“Dad, listen. It’s okay. I’m staying with Clay Cook. I’m fine. The house needs a lot done before I can live in it, but I’m going to make it work. I’ll be just fine.” She wasn’t just saying the words, either. This morning she believed anything was possible. “I got out of the hospital yesterday and I already have a job, too.”
“You do? Wow! I knew you could do anything if you just got away from that no-good bastard. JT’s mother had the gall to call me to commiserate.” Lily rolled her eyes wondering how the call from the widow King had gone. She could envision her dad’s full-body shudder at the thought.
“He came to the hospital, the same morning that I talked to you.”
“That son of a bitch!”
“I never even saw him, Dad. He got rowdy with the sheriff and one of his deputies. I think he went to jail for it. I don’t know if he’s still here or not.”
“He’s home. I saw him in town. He had some floozy in the truck with him, too. You’re lucky to be done with him, baby girl.”
At the gentle tap on her shoulder she looked up at Clay. He held out a glass of water and two pain pills. He stood there and waited for her to take them then hand the glass back to him. She mouthed “thank you,” and he grinned and sauntered back to the door.
She was distracted from what her father was saying as she watched him walk away. Dressed in faded jeans, a plain white T-shirt, and tan cowboy boots, he was a handsome sight. Clay Cook had grown up quite nicely. Her nipples hardened and her cheeks went up in flames when she realized he was watching her ogle his ass. He gave her that crooked grin and went inside.
Girl, get a grip. He’s so out of your league. He’s just being your friend.
Her strong friend, evidenced by the fact that he’d carried her to bed the previous night, despite her protests earlier that day that she was much, much too heavy for him to lift. She’d awakened utterly embarrassed but thankful at least that she was still dressed in the clothes she’d fallen asleep in. Not that Clay would’ve done anything as ungentlemanly as undress her for bed.
Darn it. Get real, girl. Don’t forget the tattoo. You’re off limits. Period.
“Darlin’? You still there?”
“Oh, yeah, Dad. Sorry. I—uh, got distracted. What were you saying?”
“Just that you shouldn’t worry. I’m sure it’ll all work out soon enough with the house. I’m glad to hear that you’ve got a place to stay. Where’s your job at?”
“Clay has a position open at his shop. He’s a jewelry craftsman.”
“Clay Cook, huh? Stayin’ with him and workin’ for him? I always thought those boys were a little sweet on you.” Lily rolled her eyes at the knowing tone of his deep drawl.
The heat flamed in her cheeks again, and she covered her eyes with her hand as she said, “Dad! It’s not like that. Clay met JT up close and personal the other day. He understands and he just wants to help me. There’s nothing going on between us.”
“Well, I don’t imagine there is with you still recovering from surgery. But you’ll eventually get over what JT did to you, and you’ll move on. I’m sorry we didn’t stay more in touch with the Cooks. They were good people. You could do a whole lot worse.”
“Dad, the last thing I want or need is another relationship. I think I’m through with men, dating and all that stuff. It was bad with JT, so bad sometimes I feel…dead inside.”
“Aw, darlin’, don’t say that. There’s always hope. Plus, I need grandchildren.”
Oh, Lord! Kill me now! “Dad!”
* * * *
Clay sipped his coffee, smiling when he caught a snippet of her conversation as he sat reading the paper at the kitchen table. Hearing her say she felt dead inside wasn’t good, but he thought how much he’d like the opportunity to resuscitate her. Time was his friend.
Feelings for her were stirring inside him. Without a doubt his protective instincts were revved to life, but he was also having a hard time keeping his eyes and his thoughts off of her as a woman. He’d reacted to her heated gaze just a few minutes before and wondered what was going on in her head, too. She needed time to heal, but if she kept giving him looks like that, he’d have a hard time reining in his inner horndog. Working with her was also going to present a challenge to his rampant libido.
The cool breeze blowing through the screen door ruffled through the notepad lying on the table. He glanced at the list she’d started while eating breakfast.
Find a divorce lawyer. Talk to a contractor. Make appointment with doctor. Go to work.