I leaned over her and kissed her forehead. “No. Nellie loves you and always will.”
Her brow cleared and her breathing slowed.
“Sweet dreams. Think about my hot ass.”
“’Kay.”
Lying down on the blanket next to her, I grinned. As I drifted off, Chaucer settled at our feet.
I awoke early the next morning. Katie was sound asleep, still cocooned in blankets. I took a moment to watch her sleep, to marvel at her soft, radiant skin, the light dusting of tiny freckles over her nose and cheeks. I’d forgotten she had freckles. Her hair was curling again, not as tightly as when she was younger, but she was looking more like herself now.
Her dark lashes fluttered sleepily, and then I was staring into her glassy green eyes. I watched emotions flit across her face, cataloging them. Confusion, fear, memory, confusion again, and, finally, exasperation.
“Why are you staring at me?” Her voice was early morning creaky.
“Because I can.”
“Stalker.” She closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
Checking my watch, I groaned and got up, my body stiff from the floor. Chaucer got up with me. I walked him to the back door. Opening it, I waved him out. “Go ahead.” Extraordinarily, he didn’t run right out the door. He stared at me, looked back toward the living room where Katie was sleeping, and then stared at me again. He didn’t want to leave me alone with her.
“Okay, I’ll step out, too.” I stood on the porch, in easy view, as he trotted out to a nearby bush and watered it.
“Chaucer, baby, where are you?”
We both heard Katie’s voice from inside. Chaucer finished, hopped up onto the porch and tried to push the door open with the top of his head. I reached over him and turned the knob.
“Chaucer?” Katie’s voice took on a hint of panic.
The dog hurtled through the kitchen and out of sight.
“Oh, there you are. You scared me.” Her voice was coming closer. “Were you trying to figure out how to open the pantry door again? It’s not going to happen, dude. No opposable thumbs. Make your peace with it.”
I was leaning against the sink, laughing, when they walked in.
Katie’s face went white at the sight of me, her eyes huge. She reached for Chaucer as she stepped back.
“It’s just me. I was going to make some coffee, if that’s okay.”
“Aiden?” She took a deep breath and let it out. “Holy crap. Knock before you come in!” Shaking her head, she continued, “I finally rid the house of varmints hell-bent on eating my face, and I get human intruders. Doorbells. They exist for a reason.” She checked the clock. “And why are you here so early?”
“I didn’t mean to scare you. Like I said, looking for coffee.” I watched her open the pantry door to fill Chaucer’s bowls. Perhaps it was better if she didn’t realize I’d stayed the night. She was so sleepy, I hadn’t asked. I’d just stayed.
“No coffee. Sorry. I have some lovely tap water I can offer you, though.” She reached up for a glass from a cupboard and handed it to me.
I accepted it, but then replaced it on the shelf where she’d taken it. “Actually, you do have coffee. I brought it last night.”
Her brow furrowed. “Last—oh! I have food! Holy crap, how did I forget that?” She opened the fridge and clapped in delight. “So long, peanut butter! I’m dumping your ass.” She took out a bottle of orange juice and placed it on the counter before retrieving that same glass again. She looked me up and down, the fear gone. “Can I interest you in the delicious and refreshing juice of an orange?”
“As I don’t see a coffeemaker in your kitchen, I’ll gladly settle for juice.”
She filled the glass in her hand and passed it to me before reaching for another. Once she’d poured herself one, she stared at it for a moment, took a sip, and closed her eyes in appreciation.
“Why do I feel like you’ve been in solitary confinement for ten years? Orange juice shouldn’t be this big of a deal.” I watched her slowly savor her drink, a corner of her mouth quirking up.
When she finished, she went to the sink and bodychecked me out of her way. I smiled, pleased she felt comfortable pushing me aside. She rinsed out her glass and then reached for mine.
“Solitary confinement.” She smiled. “I like that description.”
