The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing #4)(35)

They had a quick shower together and dressed again for dinner. He finally had a chance to appreciate her pretty underwear, black lace and brief enough for him to floss with. He had a vision of slowly removing it and the vision made him so happy.

They had just made it as far as the kitchen when his phone rang. Sean reporting in. Rob was just explaining what was in the refrigerator for him when Leigh tapped his shoulder and said, “There’s plenty of this chicken thing if he’s interested.” When he gave her a pointed look, she just shrugged and said, “Helen will be home before too long, anyway.”

“You sure about what you just did?” Rob asked her while they waited for Sean to walk over and join them.

“We’re not making love anymore tonight, Rob. At least not with an audience. The big question is, are you all right letting your son see you with the town doctor?”

“I told them who I’d be out with,” he said. “They were on to me before I officially asked you out.”

So, Sean came to dinner. He thought her chicken thing was awesome, winning her over completely. Before dishes were cleaned up, Helen came home. They were a chatty little foursome for about a half hour before Helen excused herself to go to her room and read.

Rob told Sean to go wait in the car for him while he said good night to Leigh. He had a lot on his mind with no idea how to drain all the thoughts into his mouth. So he kissed her. “I’m sorry, I’m a little out of practice.”

“I’d argue that,” she said.

“I remember sex,” he said.

“Very well, I think...”

“The words,” he clarified. “Saying the right things, that’s harder. I don’t want to scare you off but I want to tell you how much it meant to me. It wasn’t what it usually is. But I’m not driving this race car. You’re in charge.”

“Afraid I’ll have high expectations?” she asked him with a smile.

“I’m not afraid,” he said. “We had that conversation. We’ve both had sad experiences. We’re not in a hurry.”

“Anymore.” She laughed. “For a while there I was in an embarrassing hurry.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. I think that was my favorite part.”

“Just sleep well tonight,” she said. “We’re adults and that was some real adult fun. I loved my evening with you. Want to know the best part? Sean liked my chicken thing. I’m not much of a cook.”

He grinned at her. “It’s a good chicken thing. And it was sweet of you to feed him. He eats about seven meals a day.” He kissed her. “Thank you for tonight. For all of tonight. I can’t wait to see you again.”

“Tomorrow morning,” she said. “When you come to the urgent care and let me draw some blood. I’m sure you’ll pass with flying colors.”

“I’m not worried,” he said.

“Good. You’ll get a piece of candy if you get through it without passing out.”

“Or one of those nifty head rubs?”

“If you’re good.” She gave him a quick kiss. “Call for an appointment. Tell Eleanor I’m checking your cholesterol. The real truth will be ours.”







Let the man who does not wish to be idle
fall in love!

—Ovid



8


SULLY COULDN’T REMEMBER a slower day than the Monday after he’d had dinner with Helen. He tried to stay busy but every chore he tackled was over with so quickly that by afternoon he was exhausted and feeling his age. That didn’t sit well with him just now. Of course, he’d been up late, reading. Now, that was a new thing.

He had immediately picked up that book she left with him but not because he was interested in the subject. He thought he might get to know her a little better by reading her book. And he certainly did! This funny and classy lady could really toss around the f-word with ease. And she could describe a murdered corpse without much restraint or caution.

It didn’t take him long to start wondering what was going to happen. He brought the book over to the store with him but he kept it out of sight. He took the time to make sure his nails were trimmed and clean; he rubbed some of Enid’s hand lotion into his hands. Several times. He went over to the house just before noon and ran the vacuum around and wiped off the furniture. Helen had left the kitchen cleaner than she found it and he made a silent resolution to do better about that. He gave the bathroom a good cleaning. He made a mental note to do a little new grouting.

He kept looking down the road.

In the early afternoon, Maggie showed up. “I thought I’d see if you needed any help—maybe around the garden.”

“I think she’s shipshape,” he said. “Where’s my granddaughter?”

“Elizabeth is taking a nap while Cal works. I can check the mail room and see what shelves need to be stocked.”

“I think I’m on top of it, Maggie,” he said. “You can check around.”

“I think I’m the only help you have these days,” she said. “Everyone’s so busy. What’s that nice smell?”

He sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anything.”

She sniffed closer to him. “I think it’s coming from you. Did you use bubble bath today?”