Kendall hesitated, then guiltily glanced both ways down the hall to see if anyone was watching before stepping inside.
When she closed the door behind him, he felt trapped, which made him realize how long it had been since he’d been alone with a woman. The room was built and furnished similarly to others in the house—one window, a bed and dresser, love seat, chair, coffee table, writing desk, closet, and a bathroom.
But the otherwise tidy room was strewn with various pieces of clothing—a silky white nightgown, a tiny pink T-shirt that read “Maybe, Baby,” a denim skirt, a pair of tall black boots. Through the bathroom door, two pairs of panty hose were hanging over a towel rack. Kendall’s face warmed at the implied intimacy. He glanced at the door and considered bolting, but realized how idiotic that would look. Then he forced himself to relax. Who said Rachel was interested in anything more than a little decorating?
But she was looking at his crotch. “I see you brought your hammer.”
He blanched. “Pardon me?”
She pointed to the tool belt he wore so often, he forgot he had it on. “A hammer…for pounding in a nail?” She held up a picture-hanging hook, then pointed to a picture leaning against the wall.
He felt like an idiot. “Oh, right. Where do you want it?”
“Can you hold it up for me?”
“Sure.” He reached for the picture, then stopped when he realized it was a photograph of the old covered bridge that had once spanned Timber Creek. “Evermore Bridge,” he murmured. “If you don’t mind my asking, where did you get this?”
She stepped close to look over his shoulder. Her floral perfume filled his nostrils. “I was going through some photographs in the Lost and Found warehouse, and thought this one was really great.”
“It is great,” he agreed.
“So you remember the bridge?”
He nodded slowly, assailed with memories. “It was a fantastic piece of workmanship.” And it was his and Amy’s place.
“Don’t worry. This isn’t the original photo,” Rachel said. “I scanned it in—this is a color copy.” Then she bit into her cherry-pink lip. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course,” he said, irritated with himself that everything these days reminded him of Amy. “Do you want it hung here, over the dresser?”
“Yes, please.”
Kendall held the picture against the wall. He glanced down to see a lacy red bra of considerable cup size lying on the top of the dresser. He averted his gaze to Rachel to take direction from her, but all he could visualize was her wearing that red bra…or worse—not wearing it.
She lifted her arms, emphasizing her generous breasts. “Higher.”
He stifled a groan and lifted the picture higher.
“To the right.”
Good God, if he got an erection while his arms were up in the air, there would be no hiding it.
“No…too much. Back to the left.”
He moved the frame again, trying to think of something other than the sexy woman. But when he looked at the picture of Evermore Bridge, he was reminded of all the intimate things he and Amy had done in their special place. His groin tightened.
“How’s that?” he blurted.
She angled her blonde head. “Maybe.”
“Let’s try it,” he said, then handed her the picture with his right hand while marking the spot on the wall with his left. He was glad to turn his back because he was definitely sporting wood now, like a damn teenager.
“Can you hand me the hanger?” he asked over his shoulder.
Rachel came up behind him and reached around with a long, tapered arm. “How’s this?” she asked, her mouth close to his ear.
“F-fine,” he said, but almost dropped the hanger. He held it against the wall, then pulled a hammer from his tool belt. Her perfume was messing with his mind. “Um…you might want to step back a little. We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“Oh. Okay,” she said, stepping away.
But the red bra was so close to his face he could take a bite out of it. He had to get out of here. He lifted the hammer and brought it down hard…
On his thumb.
Kendall howled, Rachel screamed, blood spurted.
“Oh, my God!” she shouted. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” he managed to say through gritted teeth, but the jolt of pain shot up his arm and brought tears to his eyes. He dropped the hammer, which landed squarely on his foot.
He grunted, then lifted his injured foot to ease the pressure. Of all days not to wear steel-toed boots.
“You’re bleeding. Here.” Rachel wrapped something soft around his thumb, which instantly turned red from his blood. “Let’s get you down to the clinic. Can you walk?”
He nodded, feeling like a damn fool, then limped out of her room. He tried, but there was no talking her out of going with him. She trotted beside him, holding his wrapped hand as if it had been severed. Her lavish breasts rubbed up against him throughout. They attracted a lot of attention as they walked through the boardinghouse. He was sure the gossip had already started before the door closed behind them. God, he hoped his brothers didn’t see him. His hand and his foot both throbbed, but that was nothing compared to the beating his pride had taken.
The only thought that cheered Kendall as he and Rachel stumbled in the direction of the clinic was that surely this day would get better.
4
“I still can’t believe you’re here,” Nikki said, smiling wide over her mug.
“I should’ve told you that Sweetness is my hometown,” Amy said. They were sitting in the clinic lounge drinking strong coffee from the pot on the counter.
“So why didn’t you?” Nikki asked, her expression a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
“It’s a long story,” Amy hedged, embarrassed to hear emotion thickening her voice.
“Well,” Nikki said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “It sounds like you’re going to be here long enough for us to catch up.”
Amy nodded and seized on another subject. “This place certainly seems to agree with you. You look fantastic.” Nikki’s hair was highlighted and cut in a new style that set off her beautiful green eyes. Her cheeks glowed with vitality, although Nikki suspected her high color could be attributed more to Porter Armstrong than to the fresh mountain air.
“Thank you,” Nikki gushed. “I’m so happy. Sweet ness feels like the home I’ve never had.”
Amy’s
