Page 19 of Hot Chicken

“Yeah. I’m just a little rattled, I think.”

“I get it.” I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. “Ellie?”

“Yeah?”

“If I promise, nothing else will happen… can I hold you?” I swear I hear her gasp. But that could’ve been my conscience exasperated by my brazen question.

“Yes.”

Relief washes over me, and I instantly pull her close, hoping she won’t change her mind when she feels how hard she makes me. “Goodnight.”

I awaken to bright light streaming through the tacky, floral Christmas drapes, birds chirping like they’re auditioning for the next animated Disney movie, and Pops standing over our bed as I lie with my limbs entwined in Ellie’s. I attempt to pull back slowly. “Mornin’, sir.”

“Good morning,” he whispers, his face unreadable.

The two of us just blink at one another. This is awkward as hell.

“Don’t hurt her.”

I can’t help but shudder at the enormity of his words. I’d never intentionally do anything to hurt Ellie. But I’m returning home in a few more weeks while she’s staying here. If I’m not careful, we’re both liable to get hurt. So I respond honestly. “I don’t ever want to see her hurt, sir.”

With that, he gives me a pat on the shoulder and returns to his bedroom. He’s right. I need to tread very carefully with this woman. Because the very last thing I want to do is cause her any pain.

Chapter 18

Matt

“Good morning.”

I look over to acknowledge Ellie’s greeting. “Good morning.” I smile.

“What time is it?”

Checking my watch, I’m stunned it’s so late. “It’s eight-thirty. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late.”

Ellie springs up from the bed. “Oh, no. Jo is going to wonder where on earth I am.”

“After that storm, I’m sure he won’t be surprised you’re a little late.”

She gives me a blank stare. “I’m never late. And Pops…” She hops up from the bed as if she’s about to race to his room.

“He’s fine. I checked on him earlier.” I leave out that he actually checked on us. “Why don’t you give Jo a call? Let him know you’ll be in as soon as you can. I’ll drop you off and check on Harry and my mom. Then I can come back and get you after work and drive you and Pops back to your place if the power’s back on.”

Ellie stops picking up her things and spins toward me. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

She gives me a stern look that almost hurts. Is she lumping me in with all the other people who’ve done her wrong throughout her life? I know I didn’t stand up for her as I should have, but could she still be holding that against me?

“Go get dressed. I’ll see if I can scrounge up something from the dining room for your grandpa to eat while we’re gone.”

It’s a short drive from the inn to Salty Jo’s. It seems much longer than the first time I was searching for it. But knowing Ellie’s about to leave has me wishing it was a few more miles away.

“So, you never said. Why are you back?”

“My mom’s sick. She has Alzheimer’s. It’s pretty progressive. Harry’s been managing to hire caregivers for her until recently. She gets really confused at night. Sundowners, they call it. Anyway… we’re committed to keeping her in her home. He just hasn’t had much luck finding an overnight caregiver. So I’m here until we can figure that out. Neither one of us wants to consider putting her in a nursing home to keep her safe.”

“I’m so sorry,” Ellie says, placing her hand over mine. The warmth that travels from her soft palm soothes my frayed nerves.

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