Page 67 of Love on the Run

“You okay?” Beau asked.

“Yeah. I think that’s good. If you can brush this conditioner through the ends, I can rinse it myself.” She grabbed the bottle and squeezed the conditioner into his hand.

When she turned around, Beau was careful not to pull too hard on any tangled pieces of hair. It probably took a lot of patience and restraint for him to be so gentle.

“I think that’s it,” he said, reaching his arms around her on both sides to rinse the conditioner off his hands.

“Thank you,” she said softly. Appreciationflooded her, mounting on the emotional toil she’d already been dealing with for hours.

His deep timbre was right beside her ear as he whispered, “You’re welcome.”

She couldn’t turn around—couldn’t face him. The tears would come, and he’d see them even through the running water.

And then he was gone, leaving her alone and overwhelmed.

Chapter 19

Anna

Getting out of the wet clothes was more of a chore than she’d expected. By the time she was dry and dressed in warm pajamas, she could barely hold her eyes open. It would be great if her hair was dry before she laid down, but she wasn’t about to ask Beau for another favor tonight.

Beau sat at the table, leaned over his open Bible with one hand wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. When she made a noise while trying to get under the covers, Beau popped up.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, suddenly at her side.

“Nothing. Just trying to get comfortable.”

“Do you need the medicine?” He was already looking for the pill bottle.

“No, it’s not that bad.”

“Are you sure? What else do you need?”

She rested her head back against the pillow,grateful to be clean and in the comfortable bed. “Nothing. You sound like a mother hen.”

“Mother hens are vicious,” Beau said, completely serious and not at all teasing.

“Well you’re worrying too much. Go back to whatever you were doing.”

“Are you ready to go to sleep? I’ll turn the lights off.”

Her phone rang across the room, and Beau went to get it. He handed it to her without looking at the screen.

“Dean. Again,” she said with as much ire as she could muster.

“He’s still calling?” Beau asked.

“I haven’t answered yet.” Just the thought of talking to him had her blood running cold. He probably had an excuse prepared to explain his affair. No doubt he thought it was justified somehow.

Beau held out his hand. “Allow me?”

Anna couldn’t contain her smile. “That would be epic.”

Beau’s brow lifted. He was serious.

In a flash of boldness, Anna handed him the phone. He immediately answered and pressed it to his ear.

“Hello.” He walked slowly around the foot of the bed and sat on the other side next to her.

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