Page 9 of Southern Comfort
Photographs take up an entire wall leading into what looks like the kitchen and dining area. What catches my eye most are the books. The wall behind the couch displays hundreds of them ceiling to floor. They look well used by a voracious reader. Not many people have a library ladder, but he does. It is a good look.
“Love the books, Ronnie. I’m a reader too.”
“This one is worse than me. Tell her,” he says, pitching a thumb at Landon.
“Guilty. What do you like to read?”
“Just about anything well done. Mystery, romance, autobiographies.”
“Have you readThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? It was published like fifteen years ago, but I hadn’t read it.”
“No. Is it good?”
“I’m almost halfway through. I really like it.”
Ronnie has reclaimed his seat on the couch, legs up. It looks as comfortable as an old friend’s hug. Biscuit jumps on his lap.
“Get the girl some coffee,” he says. “And there’s banana pudding in there if anyone wants it.”
Walking ahead, Landon signals me to follow.
“Let me show you your room, then if you want coffee we can relax a little before we hit the sack.”
I almost chuckle at the old-fashioned expression. It is a surprise coming from a man capable of spitting in someone’s face. I hadn’t noticed before how he chews on the inside of his cheek right before smiling.
“I don’t think I will be in the mood for anything but bed. Maybe a water. I just want to sleep. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Dad and I will be up for awhile if you change your mind.”
“You get a good sleep, honey. The world will right itself tomorrow,” Ronnie adds.
“Thanks again, guys. See you in the morning.”
Following Landon out of the room into the well-lit hallway, we arrive at the second door on the left. When he swings it open and turns on the light, I am treated to an unexpected view.
“Here you go. Come in, I’ll give you the tour.”
“This is very cool. The windows. I love it.”
An angled wide bed takes its place in the far corner. On either side tall narrow windows with beautiful leaded glass make an impression. I cannot see what they look out at though. Right now it is only darkness.
“This is where I do most of my reading. When I am here, it’s kind of an escape. Working at the bar isn’t really my thing,” he says, closing the curtains.
“This is your room?”
“Yeah, but believe me, I can sleep anywhere. Oh, and there’s towels and an extra blanket in the cupboard and a new toothbrush in the top drawer in the bathroom. If there is anything else you need, just let me know.”
“Thank you. Thank you, thank you. I will be asleep in no time and all this will be out of my head. Thanks to you and Lex and your dad.”
“Sometimes you need to rely on your friends. Even new ones.”
As he leaves the room, there is one final message.
“Good dreams, Kim.”
CHAPTER THREE
Landon
