Page 51 of Noble Neighbor
He’s in the past, Sunny.
And dead. The dead don’t rise.
She sucked in air, trying to breathe the nausea away.
And made it to the cloakroom just in time. Shaking,she clung to the side of the toilet bowl after her stomachhad emptied. A damp towel nudged against her hand, and she gratefully blotted her face before turning to see Oliver hunched beside her.
Worry etched his features as he scanned her face. “Done?”
With a weak nod, she pushed against the cool porcelain and accepted Oliver’s support till she was upright.
“Sunny?” Oliver brushed a lock of hair away from her eye.
He deserved an answer. As honest as she could make it. “Just some … memories. I’m over it.”
So over it.Enough was enough. The past was done.
“You okay to go?”
She nodded. “Unless you don’t want—”
Oliver placed a finger over her mouth. “I want.”
He didn’t have to explain the underlying meaning in his words. She understood. Turning to the door, Sunny added, “Give me a minute. I need to brush my teeth. Check my makeup.”
Sunny walked out of the cloakroom to find three worried faces staring at her. She managed a smile. “Must’ve been something I ate. I’m okay now, but just popping up to brush my teeth, because” — she scrunched her nose and wriggled her fingers in front of it — “ew.”
*
“Enjoying your food?” Oliver asked, watching Sunny scarf down her dinner, grateful she seemed to have recovered from her earlier upset.
“This chicken” — she pointed to a piece she’d pried from the bone — “best I’ve tasted. Likeever.”
Oliver agreed the roast chicken was good. Crispy skin, tender and moist flesh. Best ever? Not quite. His dad’s was better, and he made a mental note to invite Sunny and her girls over for supper when his dad roasted a chicken.
“I can’t cook chicken anymore,” she continued. “Molly won’t eat it. Not even nuggets. Not since we got the hens.”
Scrap the chicken meal. “Got yourself a budding vegetarian?”
“Hope not. But I’m rethinking the cows, that’s for sure.” Sunny grinned and sat back, patting her stomach. “So pleased my dress has some give.”
Ah yes, her dress. Spellbound, he’d watched her walk down the stairs.
He’d always thought her attractive, but dressed up, hair styled, and a touch of makeup, she was absolutely gorgeous. The soft material hugged her figure, revealing just enough cleavage to make him salivate.
He now knew a bit of the bounty that lay hidden; he wanted more.
Much more, and later, if he were a lucky man, he’d undo the bow keeping her dress together and peel it from her.
“I’m off to the ladies’,” Bella announced, pushing her chair back.
Ruth stood. “Me, too.” As did the woman beside her. Jill? Jackie? Judy? He couldn’t remember, as he hadn’t been paying attention. She was Beau’s date, and he was intent on avoiding the man.
Sunny shoved her last mouthful in. “Wait,” she garbledand reached for her clutch. Oliver stood and moved her chair out for her.
“Thanks,” she murmured, brushing past him, only to bend over Molly seated at the kiddies table beside them. The little girl shook her head vigorously, and Sunny rushed to join the other women a few steps ahead.
He couldn’t help but stare after her, enjoying the way the blue material clung to her utterly delectable posterior.
