Page 40 of Blessings in Disguise

“Not from you, Caleb.”

“No, not from me.”

Harlan came back wearing pajama bottoms and a t-shirt with the Pathways logo on the front. Caleb drew back the covers. Soon he was situated under the blankets. The air conditioner was on and it was cool in here.

Caleb reached over and turned off the lamp on the nightstand.

“Goodnight you guys.”

“Goodnight.” This from Caleb. “I’m staying until you fall asleep.”

Gemma added, “Me, too.”

“Ain’t that something? Nobody ever tucked me in before.”

Again, Gemma’s heart hurt for him.

Soon, the sound of his rhythmic breathing filled the air.

They got up then and Caleb waited for her at the door. He took her hand and they walked downstairs together.

Once seated on the couch, Caleb put his arm around Gemma and drew her close. She nuzzled into him.

Before they could talk, she closed her eyes. Sleep came.

* * *

He was dreaming about Gemma. He could feel her body close to his. Coming fully awake, he said, “Oh!” It wasn’t completely a dream. He and Gemma lay stretched out on the couch, her face nestled in his chest. He pulled up the fleece throw and kissed her head. Despite the fact that he was aroused, he luxuriated in holding her.

Soon, she awoke. “Oh!”

His fingers grazed her bare arms. “Yeah, I didn’t remember either.”

She lay back into his chest. The scent of lavender from her shampoo filled his nostrils. “How’d we get here?”

“We were both exhausted. We sat down and you conked out. I could have gone up to my room, but…” he shrugged “I couldn’t resist sleeping with you next to me.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. Is Harlan up?”

“No. It’s only seven. I checked on him twice last night and he was sound asleep. But even if he was awake, he’d be okay with this.”

“I hope so.” She touched her hair. “I probably look frightful.”

“You looked mussed.” A smug male grin. “Like you do after sex.”

She glanced down. She’d gone home and changed into summer khaki pants, a T-shirt. Her sweater was on the arm of the chair.

“Let’s sit up.” He swung his feet to the floor. He wore wrinkled suit pants and the white dress shirt he’d had on at the graduation.

She righted herself. “You can go shower.”

“I can’t do anything before coffee. I’ll go make some. Why don’t you go take a peek at Harlan this morning.”

As she climbed the stairs, he went to the kitchen and made coffee. Once it brewed, the bitter-sweet scent filled the air. Back in the living room, he saw her come down to the first floor. “He’s still sound asleep.”

“He needs it.”

They made chitchat while the pot brewed, then he fetched them two mugs, filled them and brought them to the couch. She sipped the strong brew. “You remembered the sugar.”

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