Divine Phoenix(Divine Creek Ranch 10)(47)

His heart went out to her, and he wished he could go to her, tell her it was all right and that he’d help however she needed him to. But he couldn’t do that. Her budding self-esteem and confidence were worth more to him than that. He allowed her to keep her pride in place. He listened to the sounds as she searched the covers for her pajamas.

She wandered down the hall and peeked out at him, and the warm smile he gave her came straight from his heart, but he disciplined himself to stay in his chair. Make it easier for her. But he hoped for her to reach out for him. She seemed almost cautious when she came to the table and perched in a chair.

“Someone overslept a bit. I’m glad you were able to make up for the sleep you lost last night. How do you feel?” He posed the question tenderly so she would understand his deeper meaning.

She bit her delectable lower lip, then licked it and replied, “About that…” Clay’s heart ached when her lip trembled a little, but he sucked it up as she continued, “Thank you for being there for me. Um. Clay. I—”

It was nearly too hard to casually reach out and pat her hand. “I understand, Lily. It was a scary moment. It led to greater intimacy between us than you may be ready for. Believe me when I say I’d still be there for you again. We’ll treat it casually, for now.”

Lily swallowed loudly and nodded but didn’t seem relieved by his words. She almost seemed disappointed as she got up from the table and reached for a mug from the cupboard by the coffeemaker.

Two hours later, Clay was sitting at his workbench when Lily came in through the back door. “I finished my to-do list. Everyone I needed to call has been called.”

“Including the counselor?” Clay asked neutrally.

Lily nodded, causing her thick, dark curls to bob on her shoulders. “I set up an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. She had a cancellation and could fit me in.”

“Good.”

Tabitha pushed open the doors leading out to the showroom and said, “Lily, could I have your help please?”

“Sure, I’ll be right there,” Lily replied as she removed her coat and scarf and put her purse up.

Tabitha’s tone had hinted at her attitude, and Clay glanced at the security monitor as she returned to the showroom. Grace Warner entered the front door and made her way to the row of cases at the rear of the shop, the area they’d designated for local pickups of Internet orders. Tabitha never acknowledged her and kept her back to her the entire time. She must’ve seen Grace approaching the store and had “paged” Lily to handle her.

Clay laid the fine needle-nose pliers he’d been manipulating the silver wire with on the workbench. “Damn it, Tabitha.”

Lily stood beside him and looked at the monitor as he pointed at it and began to rise from his stool. She laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. Her touch was gentle and sure as she said, “Don’t get up. I’ll help Grace. This is the reason you have me, right?”

Clay smiled at Lily as she squeezed his shoulder and strode to the doors, humming “Mr. Know It All.” He’d observed that Lily got on well with all the customers and couldn’t understand why Tabitha treated Grace and a few select others like that.

He watched as Grace’s demeanor changed when she saw Lily. Grinning, he recalled her early assertion that Grace must be crazy for taking on three men. They’d gotten to be good friends over the past few weeks, which seemed to bug Tabitha to no end. Clay could’ve told her that Lily wasn’t just going to fall into goose step with her on all her issues.

Something caught his eye, and he noticed Lily rubbing her right knee and her shin. Grace must’ve asked about it because Lily waved her hand dismissively and stopped rubbing. She went behind the counter and produced the box containing the items Grace had ordered. Clay grinned, imagining her men’s expressions the first time they wore those for her all together and thought the woman could sell ice to Eskimos. Lily had that in common with her.



* * * *



“Grace, I was wondering if you’d give me a referral,” Lily said as she opened the box and discreetly showed Grace the three custom-sized silver cock rings she’d ordered.

Her blonde friend smiled as she admired each ring with a naughty grin. “Sure. What do you need?”

Lily laid a hand on the abundant mass of her long, thick brown hair. “I need to get my hair cut off and bet you know a good stylist. I also wondered if you’ve heard anything good about the new tattoo artist who’s moved into town.”

Because that may be the better option for me. Just have to see how Clay feels about tattoos.

Grace grinned like a Cheshire cat. “You’re making all kinds of changes, aren’t you?”