He stared at her for a long moment. She expected him to fight back. She grew tense. She wasn’t going to let anyone hurt Dave’s memory.
To her surprise he nodded and stood. That was it? He was giving up?
No, not giving up. He’s giving you what you asked for.
Yeah, except he hadn’t done that up until now. Why now…when maybe there was a part of her that didn’t want him to. Tha
t wanted him to insist that she come out and eat, that she spend some time with him and his brother.
That lonely, broken, sad part of her that just wanted to feel some warmth. Like someone actually cared about her.
Instead, he was walking away. And a part of her broke just a little more.
He opened the door then turned back. “Where is he? What happened?”
“He died,” she whispered.
“And now you live here? All alone?”
She pushed her chin up. “It’s what I prefer.”
Liar. Liar.
His eyes narrowed. She felt certain he was going to call her out on her bullshit, but a loud yell interrupted them. Followed by pain-filled cursing.
She stood up. “Was that Archer?” Had she heard Archer yell? Or swear?
Doc turned and raced towards the door at the side of the kitchen, which led to the closed-in porch. Why would Archer be out there?
Oh shit! The washing machine!
She raced after Doc, coming to a stop as she saw that Archer was lying sprawled on the floor, groaning. Tangled in his feet was the broom. How had that gotten there?
“Are you okay? What happened?”
“Your washing machine tried to kill me, that’s what happened,” Archer replied, scowling at the machine in question.
“The washing machine tried to kill you?” Doc asked skeptically. “And just how did it do that?”
“You tried to plug it in,” she guessed. “Shoot. I’m so sorry. If I knew you were going to do some laundry, I would have told you. Sometimes it gives an electric shock.”
“What?” Doc snapped. “Your washing machine gives off electric shocks?” He turned on her, his hands on his hips. “Do you know how dangerous that is? You could injure yourself!”
“Yes, which is why I always put on my rubber boots first.”
Doc started grumbling under his breath while glaring at her as though she’d mortally offended him.
She ignored him, crouching down next to Archer. “Are you all right?”
“Nice someone remembers that I’m the injured party.” He glared up at his brother. Uh-oh, they weren’t going to start fighting again, were they?
“You’re six foot two and weigh two hundred pounds. She’s a foot shorter and half your weight.”
“Wow. That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“What?” Doc gave her a confused look.
She was five foot four and more like a hundred and thirty pounds. But she’d take it.