.
After throwing the laundry in the washer and starting a cycle, Cliff made his way back out to the living room where Logan was closing the latch on his bag.
“She’s going to need help changing the dressings on her shoulder and thigh. It’s going to take a few days before she can put more pressure on her leg. Little to no walking unless it is with the crutches I’m going to bring by tomorrow.” Cliff nodded, but Logan turned his attention back toward Alexis. “I mean it.”
“Fine,” she grumbled and Cliff smiled for the first time since she arrived at his shop. They both knew she’s going to do whatever she could to get moving around.
Cliff’s pocket began to vibrate and he fished his phone free finding a security alert at his cabin. But instead of a grimace, he smiled broadly at the group.
“It seems Mama Connelly couldn’t wait any longer. She’s pulling up as we speak.”
“She can’t see me like this!” Alexis fretted, her body moved as she tried to sit up, but then her face immediately turned white. Cliff imagined the blinding pain became too much.
“You look beautiful. Now, stay still,” he commanded, his smile returning as she settled back down against the cushions.
It was not long before a knock sounded on his front door and Dylan moved to answer for him. Amy Connelly was no threat and Cliff would much rather stay by Alexis’ side.
Rushing through the entry and right over to the couch, Mrs. Connelly knocked Cliff out of the way and kneeled beside Alexis, taking her hand. “Oh, you poor dear. I heard what happened and I was just so frightened for you. You must have been so scared.”
“I’m okay, Mrs. Connelly. I’ve been through worse,” Alexis tried to explain, but by Amy’s expression, she was having none of it.
“Now, don’t you go lying to me, young lady. It is not every day you get chased down by a drug cartel that happens to be run by your father.”
Everyone in the room grew quiet, the only sound Cliff could make out was that of his teeth grinding together. No one was supposed to know that Alexis was here.
“Amy. . .” Dylan began, but Mrs. Connelly quickly hushed him.