Part 1: No Regrets(Divine Creek Ranch 2)(17)
“I need to call my pharmacy, anyway, because my birth control pills were in my medicine cabinet in the apartment. I’ll need to replace them as soon as possible this morning.”
“All right. Why don’t you call and leave a message and that can be our first stop. I’m gonna to take my shower, and then I’ll make you some breakfast.” He dropped a tender kiss on her lips as he climbed naked from the bed. She ogled his ass as he got up, and he chuckled when he caught her at it. It was so hard she bet she could bounce a quarter off it, and some primitive part of her wanted to take a bite of it. Her cheeks felt like they were flaming as she picked up his phone and dialed her dad’s cell phone number.
Her parents were on their annual camping trip in Big Bend National Park. They always went by themselves, packing only the basics.
“Dad? Hi, it’s me.”
“Hi, princess. Are you all right? Mike told us what happened to your apartment.”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“He told me everything he knew. It’s hard for this dad to not be there when you need me. Do you have your emergency fund built up?”
“You taught me well, Dad. One thousand dollars plus about four
months’ worth of expenses in the bank, easy to get to. I’ll file my renter’s insurance claim later today.”
“Good. Do you need to come home until you can find another place to live?”
Her Gentle Giant, Part 1: No Regrets
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“No, I already have my eye on a place. It’s quieter and in a safer neighborhood.”
“Where are you staying until you can find out if it’s available?”
“With Eli Wolf. He lives in a duplex, and the other half is vacant. I’m going to talk to the landlord today to see about getting into it.” She listened to the long pause on the line as her father decided what to say next.
“Are you thinking about moving in with him?”
“No, Dad. Eli brought me home with him because it was the logical choice at the time. It was three in the morning when Mike called him, and he was there in less than five minutes. He had room for my stuff, and he knew he had a vacancy next door. It made sense to stay with him. He has been very thoughtful and considerate.”
“We raised you right, princess. I trust you to do what’s best for you, but I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“Do you have feelings for Mr. Wolf?”
“Yes, Dad, I do. I have for a while now. He’s a good man.”
“I know. It’s just hard seeing you as a grownup, making your own choices. I want to hold on to my baby girl. Be careful and take things slow.”
“I promise. Dad? I’m always going to be your little girl.”
“I know, princess, and I love you. Do you need for us to come home?”
“No. I think everything is going to be all right.”
“All right, then we should be home on Wednesday night. Were you
able to get much out of your apartment before you left?”
“I threw a bunch of things in garbage bags, plus my box of important papers. But, Dad, my hope chest and Grandma’s tablecloth were in my bedroom.”
“Will they let you go back to salvage?”
“I don’t know.”
“Have Eli check with the fire department. They’re probably
investigating the fire right now, but they may let you go in unless the structure is unstable. I’ll look into it, too, when we get back.”
“All right. I love you, Dad. Can I talk to Mom?”
“Love you, too. Here she is.”
Her mom’s dulcet voice came on the line. “Hi, baby. You okay?”
“I’m okay. I haven’t slept much, but otherwise I’m fine.”
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Heather Rainier
“So…you’re staying with Eli Wolf?” Rachel smiled at the happy
curiosity in her mother’s tone.
“Yes, Mom. Temporarily. He said not to worry. He’d watch out for me and keep me safe.”
“You have feelings for him, don’t you?”
“Yes, Mom, I do. I fought them for a while because of his line of work.
But he’s kind to me and thoughtful. He was there for me last night when everything went up in flames, and he slept on the couch last night and let me have his bed. He says I’m perfect, Mom. How can I fight that?” she asked as she fought the lump in her throat.
Her mom’s voice cut to a conspiratorial whisper. “I say why try? It sounds to me like he may be in love with you. You sound like you’re in love.
Don’t tell your father I told you, but he said he approved of Eli. He thinks he needs a haircut, but otherwise he seems to have a made a good impression on your father. Long hair, huh?”