She didn’t hear anyone downstairs, so she took the stairs up to the second story. What appeared to be bedroom doors lined both sides of the long upstairs hallway, seven doors in all. The first two on the left were probably guest rooms because they didn’t look lived in. Behind the next door was a large bathroom.
Across the hall were two larger bedrooms which Lydia guessed belonged to Chance and Clayton. Both rooms were relatively neat but lived in. They also looked more comfortable. She didn’t intrude very far into their spaces but noted that there was an adjoining bathroom between their rooms.
At the end of the hallway to the left of the last door was a flight of stairs that led back down to the kitchen, by the pantry. She peeked in the last door and realized she hadn’t heard either of the men. She assumed they’d gone down the back stairs as she’d gone up the front stairs.
Stepping into the last room, she did a double take. Her three boxes, all she owned in the world besides Gunther, were lined up neatly on the end of the king-size bed. The large suite of rooms was neat and tidy and smelled of furniture polish and the odor of lemon-scented cleaning supplies.
The room had been freshly cleaned this morning and obviously made ready for a new occupant, but they’d given her the master suite. She walked across the plush area rug into the bathroom and practically swooned at the sight of the large whirlpool tub and separate shower. There were two vanities and two separate walk-in closets.
“Oh, my goodness.”
“Do you like it?”
The voice was close behind her, and Lydia embarrassed herself by screaming in fright. Clayton gently squeezed her shoulders and apologized. “I’m sorry, Lydia. I thought you heard me walk in. Are you okay?” His hands felt strong and steady at her upper arms, and she let him pull her to him for a hug. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
His chest was a hard, unyielding wall of muscle, but his words were kind as he patted her back and then released her.
“I’m sorry I’m so jumpy. I thought I was alone. Clayton, can I ask a question?”
“Sure.”
“Why are my things in the master suite?”
“So that you’d have your own adjoining bathroom and plenty of space. Chance said you were used to living in cramped quarters, so we thought we’d let you have the master suite.”
“That’s really thoughtful of you but I wouldn’t have minded being put in one of the smaller bedrooms. It doesn’t seem right.”
“What doesn’t seem right? Wanting you to be as comfortable as you can be? I don’t want you in one of the smaller rooms, Lydia. This room and that bedroom are right where you should be. I got you some help from the local employment agency. She’ll be helping you around here, doing whatever you need done.”
“Chance told me you would get someone to help me. Thank you.” She relished the challenge the house presented, but an extra pair of hands would probably be a good idea. She didn’t want them to think she was greedy. “I hope it wasn’t a bother to do that.”
Clayton shrugged nonchalantly. “This is a pretty big house. We’re not that messy, but if you’re going to be feeding a big crowd of men on certain days you’re going to need some help.”
After working at the café, she knew she could handle just about anything thrown her way. She reminded herself that she was no longer in survival mode and should take the help that was being offered to her.
“Okay. I’m grateful, Clayton. Thank you for this, too.” She gestured to the bedroom. “Did you move out of here this morning and clean it so thoroughly?”
Clayton nodded. “I couldn’t leave my whiskers in the sink, now could I? It was no big deal.” Both rooms were immaculate, and to her it was a big deal.
Hearing a noise out front, she went to the bedroom window and drew back the white lace curtains, catching sight of Chance’s dually as it pulled away with the U-Haul hooked behind it. Gunther wasn’t parked in front of the house.
Clayton stepped up behind her and said, “Chance is taking the U-Haul to the rental place in Divine after he drops your car off at the local mechanic. He’s a good friend and a reputable businessman. He can tell us for certain what is wrong with your car and fix it if that’s what you want done.”
“I hope he can fix it.” For a long time that car had been her only link to freedom, and it made her a wee bit nervous to watch it go.
“You’re pretty attached to your car, aren’t you?”
“I know it’s silly, but yeah. I am.”
She turned to face him with the window at her back, and he didn’t back away.