Page 19 of Tommy

“It’s just a phrase,” he laughed. “Some of my friends don’t even know I’m out of state.”

“Well, as long as all parties know that the ranch isn’t open for business, and that you’re safe, albeit a little bruises, then it’ll be A-ok with me.”

From what had been an idea of him going back to his cabin, turned into a question of the amenities at the main house, and me inviting him to take his bath there since I knew we had both bubble bath and rubber duckies around. I didn’t know what it was about him that caught me in a spiral of spending more time together. I should’ve been avoiding him and reading my books, but I needed my own slice of what those books offered.

We finished off in the barn, an earlier stop to milk the goats and spread out some feed for the animals because securing them inside for the evening. Tommy whined about his thighs until we were back at the house where he threw himself on the large sofa and laid there.

“I don’t think I can move,” he said.

“You’re gonna have to take your boots off,” I told him. “Otherwise, you’re gonna be heading off back to your cabin for the evening.”

His playful eyes connected with mine, sassy remarks and comments formulating behind them. “What are you making for dinner?”

I snapped my fingers at him. “Boots off.”

Trying to heave himself forward, he groaned again, louder, almost rolling off the edge of the sofa. “If you haven’t already realized, my legs have had quite the journey. I’m not sure I’ll ever walk again.”

“Don’t wish such awful things upon me,” I said, removing my hat and placing it on the hook by the door.

“On you? What about me?”

“No, you’re right. I’d send you to live with June until your flight home.” I knew his game, being playful back with him. “I’m sure she won’t mind driving up to collect you. But again, she also has a no boots on in the house policy.” I’d never been to her house, but I assumed as much.

Tommy had gotten himself in a state of exhaustion, unable to lean forward because of the coat, and unable to stand because of his thighs. He pouted and looked at me, and I fell right for it.

Since I was out of my coat and boots, I did the decent thing and dipped to a knee in front of him where I untied his boots. “Don’t get used to it,” I said.

“You’re a lifesaver,” he said.

I know I’d told him not to get used to him, but I’d tied his shoes twice already, and now, I was untying them. He might’ve argued I’d tied them on too tight, and it would’ve been a fair call. “You’re gonna have to go to the bathroom and see how your legs are doing under those layers,” I told him. “Assuming you can stand. Please, for any higher power you believe in that your legs still work.”

He stood on shaky legs, giving himself the upright leverage to take off his coat. “I still want to use your phone.”

“After you’ve seen to your legs,” I told him.

Leading Tommy to the bathroom, he gasped at every corner we turned in the house. It was a thing of beauty to behold, and I’d been around to help build it too. It was a compliment from him, without him directly knowing.

“I might have to only take baths here,” he said.

It was a very modern bathroom, a parallel to the rustic house style. Glass and silver and white tile with gold accented fixtures.

“Again, a one-time deal,” I said. Just like that one-time deal for dinner, then lunch, now the bath. I guess one-time deal didn’t have the same meaning anymore.

9. TOMMY

It wasn’t at all what I was expecting from the house. I thought it was all going to be just like the cabin I was staying in, but there was definitely more technology in here. And not the type supported by a weak generator either, not that I knew much about generators, but considering the bathroom light was bright here and the cabin lights had dull orange glows that brightened after fifteen minutes.

“Once you’ve finished checking yourself in there, let me know and I’ll show you were all the stuff is for the bath,” Hardin called out to me.

I’d almost forgot the reason I came in here. I was far too distracted by how masculine and stubbly my face was looking. I hadn’t shaved in a couple days, and the patchy roughness was really coming through. “Do you have a spare razor?” I asked.

“Why?”

“Oh. It’s ok.” Hardin’s face was beardy, but not so much that I assumed he didn’t have a razor. “I just took a look at myself. You know these mirrors in here are much better than the ones in the cabin.”

He laughed. “I can grab you a spare razor head for mine,” he said. “But you’re really gonna have to promise me nobody finds out how accommodating I’ve been.”

Dragging a hand across my cheek and feeling at my skin, I let out a groan. I was so pale and sickly looking in the overhead lights. Maybe the orange ones at the cabin were nicer, at least they gave me a glow. “First time I get internet access, I’ll leave you a positive YELP review.”

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