Page 5 of One Chance to Stay
His bacon was like him, dry on the edges with a meaty center. Even with an ache in my jaw, I savored the taste. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a low moan. When was the last time somebody cooked me breakfast? Hell, when was the last time I stayed over at somebody’s house? Probably the same time they saw me naked.
“Do you technically live in Firefly? Or am I in Merryville territory?”
“I think I preferred you on ice.”
“Seamus…” I shot him a grin. “I think you’re a big ol’ softy.” Nothing. Not even a slight upturn of the lip. He wasn’t meeting me halfway. Hell, he wasn’t even taking the field. And yet he hadn’t walked away either. “It’s okay. It’ll be our little secret. But in all seriousness, thank you.”
His hands gestured as if he batted away my thanks. He didn’t say it, but he’d already done more for me than most people would. If I couldn’t get to him with sincerity, then I might as well have fun with it. I hadn’t been up an hour, and already I wantedto lie down and take a nap. Who knew that almost dying would be so exhausting? I’d drain my battery, peppering poor Seamus.
“I’d ask how I could repay you, but you already got a free show.” My exaggerated wink was met with a… sneer? Sour face? “I won’t tell anybody if you copped a feel. It’s hard to resist.” Yes, definitely a sneer now. “But in all seriousness, how can I repay you?”
Seamus shoveled the last of the eggs into his mouth. His fork rattled on the plate as he stood. Had I gone overboard? Maybe he wasn’t comfortable with the idea of another naked man. I had spent so much time at the bar that I assumed everybody was comfortable with their sexuality.
“You can wash the dishes.”
He took his plate to the sink and set it down. Walking toward the parlor, he stopped in the doorway. He didn’t turn to face me when he spoke. “You’re welcome.” I felt this constituted an emotional exchange for Seamus. For him, that was practically an outburst. Instead of a witty reply, I kept my mouth shut and accepted the somewhat heartfelt reply.
“When you’re done, I’ll give you a lift back to town.”
When I got back to Valhalla, would Evie have even noticed my absence? I was sure when I explained my near-death experience, there’d be mittens hanging on my door and at least one casserole in the fridge. Jason and Jon would fire texts back and forth with some well-earned teasing. I looked forward to returning to the town and watching their shenanigans unfold. Yet…
I took a bite of my toast, turning in my chair. I wanted to find out if my new bestie partook in those hijinks. He might come off as a grumpy hermit, but he couldn’t live in Firefly without being one of them. I’d figure out a way to repay him for his version of kindness. I’m sure the folks in town would have insight intoSeamus. Seamus had saved me with a scowl and a plate of eggs. How could I not be intrigued? I’d crack this shell.
REPAYING THE FAVOR
Patrick: False alarm. Didn’t die.
Jon: You were serious?
Jason: What happened? Are you okay?
Jon: Do you need anything? Lasagna? Pie?
Amanda: He nearly froze, not starved.
Jon: Oh. Chicken soup it is!
I barely stepped into Valhalla when Evelyn threw her arms around my neck. She squeezed as if she feared I’d slip away. I hadn’t spent twenty minutes with the woman when she showed me my room yesterday. This level of familiarity was what I expected from Firefly.
“Are you okay? I heard you got caught in the snow?”
“I’m okay.” She didn’t relinquish her stranglehold. “I didn’t get back to my truck before the snow started. You’d think growing up in Maine, I’d know better.”
She let go before resting her hand on the back of my forehead. I’d cry foul if she pulled out a thermometer. Satisfied I wasn’t running a fever, she pulled on the flaps of my hat,ensuring they covered my ears. If I squinted my right eye and tilted my head to the side, I could see her resemblance to Jon.
“I heard you fought off a black bear?”
Twenty-four hours since I came to Firefly, and already the rumor mill had pulled me into their group text. I didn’t know if I should be flattered or concerned. Would I need to call the town together to make a public declaration? Knowing Firefly, they were already preparing a spaghetti night to cover my medical bills.
“No black bears.”
Her eyebrow went up. Oh, now I could see the family resemblance. One hundred percent an Olsen. When her lip curved, I thought it might be Jon in a shoulder-length blond wig. Her brain was already trying to piece together the information.
“Have a seat in the living room. I’ll grab some…”
“Coffee. Dark. As much kick as you can muster.”
“Valhalla never disappoints.”
