Divine Phoenix(Divine Creek Ranch 10)(13)

“What about my car?”

Her hands looked small as Clay cradled them in his big, capable hands, which he’d used to defend her just moments before. The way he stroked her palms was very distracting. “A friend is working on the body damage for me. He’ll also make sure that everything runs the way that it should.”

“No, Clay. I—I may not be able to afford all those repairs up front. All I need is for it to get me from point A to point B around town. My funds are very limited and I need to find a job, but first I have to recover from all of this, and my money—” Clay put up a hand to stop her in midsentence as she got more wound up.

“Shh, Lily. Stop. All you need to focus on is regaining your strength. Deciding your next move can wait a bit. I bartered with a man so you won’t be using any of your money. It sounds like it was a miracle you have any.”

“My dad helped me.”

“Well, whatever he gave you is safe where you put it. The repairs to your car are going to be basic, for now. Nothing fancy, just getting the car up to snuff so you have safe transportation.”

“But you had to barter with something.”

“You let me worry about that.” When she would’ve argued, he gently pressed a work-roughened fingertip against her lips. “You don’t need to worry about a job, either. I can use your help in the shop.”

Floored, Lily asked, “You mean in your jewelry shop? I don’t have any experience.”

“You said you took care of customers at the auto repair shop, right? I assume you chatted with people and made them feel welcome?”

“Well, sure. But—”

“It’s really the same thing. Just talking to people who come in, finding out what they need, and handling payments. All things you have experience with. Any skills that you lack, either Tabitha or I can teach you.”

Feeling decidedly grungy and not sure that she was what he needed for his nice jewelry shop, Lily replied, “I don’t know, Clay. I may be more work to train than you anticipate.”

“Then it’ll be on a trial basis. Until I tell you that you’re untrainable and unteachable, you work for me,” he said with a look of triumph on his face. “Where’s the feisty, spirited Lily who could never back down from a challenge?”

Well, crap! He had her there. She couldn’t very well turn him down now. The smile that crossed her face felt as unfamiliar to her as the short burst of laughter that followed it. “All right. Do you know when my car will be ready? Will I be able to go home after I get out of here?”

“Not right away. We can go see your house after you’re released, but you’re not supposed to stay alone while you’re healing. Your situation was pretty dire and you’re going to need some time to recuperate. For that reason, you’ll be staying in my spare bedroom—”

Lily gaped at him in surprise. “Clay, really! Come on! You’ve already done so much—”

Clay looked at her with wide, innocent green-gold eyes. “What? You don’t trust me? I’ll be a total gentleman.”

Is he flirting with me? “That’s not the issue and you know it. Clay, trust me when I tell you that I’ve functioned in far greater pain than this.”

Clay grew serious and replied, “Is that supposed to make me feel better? You need someone to look after you. It’s no trouble at all. You’ll be sharing the room with my elliptical trainer which doubles as a catchall for my ironing and other odds and ends. This is an easy solution to a difficult problem, Lily. If your house needs repairs, even minor ones, they’ll take time and energy you don’t have right now. Stop worrying about being an inconvenience and just give in. Remember how persistent I am?”

“Clay…”

“Come on…”

“Clay.”

“Stubborn as ever. Come on. I already put all your boxes and luggage in the room. Fresh sheets are on the bed. I even cleaned the tub and cleared out half of the medicine cabinet for you. Come home with me. We’ll have time to get all caught up. I missed you, Lily.”

Then Clay unfairly pulled the maneuver that had gotten him whatever he wanted when he was little. She couldn’t help but laugh a little as he pooched out his lower lip and gave her the soulful puppy dog eyes. She could tell by the look in his moss-green-and-gold-tinged eyes that he was sincere in wanting to help. Insisting on doing for herself against medical advice seemed almost rude as he gazed at her.

“You slay me with those eyes, Clay. All right. But I insist on working to pay for the window that got broken, and the other damage, and the cost of my car repairs.”