“Don’t you worry about how I got my information. I have my ways. The Lady Busy Bees have nothing on me, my dear boys. But you don’t have to worry, only people of importance will know.”
Dylan groaned loud enough to earn him a devilish glare from his mother-in-law. “Which means the entire town knows.”
Standing, Amy rested her hands on her hips looking exactly like a mother of six would as she prepared to scold one of her children. “Of course, they do. How else do you expect us to protect her? It wasn’t too long ago you needed our assistance, don’t forget what we’re capable of, young man.” Watching the fiery gaze in Amy’s eyes had Cliff realizing one particular thing. He wasn’t scared of much in this world, but being on the receiving end of Amy’s wrath sent trickles of fear down his spine. It was amazing.
Dylan quickly apologized, “Yes, ma’am. You’re right.”
Her expression quickly morphed back into that of a doting mother as Amy turned her gaze back toward Alexis. “Of course, I’m right. Women usually are. You’d think he’d have learned this by now. Maybe I need to have a talk with Sydney. Which reminds me, everyone will be meeting here tomorrow.”
Cliff looked around the small space wondering how everyone would fit, just as Amy added, “Don’t worry. It will be a lovely day tomorrow; we can all go outside if need be. And we’re all bringing a dish so if anyone happens to be on the bad side of things, they’ll think we’re just having a cookout and housewarming party.”
Cliff shook his head knowing that Mrs. Connelly would have come prepared with a grand scheme to fool anyone not on the up-and-up.
“Logan, dear, please put my bag in the kitchen. I brought soup for Alexis and the meatloaf special from Angie’s for Cliff.”
He wanted to kiss that woman. She brought his favorite meal.
“Thank you, Mrs. Connelly.”
“Of course. Now, I’ll be heading back home. I left Joseph burning some cardboard boxes in the backyard, and knowing the pyromaniac in him, I’m going to go home to half of the yard burnt to a crisp.”
Everyone, including Alexis, laughed at her joke. “At least as fire chief, he’ll be able to put it out quickly,” Alexis added.
“Very true. Good night all.”
Mrs. Connelly left just as quickly as she came. Dylan and Logan were not far behind, leaving Alexis and Cliff lingering in the living room alone for the first time since she arrived.
A quiet tension filled every empty space in the room. From across the space their eyes met, and Cliff held his breath, too afraid that their moment would be broken. Why had this woman affected him so? What kind of spell did she place on him all those years ago that left him craving her? He wanted an answer, needed one, but just the thought of her not being as affected by him left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“So. . .” Alexis whispered from her residence on the couch and Cliff immediately regretted staying silent for so long. He probably made her feel uncomfortable and that wasn’t something he ever wanted her to feel with him.
“Sorry. I can. . .ugh. . .heat up the food for you.”
A small smile slowly blossomed on her lips transforming her face and Cliff felt his heart jerk in response. He couldn’t help but think that he needed to get a better handle on his emotions around Alexis or his natural instincts to protect her would fall by the wayside.
“That sounds great. Thanks. And then, maybe you can help me figure out how to take a shower?”
Of course, she would want to get clean. He can’t even imagine the last time she had a chance to bathe. And after being hurt, Cliff imagined that she wanted all the dirt and grime off of her skin. But he only knew one way to help her do that without her hurting herself, he just hoped that he could control himself long enough to not cross any lines.
“Yeah, I can help you do that,” he told her as he walked into his galley-style kitchen, popping the glass bowl containing her soup in the microwave. It took just a few minutes, but he carried the container to the living room and placed it on the end table beside his sofa. With a soft touch and a few curses from Alexis, he helped move her into a sitting
position. A quick trip back into the kitchen to heat up his own meal, Cliff joined her on the couch and they ate in companionable silence. But in Cliff’s mind, images of a naked Alexis ran through his mind. Like before, he knew he couldn’t let his stare linger on her body. He was too much of a gentleman for that. He wanted to relish seeing her bare to him the first time if they ever get to a more intimate part of their relationship. And until her father was caught, Cliff needed to keep those plans to himself.
“Can you help me up?” a voice whispered beside him and Cliff startled. He had been lost in his thoughts and as his fork clinked against his plate, he realized that he had finished eating his meal without savoring a single bite.
Cliff gathered his plate and her bowl, walked briskly to the kitchen to deposit the items in the sink, then he hurried his way back to Alexis.
“Alright, up you go,” he explained as he leaned toward her, placing an arm behind her back and thighs, and easily lifted her in his hold. The corner of his mouth tilted upward as she released a small sigh.
Flipping the switch in the bathroom with his elbow, he bathed the space in light. White penny tiles lined the floor and met the white marble tile in the shower. A navy-blue vanity with more white marble stood across from him and he moved to deposit Alexis on the surface. She flinched as he set her down, but she didn’t complain.
“If you want, I can call one of the girls to come to help you bathe.” He hoped that she understood the other option of him assisting her in the shower. Cliff wanted Alexis to know that she always has a choice, he’d never make that decision for her. But she surprised him as her eyes narrowed and lips pursed, her good hand gripped the lip of the counter as if to break off a piece of the stone.
“I don’t want one of your women to wash me,” she said through clenched teeth and Cliff had never seen jealousy look so beautiful until that second.
He tried not to chuckle, but one escaped anyway. “I just meant that I could call one of the Connelly sisters to help. Harlan and Cassidy live just down the road.”
“Oh,” she blushed, a beautiful rose color rose on her tanned cheeks.