She deflated in relief, and I relaxed, too, but grimaced as my ankle started to throb.
“I have the feeling he’s always been a funny guy?”
Ireland made a soft sound, something between a laugh and a huff. “Yes and no. He takes some getting used to, and with Alzheimer’s, it’s, well… difficult to tell. The line between joking and… everything else, I mean. But yeah, for the most part, he’s always had an… edge, I guess you could say.”
I took in her tired eyes. “You were amazing today. Truly. Mr. Sewell is lucky to have you.”
She slid her right hand across her chest to grip her left arm, subtly hugging herself, but then dropped it in frustration. “Can I…,” she started, but then stopped, pressing her lips together, brow furrowing as she looked at the floor.
I studied her for a moment, thinking of my earlier assessment of her when she first walked into this house, then took a gamble and placed the takeout bag back on the kitchen table.
Holding my breath, I held my arms out in invitation.
Within three heartbeats, which was no time at all considering how fast my heart was currently racing, she made her decision.
Careful of my booted foot, she stepped between my feet and wrapped her arms around my middle.
As if we’d done this a million times before, my arms went around her, pulling her in tight.
Taking what I hoped was a subtle inhale of her lavender scent, I rested my chin on top of her head. Could she hear my heart trying to jump out of my chest?
She fisted her hands in the back of my shirt, pulling it taut against my front, and I wasn’t even self-conscious about her feeling my body. This beautiful, tired woman had a name now, and she was getting the hug I’d prescribed her.
She needed this. And maybe I needed it too.
Because Pops had scared me today. I’d never seen him so low energy, so checked out, and it’d thrown me.
But then Ireland was there, and she just…fixedeverything.
I squeezed her in silent thanks, drawing a sigh from her as the tension in her body melted away.
She pressed the side of her face more firmly into my chest, and the urge to kiss the top of her head nearly overtook me.
Life had changed so much since the incident at the ravine, but holding Ireland like this was just as life-changing.
But… kissing a woman the same day I learned her name and moved in with her?
That felt like a step over the line, and I didn’t think even Cole’s rowdy spirit could push me to do it.
Instead, I pressed my cheek to the top of her head, settling for a light nuzzle. The stubble on my jaw rasped against her hair, and I bit back a sigh. Or a moan?
Who knew what would’ve come out of my mouth, really, becauseLordy, this felt good.
Ireland leaned against me even harder, and I held her close, smiling to myself.
“Is your light fading?” I asked quietly, thankful my voice came out a rumble instead of, well, anything else.
She nodded against my chest before pulling back and looking up at me almost hesitantly.Almostlike she was embarrassed of accepting this comfort.
Nope. That wasn’t going to be an option.
“Ireland,” I started with a whisper, smiling at her in a way that I hoped showed how much I didnotmind this. “How about you take your soup and crawl into bed. Not much better than eating in bed, is there?”
I swear stars shone in her eyes as she considered it, and that’s when I realized my hands were splayed against the small of her back and hers were still fisted in my shirt, resting on my hips. If we went on much longer like this, the default lines drawn between us as acquaintances, which was already skewed, would likely vanish.
I cleared my throat and slowly drew my hands away. “There are utensils in the bag.”
The doorbell sounded, and Ireland jumped away from me, releasing my shirt as she went.
