Page 4 of Key Of Dreams

“Bring those cookies over as well,” Gertie says. I jump to do it, then take a seat in my chair while Gertie and Kailyn settle on the sofa. “We’ll keep you company for a spell.”

I give her a warm smile. “I’d like that.”

“Gertie tells me you’re out here all alone,” Kailyn says.

“Yeah. My mother almost had a fit, but I really needed to find my own way. She’s already put her foot down that I have to make it home for Christmas.”

“My parents are the same.” Kailyn giggles. “But Mason’s mom wants us to visit with her. Since we don’t want to hurt either of them, we’re hosting.”

“Mason’s her fiancé, lovie,” Gertie adds. “You’ll meet him soon, I’m sure. He’s also one of Bull’s best friends, you know.”

It’s ridiculous, but at the mention of Bull’s name, I get butterflies in my belly. I feel like Gertie and Kailyn are waiting for me to say something. “He was very kind to help me out last night. I’m not sure what I would have done if he hadn’t come to my rescue. I have to repay him for getting me a new key next time I see him.”

Both women burst out laughing. Gertie sputters, “That’s priceless.” Still chuckling, she glances at Kailyn. “Isn’t she precious?”

Wondering what I said that was so funny, I look at Kailyn and shrug.

“You’ll soon find out that the Storm men are decent people who would be insulted if anyone tried to pay them back for a key,” Kailyn replies.

“Oh,” I murmur. I’ll bake him some raspberry chocolate squares anyway. Mind you, I see that his body doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him, so he may not want them. “Does he like sweets?” I ask curiously.

“Loves them!” Kailyn says. “Although you wouldn’t know it. He’s like Mason and works out hard every day. Mason says it’s so that he can indulge. By the way, Mason lives down the hall from us. We plan on moving in together, but we’re waiting for the corner apartment to be available. That unit has two bedrooms and a small den. It’ll be perfect for us. The couple who are there now are moving out next month. They’re having a baby and bought a home of their own.”

“That’s exciting. Moving in together, I mean.” There’s a knock on the door. It’s the handyman, come to fix the water. As he works on the water, Kailyn tells me all about Mason and the men who she and Mason work with at Storm.

Ex-military brothers, she calls them. All of them were part of special ops. That says something about these men. They’ve been in dangerous situations, and based on what Kailyn tells me, they still put themselves in danger with the security details and assignments they take on.

“Is that how you two met?” I ask Kailyn. I love hearing how two people met and fell in love.

“My husband, Cory, was in the same unit as Mason and the others. Cory never made it home. I was devastated when he died. I never thought I could love another man again. But there was always something about Mason. He made me feel safe. We both fought what we felt for each other for a long time, until one day, we couldn’t ignore it,” Kailyn says. “It’s caused some tension between the guys, but they all finally got on board.”

“I’m so sorry to hear about Cory. It’s hard to lose someone you love. I miss my pa every day. But wouldn’t they want you to be happy?”

“Cory was loved by all. Rebel, Bull, and Wire thought it was disrespectful to his memory, at first. And it was hard for them to get used to. But they saw how happy Mason makes me. Honestly, Mason and I both felt a lot of guilt for falling in love, and we needed to work through that before we got to where we are now,” she tells me.

“I’m glad you and Mason got through the rough patch.”

“Well, Gertie and I have decided to have a welcome-to-the-building get-together. It’s this Saturday at my place,” Kailyn announces.

I look over at Gertie, then back to Kailyn. “You don’t have to do that,” I say. “That’s too much trouble.”

“Already done, lovie,” Gertie responds. “Besides, those boys are looking forward to good eats and great company. I invited a few of our other neighbors too. Everyone’s excited to meet you.”

I’m not much for parties. I didn’t even want to go to prom, but my parents were unrelenting until I agreed to go. I had a good enough time, but all through the evening, I kept thinking about how much nicer it would have been to be lying in my bed, under the covers, reading a book or watching a movie.

Gertie seems so happy to be doing this for me, though, and she was so sweet to take me in last night and get my water sorted out this morning that I can’t refuse.

“Sounds like fun.” I hope I sound more enthusiastic than I feel.

“Wonderful. That’s all settled.” She clasps her hands together. “Pass me another cookie, Kailyn.”

Kailyn passes her the plate, and Gertie doesn’t take just one or two. She takes three.

“Gertie!” Kailyn says in a warning voice. “You have a doctor’s appointment next week.”

“I’ll be good tomorrow,” Gertie says, waving her off. Kailyn rolls her eyes and smiles at me.

The ladies stay until the handyman leaves and make sure to have me check I have hot water before they move on with their day. It’s a good thing I keep busy throughout the day. It stops me from thinking about socializing with a roomful of people I don’t know.

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