Page 18 of Illinois Innkeeper
“I’m so happy,” she murmurs for my ears only.
“Me too,” I agree quietly, before adding, “But we do have a couple of problems.”
She pulls back slightly to look up into my eyes, but remains firmly wrapped in my loving embrace.
Answering her unasked question, I say, “I don’t have a job or a place to live.”
In a confident tone, she tells me, “We’ll figure it out in the same way we’ll do everything from now on––together.”
EPILOGUE - MIRANDA
Thanks to my first on-the-job injury, I have discovered another of Graham’s wonderful, lovable traits. He is the most tender caregiver in the world. He seems to have an innate sense of anything I may want and brings it to me before I even have a chance to ask.
When he delivers a steaming mug of chamomile tea and a plate with three Oreo cookies to me, I smile up at him and say, “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve such an amazing man in my life, but I’m not going to question my astounding good fortune.”
“You really gave me a scare,” he says, with concern drawing his handsome features down as he sets the tea cup and cookie plate on the bedside table.
Downplaying what happened, I say, “I just got the wind knocked out of me. It’s really no big deal.”
When his expression remains somber, I try to lighten the mood by saying, “Besides, it only hurts when I breathe.”
“Not funny,” he whispers, but the corners of his lips turn upward. Shifting his attention to my lap, he says, “And you probably don’t need this lazy lump weighing down on you.”
“I like having him here. He’s soft and warm,” I assure Graham as I smile down at Nacho.
“I’m glad the two of you have bonded, but I think he may like you even more than me,” Graham says as he adjusts the pillows behind my back before handing me the tea.
“We understand each other,” I say before blowing on the hot beverage and taking a tentative sip.
After Graham sets the mug back on the table for me, I rub the sweet tabby cat’s soft ears three times.
In response to the attention, Nacho kneads his claws into the fuzzy blanket on my lap three times, pauses, then adds three more. I have no idea if the cat understands my irrational desire for multiples of three or if it’s his own quirk, but he seems to always follow the same rule. It’s oddly reassuring.
“Are you sure you’re going to be up to going to my brother’s concert tomorrow evening? It’s no problem if you want me to call and tell him we can’t make it this time,” he offers.
Giving the thoughtful man a wide smile, I say, “I love it that you are so concerned about my wellbeing, but I am fine.”
At his uncertain expression I add, “I promise. Besides, isn’t this concert in Chicago the last time Gavin is going to perform his classic hits? We don’t want to miss that.”
“Yeah, it’s his last hurrah as a rock star with a big stadium show before he tones his music way down and switches exclusively to lowkey venues with less fanfare, so it’s sure to be a great show––if you’re positive that you’re up to it.”
His tone raises at the end, so I nod my head to confirm that I want to go. Giving him an ornery grin, I say, “Besides, I’m dying to meet this talented brother of yours. Is he as handsome in person?”
“Hey, now,” Graham murmurs as he leans in and playfully nuzzles my ear.
I giggle and say, “He may be a famous rock star, but I’m sure he’s nothing compared to you, my love.”
--
I can’t keep the excitement out of my tone as I tell the crew about last night’s concert. “Gavin dominates the stage. It’s really a sight to behold. And, then, when he announced that all of the proceeds from the show were going to rebuild his brother’s inn, the crowd went wild. It was absolutely electrifying.”
Tucker holds his lower back as he stands back up from pulling weeds in a flower bed. “Graham, if I were you, I don’t think I’d like the way her eyes light up when she’s talking about your brother.”
Graham grins over at me before saying, “I trust her.”
Returning his smile, I say to Tucker, “Graham hasnothingto worry about. I’m all his, in every way.”
Tucker does a dramatic pretend gagging gesture that makes us all chuckle.
