Page 71 of Hot For You

Chapter 27

Carilyn took a long drink from a bottle of spring water as she leaned up against a counter in Leigh’s kitchen. Leigh was in her room taking a shower.

Will life ever feel normal again? Carilyn wondered. She thought maybe it would now that Leigh was back and they’d scrubbed the house from top to bottom, as if that would eliminate every trace that the home had been ransacked. She was still adjusting after her traumatic experience, but with every day that passed, she felt more and more healed.

Of course when she’d returned, Leigh had been shocked at everything Carilyn had been through and had supported Carilyn in every way possible.

It had been three weeks since she’d almost been murdered. Nathan Morris was still in a burn trauma unit from third degree burns all over his body. Once the hospital released him, Reese, who was back at work as soon as the doctor cleared him, had assured her that Nathan would be sent directly to jail without passing Go. There would be a trial of course, and she’d need to be in Prescott to testify and see him go to prison, but she wasn’t going to think about all of that just yet.

“When is Cody getting here?” Leigh asked as she came into the kitchen while pushing her blonde hair behind her ears.

Carilyn looked at the clock on the coffee maker. Her stomach skipped with excitement. “Any time now.”

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you and Cody are together.” Leigh looked absolutely delighted. “I knew you two would hit it off.”

The doorbell rang and Leigh smiled. “Looks like your Prince Charming is right on time.”

Carilyn gave a quick grin. “He may not be a prince, but he is a rather charming cowboy fireman, I have to say.”

Leigh hooked her arm through Carilyn’s and they walked through the kitchen and into the living room. “Any idea what Cody has planned for you two this weekend?”

“Nope.” Carilyn shook her head. “But my bags are packed just like he told me to, and I included everything he suggested.”

“I love surprises.” Leigh smiled as she released Carilyn and reached for the door handle. “Mike’s an awesome guy but he needs a few lessons in that area.”

Leigh opened the door wide and waved Cody in. Carilyn wanted to melt at the sight of him in his Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and the Stetson he wore when he wasn’t on duty at the fire station.

“Hi, Leigh,” he said before he grinned at Carilyn and gave her a wonderful kiss that made her feel light as air.

“Where are you off to?” Leigh asked brightly when Cody and Carilyn parted.

“Good try.” Cody winked at Leigh before glancing around her living room. “Your place looks great now that you’re back and it’s set to rights. I have to say Mike is a lot easier to get along with since you’ve come home. Especially now that I’ve been living with him since my house was blown to hell.”

Leigh gave a laugh. “I had a wonderful time in Europe, but I’m happy to be back. I missed him, too.” She smiled at Carilyn. “And I’m so happy to have you here.”

“Ditto on Carilyn being here,” Cody said with a look at Carilyn that made butterflies dance in her belly. “As far as Mike is concerned, I’ve never seen him like this before,” Cody added. “I think he’s got it for you bad.”

Leigh grinned. “I like the sound of that.”

Cody looked at Carilyn. “Ready?”

She gestured to her new pink suitcase. “Yep.”

He picked up the suitcase. “See you, Leigh.” He touched the brim of his hat and nodded to her before turning and heading out the front door.

Carilyn gave Leigh a quick hug. “Have a great time,” Leigh said as she drew away.

“Thanks.” Carilyn smiled at Leigh and whispered so that Cody couldn’t hear. “Maybe you should plan a surprise trip for you and Mike and show him how it’s done. Sometimes men need a push.”

Leigh looked thoughtful. “Now there’s an idea.”

Carilyn said goodbye and Leigh watched them as they climbed into Cody’s truck. Leigh waved as Cody started the truck and pulled away from the curb. Carilyn waved back.

She turned to Cody. “So where are we going?”

“I’ll never tell,” he said with a grin and she lightly punched his arm.

They chatted about his new home—the builders would be starting on it soon. Just days ago, Carilyn had surprised Cody with a new guitar that she’d bought him to replace the one that had been lost in the explosion.

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