Page 36 of A Family Affair: The Ring
His smile lit up his blue eyes, made them sparkle.“I did learn how to make decent scrambled eggs and toast.Lightly toasted, not burned.Cheese in the eggs, splash of water and take them off the burner while they’re still light and fluffy.But, since that’s my only claim in the culinary department, Sal’s market has you covered for everything else.”The smile spread as he raised a hand, began ticking off food items.“Spaghetti and meatballs, chicken Florentine, white chicken chili…rotisserie chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes.Not the kind in a box or bag, but Ava swears theyarehomemade,anddelicious.”
“My, my… Who would have thought you’d inquire about homemade versus boxed or bagged?”
Pink swirled beneath the tan on his cheeks, and he shrugged.“I didn’t think you’d be too keen on the processed stuff, so…”
“Thank you, Will.You’ve been very kind.”
He stared at her as though he were about to say something important.And then he shrugged again and said, “I’m just glad it wasn’t Cash who found you.If what Nate said about him is true, you’d still be trapped by that door.”The laugh said he knew that wasn’t true, but maybe it made it easier for him to accept her gratitude.
“Cash is a character, but as Lily says, he certainly is nice to look at.”
Those blue eyes narrowed as though he were trying to tell ifshewere the one joking now.“From what I hear, those looks couldn’t bail him out of a particular situation he had with Tess years ago.”
His expression had shifted, turned serious.Was there a question buried in there somewhere?One that had to do with them?“That’s what Tess told me, but now?They’re committed and no matter what happens, nothing’s going to tear them apart.”
“Agreed.They’re lucky.”He cleared his throat, shoved his hands in his pockets and said, “About dinner?It’s 8 o’clock and you need to eat something.Why don’t I fix a plate and you try to eat a little?”
“As long as there’s mashed potatoes, then yes.And green tea.”She bit her lower lip, hesitated a second.“Can you help me to the bathroom, please.”
“Of course.”Will helped her to the bathroom, waited outside the door, and when she was finished, helped her back to the couch.Then he headed to the kitchen and fifteen minutes later delivered two plates of mashed potatoes, rotisserie chicken, green beans, and chocolate mousse—eaten on Grandma Esther’s ancient TV trays.Will sat in the rocker across from Melanie and dug into his food, occasionally stopping to chat and sip his beer.
They talked about the town, the people—new additions and old timers—and what constituted a decent beer.The conversation was relaxed, comfortable, and Melanie didn’t feel the need to rework every thought before it left her brain like she’d been doing.Maybe it was the aftermath of the accident or the pain pill that stripped the caution from her thoughts, or maybe it was simply spending time with him that made her forget why they weren’t together.
“It’s getting late, and we need to get you to bed.”
“Oh.Sure.”Melanie placed her mug on the coffee table, eased the blanket aside.“Thanks again for everything.”They’d spent hours together and not once had he snapped or tossed out criticisms.Will had been kind, gentle, concerned—like the old Will.Except he wasn’t the old Will, and they weren’t together any longer.
“I plan to stay tonight to keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t need anything.”He must have seen the confusion on her face because he added, “I made up your grandmother’s bed.”A shake of his head and then “Do you think that’s the original mattress?It’s about three inches thick.”
Melanie ignored his comment about the mattress, homed in on the other part—the one where he informed her he planned to stay the night.“You don’t need to stay.I can get around and make my way to the bathroom and—” she lifted her arm, let him see she could move it back and forth “—and get in and out of bed.I don’t plan to take any more pain pills tonight and I’m not going to do something foolish.”
The raised brow said that last comment was debatable, and the slash of lips said he wasn’t going to accept what she’d said.“I’m staying, Melanie.The pain could get worse, and you might need something.If you do, I want to be here.Besides, who else is going to help you?Cash and Tess have kids and they would be the next choice.”
Cash and Tess were the firstandsecond choice and Will Callahan was not even an option.Until he was.Should she tell him what a bad idea it was to have him sleeping in the next room, with his car parked out front, fodder for all sorts of stories?Should she tell him—
“If you’re worried about what people might say, I already texted Cash and told him what’s going on.And I moved my car near their barn, so no worries some busybody will spot it and start circulating tales around town.”
“Do you really think this is a good idea?”
He eyed her a second too long, and when he spoke there was no missing the frustration in his voice.“Probably not.”
22
Cash Casherdon had a comment about everything, even when he shouldn’t.Like now.He’d stopped over a few minutes ago with a container of chili, a box from Barbara’s Boutique & Bakery, and a boatload of questions.“Before I forget, Harry Blacksworth is sending dinner for two.Guess he thinks you and Melanie will be sharing it.”A scowl, a burn from those whiskey-colored eyes.“Why don’t you tell me what the hell’s going on and why you’ve set up house here?And why that perfect hair doesn’t look so perfect.”His gaze slid to Will’s wrinkled shirt.“I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you looking like you just rolled out of bed, even if you’re wearing a dry-clean-only shirt.”
Will didn’t like anyone questioning his actions or his integrity.“If you’re here, then you already know what happened.”
The man the town called “settled but still dangerous” rubbed his jaw, the scowl deepening.“I know what happened that landed her in the ER.What Idon’tknow is what happened after she got home.”Pause and a snarl.“With you.”
“What are you implying?”
Cash crossed his muscled arms over his chest, glared.“What am I implying?I’ll tell you.You two have history and that’s a problem.”
“She was hurt, and I helped her.End of story.”Except it wasn’t the end of the story because deep down Will knew it was more like the beginning or the continuation of the story and that bothered him.There were too many variables, too much bad blood, too much damn emotion.What was he supposed to do with all of that?“She was going to call you, but you weren’t available.”
The laugh said he could try another story and another fool who might believe that was all there was to it.“So, you just so happened to be strolling by to see the woman you’ve been avoiding?The one you have a history with… The one who walks back into town after she broke your engagement?And helping her yesterday was a goodwill gesture, nothing personal?”
“Sounds about right.”
