Page 36 of Master
"Why don't I show you to the guest room, and you can wash up and rest a bit before dinner?"
“Are you sure I cannot help you with something?” Tarook asked, nodding toward the barn.
"They'll be plenty of time for that later," Buck laughed, patting Tarook on the shoulder. “Let’s get you settled first.
It was a simple house, white two-story, with a gray shingled roof and three dormer windows. A screened porch ran the entire front of the house. It reminded me of the abode from that old Walton’s television show.
Seriously, I’m aging myself with pop culture references.
Entering the front door put us at once in the living room. Damn, itwaslike stepping into an episode of The Waltons. The floors were dark wood, with white-painted walls and simple, sturdy furniture. Toward the back of the house lay the kitchen and dining area, while to our left, a set of stairs with an ornately carved banister.
We followed Lula up to the second floor, the room at the end of the hallway. It was a larger room than I expected, but simple, with only a wingback upholstered chair, dresser, and queen-sized bed.
"The bathroom's just across the hall." Lula grinned at me, laying her hand atop the dresser. It was a beautiful piece,dark walnut with gilded handles. I wouldn’t have minded having something like this in my house.
My house.
What would happen to my house now? How long would it take for my daughter to even register I’d gone missing?
I was so tied up in the plethora of mess my abduction would create for those left behind; I didn't pick up on the signals until Lula stepped toward the door.
“I’ll leave ya’ll to get some rest.”
She’s leaving us both here. Together. With one bed?
"Ummm," I began, not sure how to proceed.
Lula glanced at me, eyes going wide as she noticed my discomfort.
“Oh, my goodness, I didn’t even think. I just assumed you two were a couple.”
"We’re....” I began trying to settle my brain on how to describe what Tarook and I were to each other. My protector, no, it was more than that. Lovers... nope, not going there. Friends? If I used friends to describe us, did I have to add the wholefriend-with-benefitsthing?
The warm weight of Tarook's arm around my waist stunned my brain into stillness.
“Yes, we are a couple.”
I blinked up at Tarook, a slow burn beginning in the middle of my chest—a twinge of heartburn from that weird fruit we ate. I should be furious at Tarook, but I couldn't summon an emotion other than a strange sense of relief.
“Thought so.” Lula winked, her hand on the doorknob, as she stepped into the hall. “Supper will be ready in a few.”
“I’d be happy to help you,” I offered. If I helped Lula in the kitchen, then I'd be able to put off dealing with the fact that Tarook just called me his… what did Emmy call it… mate?
"Nonsense." Lula scrunched her nose at me. "I might have some clean clothes that might fit you. I’ll leave them in the bathroom. Get cleaned up and have a nice rest. I'll come get you when suppers on the table."
Glancing down at myself as the door clicked shut, Lula's disgust was completely understandable. The jumpsuit I wore held a myriad of stains and small rips.Thankfully, my boots held up well in the hike, even if they were more for pretty than service. Tarook’s leather fared far better in traipsing through the wilds. He noticed my perusal and winked.
I swatted his bicep.
“Why did you do that?” I demanded, settling in the chair.
“Do what?” Tarook peered out the window.
“Let her believe we’re a couple.” The burning in my chest had cooled somewhat. It was still there, just not as bothersome.
Tarook settled on the edge of the bed, facing me.
“It was necessary.”
