Page 60 of Rocky Mountain Desire
Although he was sure they would get back to that scenario another time.
Chapter Seventeen
Fortunately, there was enough business to keep her distracted all day long. After Jaxi had given the all clear on her sister’s departure from the apartment, Helen hadn’t shown her face in the shop even once.
The smooth resolution to the situation was almost anticlimactic. Hope had envisioned all kinds of shouting and tossing of breakable things. It was evil, but the idea of calling the police and getting Helen’s ass hauled down to the cop shop had played out in her brain as far too attractive a scenario.
Hope pressed her palms over her eyes and exhaled her frustrations. All the relaxation therapy she’d learned over the past year was sorely needed right now, because that vindictive thought wasn’t her style. The revengeful bitch-woman who wished her sister would just disappear and never be seen again—was someone else.Thatwoman was the result of too much stress and too many hard moments caused by Helen’s actions.
Still, Hope had to congratulate herself. She’d dealt with the pain and anger. Pushed through the rough times and moved on. Another couple deep breaths later she was ready to head upstairs. She needed a shower and some chocolate.
She turned off the shop lights and armed the security system, then paced up the inside stairs to her apartment. Hiding out sounded like a marvelous idea.
Only—she wanted to see Matt more than she wanted to be alone.
Upstairs, with the door bolted shut, she looked around the apartment with new eyes. What had Helen seen, walking in after a year of being gone? Something she liked? Something she decided she wanted after all?
The phone rang and she checked the call display cautiously, happy to discover Matt’s name and not her sister’s.
“I’ll be there in about forty-five minutes, and I’ve ordered supper to be delivered then as well. Sound okay?”
God, yes.“Wonderful. I need some downtime. Don’t know how good company I’m going to be.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not expecting you to entertain me. Just let me come and give you a little caring.”
It sounded far better than it should. She was supposed to be a strong, independent woman, but tonight? She’d take all the coddling he was willing to give.
Hope turned the shower as hot as she could stand it. Matt’s comment regarding finding Helen in the tub flashed to mind. She grabbed cleanser and scrubbed the entire thing so that all that was possibly left was the smell of disinfectant slowly covered by the scent of her shampoo and the candles she’d lit everywhere.
It was a silly response, but she felt much better after finishing. Like she’d washed away a bit more of the heaviness that had descended upon setting eyes on her sister.
It only took a minute to tidy the bathroom. Far less time than standing in front of her dresser and deciding what to pull on for the evening.
Screw it. She picked her most comfortable pyjamas, which were flannel, faded and made her feel about twelve years old. Matt was going to get her as she was, in spite of what Helen liked to wear.
He hadn’t mentioned what he’d ordered for dinner, so she pulled out a couple plates then poured herself a glass of juice, crawled onto the couch and tucked herself in with one of the quilts draped within easy reach.
No music. No television as white noise.
Just silence.
There was a faint rumble of sound from the street, but nothing too jarring. She took in the peace and attempted to spread it through every bit of herself.
Calmness.
Quiet.
The heat of the quilt slowly soaking in.
Her plan worked so well that by the time Matt knocked and she rose to let him in, she felt far looser and relaxed than she thought possible.
His gaze darted over her outfit as he held forward a case of beer. “You look comfy. Should have told me we were having a pyjama party.”
“You’re always welcome to wear whatever you want in my place. There was no way I was going to dress up tonight. Sorry.”
“Trust me, I’m not complaining.” He tilted his head toward the door. “The delivery car pulled in just behind me. Let me grab the food and we’ll get cozy.”
“You want a drink?”
