“Oh, my, heavens!” Mama Porter’s shriek came from the doorway.
Tuck jumped in response and the movement brought the pain she’d been fearing as her body was jostled. Maryn cried out then bit her lip to try to hide the fact she was hurting. She hauled herself to a seated position and looked at Mama in the doorway and Tuck sitting up in bed next to her.
“Oh, Maryn, I hurt you. I’m sorry.”
“I’m okay,” she reassured him, loving that his first thought was of her.
“Tucker Shaffer! Whatareyou doing?”
“Mama.” Tuck looked boyish and absolutely adorable with his hair mussed and his dark eyes unable to meet either of theirs. “I was just… taking care of her.”
“I’ll bet you were! And the poor dear injured like she is. Now you get out of that bed and let me help her get ready.”
Tucker stood and took his lashing with a half-grin on his face.
“Don’t you smile at me!” She swatted at him, but Tuck dodged it easily. “Grab your clothes and toiletries and go shower in one of the guest baths. Now, go on, get out of here.”
Tucker gave her half a bow, hurried past her, and grabbed some things from his bathroom and walk-in closet. Maryn climbed out of bed, wishing she could shower too, but realizing it probably wasn’t to be with all the stitches.
Tucker walked boldly to her and murmured in her ear, “No matter how mad Mama is, that was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.”
“Me too.” She winked up at him.
His dark eyes shadowed by even darker lashes and his face covered in stubble made her a bit weak. She swayed and he held her elbows to steady her then escorted her into the bathroom with Mama Porter following and tsking the entire way.
“I’ll see you at breakfast,” he said before finally listening to Mama and heading for the stairs.
“That boy,” Mama said in exasperation, but she had a twinkle in her eyes. “Did he just climb on up in bed with you?”
“Yes. But I didn’t mind.” Maryn had to laugh at the shock on Mama’s face. “We didn’t do anything inappropriate.” She hastened to reassure the sweet woman. “If you noticed, he was above the covers. He simply held me so I wouldn’t roll onto my back and hurt myself.”
“Okay.” Mama shook her head and sighed heavily. “Now, can I help you get ready?”
“I think if you’ll just help me get this tank top off, I can give myself a sponge bath and get ready.” Maryn sorted through the clothes in her bag, nothing comfortable or practical but the tank top and pajama bottoms. “Dang. I haven’t got anything that I should probably wear with these stupid stitches.”
Mama thought for a minute then bustled into the walk-in closet. She returned with a huge long-sleeved t-shirt. “This will be like a nightdress on you.”
“Thank you. That will work great.”
She helped Maryn pull off the tank top and pajama bottoms then left her alone. Maryn quickly washed up with a washcloth, careful not to make any sudden movements. She put on minimal makeup, re-secured her hair in the ponytail, and then picked up the t-shirt. Stretching her arms up to slide it over her head hurt, but the second the shirt slid into place, Maryn sighed. It smelled like Tuck. She rolled the sleeves. “Good choice, Mama Porter,” she murmured. The woman may have acted shocked by the sleeping arrangement, but she was definitely a little matchmaker.
Maryn slowly walked out of the bathroom and down the stairs. The pain wasn’t too bad today. She was going to insist on something low key like ibuprofen or Tylenol instead of OxyContin to take the edge off. She wanted to think clearly and enjoy each moment with Tucker today. Who knew how long she’d have before she had to return to real life?
As she entered the kitchen Mama, Johnson, Braxton, and Tuck all looked up. All Maryn could focus on was Tuck and the look of appreciation that filled his eyes.
“I like your shirt,” he said, coming to her side and taking her elbow.
“Thanks. It smells like someone I know.”
He winked and escorted her to the dining table. Maryn forced herself to break from his gaze and acknowledge the others in the room. Their mouths were slightly open and she wondered if they were all speculating on their boss’s actions. “Good morning,” she said.
Braxton sprang into action. “Good morning. How are you feeling today?”
“As good as peach pie. Thank you.”
“I don’t think peach pie ever looked that good,” Johnson muttered.
Tucker shot him a dark look. Johnson grinned innocently, his dimples deepening.