Thayer made sense, but she still felt like an intruder. She started tugging at her shirt, trying to hide the bruises she knew they couldn’t possibly see.
Tears pricked her eyes at the kindness these two strangers were showing her. She hadn’t felt like this in years, and it was a little unnerving. Lifting her eyes to them, they both stood suddenly and took a step toward her before stopping themselves.
“Fuck.” Deacon’s curse rang through the room. “Was it something I said? Was I being an ass?” He ran a hand over the back of his head. “Shit, I’m sorry. Jessa. I’m not good with words, and I tend to put my foot in my mouth a lot.”
The concern in his voice had her smiling and needing to reassure him that he didn’t do anything wrong. “You didn’t say anything wrong, Deacon.”
“Are you in pain? I can give you something if you are.” Thayer turned and went to the cupboard.
“I’m not in pain.” It certainly wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. She had felt a lot worse. “It’s just…” She looked between the two of them and tightened her hands in her shirt. “You’re just so nice to me, a woman you don’t even know. You guys saved my life and are now offering to fix my car and let me stay in your home. I don’t know what I’d do if not for you two.”
A blush crept up her neck, and she looked away, suddenly feeling very exposed.
“I’m not used to that kind of kindness.” She smiled and murmured, “Thank you.”
Before she was the one that put her foot in her mouth, she darted back into her room, away from their knowing eyes and the unfamiliar understanding and tenderness they offered her.