Ada showed me where she had everything stored away, and then I got busy. I was still a little stiff, but it felt good to be up and moving around again. I went around and took the bedding off all the beds, then put on the clean sheets and remade them. I vacuumed and began dusting while Ada starting putting together lasagna for dinner. She’d just stuck it in the oven when I walked into the kitchen and asked, “Okay, I’ve done the bedrooms. What else do you need me to do?”
“Well, dose fan blades shore could use a dustin’. I haven’t been able to get to dem with my ol’ hip. It hurts somethin’ awful.” Her lips pursed with frustration. “It’s no fun gettin’ old.”
“You’re not old, Ada.” I teased as I grabbed one of the cleaning rags from the bucket. “You’re just getting started.”
“I wish yous was right ’bout that, but I’m moving slower ever’ day.”
“We all are.”
I’d just grabbed a chair from the kitchen when I heard a tap on the front door. Rafe stuck his head in as he called out, “Hey, Ms. Ada.”
“Rafe!” She motioned him inside and gave him a hug. “Been too long since I laid my eyes on you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry about that.” Rafe was a handsome guy—tall, broad shouldered with the most beautiful green eyes I’d ever seen. He gave her a big hug and kissed her on the cheek. “Just been a busy few months.”
“So I hear.”
He took a step back, and a charming smile crossed his face as he gave her a playful wink. “I gotta say. You’re looking good, Ms. Ada. Real good.”
“Oh, stop it, boy. Your flirtin’ does nothin’ for me.”
“Um-hmm. If you say so.” Rafe then turned his attention to me. Even though we’d never actually met, he looked at me like we were old friends. “Hey there, Remington. You look like you’re feeling better.”
“I am, thanks to you and your brothers.”
“Just doing what we can, but glad to see that you’re back up and on your feet.” He tilted his head and cocked his eyebrow as he gave me a quick once over. “I have to admit, you look a lot different than you did last week.”
I giggled as I told him, “Yeah, I was looking pretty rough then. Like I’d been in a bar fight and lost.”
“Well, you certainly look better now.”
“Oh, good heavens,” Ada fussed. “Your flirtin’ ain’t gonna work on her neither.”
“Maybe not, but come on. Look at her. She’s a knockout.” Rafe glanced over at me with a sexy smirk. “You can’t blame a man for trying.”
“Pfft. You best get to gettin’ before you gets yo’self in trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He shook his head with defeat and sighed. “You mind if I use the facilities?”
“You knows I don’t mind. Go on and do what yous gotta do.”
“Thanks, Ada.”
With that, he disappeared down the hall. I couldn’t help but smile when Ada looked over to me and said, “I’s love ’em. Heck, I loves all dem boys, but that one? Ooo-wee. He’s a mess. Leaves a wake of broken hearts wherever he goes.”
“Yeah, I kind of picked up on that.”
“Smart girl.”
Laughing under my breath, I took my cleaning rag and chair into the living room, then placed the chair underneath the ceiling fan. It took a little maneuvering, but I finally managed to pull myself up and stood on the seat. I reached up and started wiping down the first blade. I hadn’t realized how dusty they were until all the little dust balls started falling down around my head and shoulders. When it got into my eyes and mouth, I began coughing, and before I realized what was happening, I started to fall backwards. Just as I had completely lost my footing, I felt a set of arms slip beneath me, keeping me from plummeting to the floor.
“Easy there, hot stuff.” With a start, I looked up and found Rafe’s handsome face staring down at me, and from his expression, it was clear he was quite pleased with himself. He was smiling ear to ear as he asked, “You all right?”
“Yes.” I quickly wiped the dust from my eyes and face. “I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
He was still cradling me protectively in his arms as I answered, “Yes, I’m sure. You can put me down now.”
“I don’t know. It’s kind of nice having you here in my arms.”
The words had barely left his mouth when the front door opened, and Noah came charging inside. The second he caught sight of me in Rafe’s arms, his eyes narrowed with anger. “What the fuck is going on here?”
“I ...uh...I was just coming in to...” Rafe stammered.
“I thought I told you to keep watch outside,” Noah snarled.
“Yeah, and I was.” Rafe quickly lowered my feet to the floor as he said, “I just came in to take a piss.”