Backing away and leaving wasn’t an option. This was his one
chance. “I broke down last night on my way here. Between Ashburn
and Wilton. I had to walk back to Ashburn for a mechanic, in the rain.
I had to walk through some low-water crossings. The water must have
been full of that stuff they spread on the fields out here. I know I stink
to high heaven. I must look like a drowned rat. I’ve been trying to call
you since I got back on the road this afternoon. It took that long to get
my truck’s generator replaced.”
A light came on next door, and the front door opened. A man
poked his head out and called to her, “You okay, honey?”
She turned to the neighbor and waved in a friendly fashion. “I’m
fine, Bill. This is someone from Divine. Thanks again for supper.”
The man nodded and frowned at Ash before going back inside.
Another light came on, on the other side. He was grateful that she had
people looking out for her.
She beckoned to him as she waved at that neighbor, too. “Come
on inside before someone thinks I’m being accosted by a transient.
But leave your damn boots on the porch. Don’t say a word. I’m not
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219
ready to listen. Your clothes are as bad as your boots. Come with
me.”
He followed her through the house to a bathroom down the hall.
Ashes meowed to him in friendly fashion as he passed the kitchen.
“There are towels in the linen closet. Put all your clothes on the
floor in the hallway here. I’ll wash them for you because that cannot
possibly be healthy to be wearing something that smells that bad.
You’re about the same size as my uncle, Charlie. I’ll put a change of
clothes on the counter for you. Take a shower and then we’ll talk.”
Her eyes flashed blue fire at him as she glowered and poked his
chest again. “And don’t for one second think you are even close to
being off the hook, you sorry bastard. Just because I’m willing to
wash your clothes doesn’t mean I give a damn what you have to say,
only that I’ll let you say it, and then you can drive your ass right back
to Divine.”
He nodded and watched her shut the door, before unbuttoning his
shirt. He allowed the smile to form on his lips once she was gone.
Damn, but he loved her fiery spirit. His granite-hard cock agreed,
judging by its long attention span. She was willing to hear him out.
He’d explain, and Juliana would realize the misunderstanding. Then
he’d throw himself upon her mercy.
He placed the clothes in a semi-damp pile on the floor in the
hallway and groaned gratefully as he stepped into the steaming hot
shower, leaving the bathroom door open for her.
When he was finished, he toweled off and found a terry cloth
bathrobe lying on the counter. He slipped it on and ran his fingers
through his hair to make it neat.
When he came into the living room, he heard noises in the
kitchen. On silent feet, he approached across the tile floor.
“Meow.”
“I know, but I can’t take in a stray. You wouldn’t like it, anyway.
You’d have to stay cooped up all day. I’d have to get you fixed, and
you’d wind up miserable. Here you have freedom. At least until
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Heather Rainier
someone takes you to the pound.” Ash frowned as he heard her small
sob. His brows drew together, and his heart lurched a little at the
sound.
“Meow.”
“No, Ashes. You’d wind up hating me for taking away your
freedom. That’s what it all comes down to. You’re better off here. At
my house, there’s no one cleaning fish for you to scavenge from, like
there is here.”
“I’ll take him home with me, darlin’, if you want me to.”
Ash realized he’d startled her when she shifted against the cabinet
and plopped hard on her ass, wincing when she hit bottom.
He hurried to her and squatted down to help her. “Darlin’, let me
help you up.”
Her eyes rose to his and then traveled down his chest and below.
She turned beet red and slid back from him. She literally hissed at him
and pushed against his chest. “Don’t you call me darlin’. Just don’t.
I’m not your darlin’, you asshole. You go over there and sit down.
Go. Then you can say anything you need to say to me.” Her chin
trembled and tears overflowed her eyes, which seemed to make her
even angrier. She had a lot of pride and didn’t want him to see her
cry. She snatched the box of Kleenex he located and handed to her,
and then he did as she asked. He drew the too-small robe closed as
best as he could.
“I’ve had some dumb moments in my life. Real dumb. But