“Why?” she asked softly, wiping her own eyes as the tears spilled.
“You have her eyes. Deep midnight-blue and sweet. I noticed them when Mike first introduced us to each other. I already knew I wanted you, but your eyes were the reason I asked you out the moment I met you. Now all I want is to wake up each morning to your beautiful face after sleeping cuddled up to you all night.” He squeezed her soft form to him gently as she blotted the tears from his cheeks with her tissue. “I’m sorry I never told you that I let Mike and Rosa use my place when they need some time alone.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you more.”
He shrugged. There was no reason for her to apologize. He’d had good intentions, trying to help out a friend. Sometimes good intentions backfired.
“The assumption you made was a pretty safe one, considering that’s my place and my bed next door,” he replied, chuckling. “No one could love me the way you do, angel. I’m ruined for all others. That bed belongs to you now, and Mike and Rosa will understand about needing to find another place to be alone.”
“Will you stay with me tonight?” she asked softly.
“Need a little distance from this bizarre situation?” He nuzzled her throat.
“Just a little.” She grinned as she tilted her head for his kiss.
“We’re having more company this Saturday.”
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“Oh, yeah?”
“Dad is driving in from San Antonio. He says he can’t wait to meet you.
I hope you don’t mind, but I told your mom, and she invited us all over for supper on Saturday night.”
“Oh, that will be fun. He and my dad will have plenty to talk about.”
She laughed.
“Government, taxes, and healthcare?”
“Once they get started, we’ll never get them to shut up. How did your dad cope all these years?” she asked.
“Well, we kept him pretty busy growing up, and there was always work.
He dated a few times, but he told me once that no one could hold a candle to my mom. I reckon there’s someone out there for him. They just have to find each other, I suppose.”
“Is he tall and handsome like you?”
“He’s tall like me, but I take after my mom in my coloring and features.
She had Native American blood in her. When I was little, I used to imagine him in a horned Viking helmet and wrapped in furs with long blond braids.
He cut his hair a long time ago, but he always reminded me of Thor from the Marvel comic books. You’ll have to judge for yourself whether or not he’s handsome. Maybe I should call Kelly and invite her down, too. They could stay over here if you wouldn’t mind staying with me.”
She chuckled. “I don’t know. You might have to twist my good arm, honey. Remember what the doctor told us?”
“I’m trying.” He shifted her on his lap and tried to make more room behind his zipper for the erection that was now pounding for release. “But having you in such close proximity makes it hard.”
She snickered. “I’ve noticed.”
Shaking his finger at her in mock threat, he said, “Back to what we were talking about. I’ll call Kelly and invite her and Matthew.”
While they talked, the doorbell rang. Grinning knowingly at her, Eli answered the door while she tried to hide her laughter.
Mike and Rosa were holding hands and looking rather rosy-cheeked themselves. “Hey! We were in the neighborhood and thought we’d stop in and say welcome home, Rachel,” Mike said as Rosa smiled gratefully at Eli and surreptitiously handed him his house key, which he slipped into the pocket of his denim workshirt. She hugged him then went to hug Rachel.
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“It’s good to see you back on your feet, Rachel. Mike and I were so worried about you. We can’t stay. We need to pick the kids up from school and check on my mother. We just wanted to say hello.”
They spoke for a couple more minutes and took their leave, and then Eli hustled Rachel back to bed, tucking her in with her laptop. “I’m going to run some errands. I’ll call Kelly and invite her for a few days and let Dad know that they can stay here. You rest and don’t write too long. Take a nap if you can, and I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“Why don’t we invite Grace and the guys? They know my mom and
dad pretty well now. Mom and Dad will say the more the merrier.”
“I think that’s a terrific idea. You call her and invite them. I’ll let Mike and Rogelio know, too.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and reached for her hand. “We had some scary moments in here earlier this afternoon. We’ll erase them and make new ones tonight.”