Page 71 of Intangible
They had arrived in town late the night before, having driven the Bronco back from Tennessee. Stopping by the vet clinic, Memphis had picked up his truck before they checked into the only hotel in town. Knowing he no longer had a house for them to stay at, it was the only option.
Now, they were standing in front of what should have been the burned-out rubble of Memphis’ cabin. Instead, there was a beautiful new cabin standing in its place.
Turning in a slow circle, Memphis shook his head. It was the right place. Taking Thayer’s hand, Memphis led her up the steps onto the porch. Murphy had taken off to chase rabbits in the small wood behind the house as soon as they arrived.
“You don’t think the county seized my property, do you? Let some developer turn it into a vacation house?” Memphis asked, looking over at her.
“If so, your dog is now trespassing,” Thayer answered with a shrug. Memphis turned back to the front door, noticing for the first time that he could hear Murphy barking from somewhere inside.
Fishing his keys out of his pocket, he studied them for a moment before realizing there was a new one on the key ring. He had no idea when it could have appeared, although he did remember asking his receptionist to put together a new set of keys for him since the last one had been inside the cabin when it burned to the ground.
“Well, here’s hoping no one meets us with a shotgun.”
Sliding the key into the lock on the new front door, he raised his eyebrows at her when it opened. Once inside, he took a minute to look around. Murphy came bounding out of a back room toward them, barking happily.
The front door opened into a large living room. There was still a fireplace on the left wall, but this one was at least twice the size of the previous one. Slowly following Thayer to the right, he discovered a large gourmet kitchen with an adjourning dining room large enough to feed at least a dozen people comfortably.
“Look, Memphis. There’s a note taped to the fridge,” Thayer said, waving toward a large stainless steel double refrigerator. Taking the note down, Memphis followed Thayer as she headed down the hallway toward the back of the house. There were two bedrooms with a large bathroom between them, an office, and finally a master suite at the end.
The entire house had been furnished, so Memphis sank down on the end of a large king-size bed, opening the note.
Brother,
It seems only right that since I was possibly the reason your house burned down in the first place, that I be the one to fix it. Notice there is no confession of guilt, however.
I called in a few favors the day you left here in the Bronco, hoping that you would get to return shortly. Even then, I had a feeling you would need more room than your original floor plan provided.
It’s amazing what the locals were willing to do when they heard their beloved new veterinarian’s house had been destroyed by a random fire. They should be expecting you back at your clinic next week.
You might have to get off your ass for a change and do some work.
Knox
“Three months seems a little aggressive, even for Knox,” Thayer said, looking over Memphis’ shoulder at the note. Murphy ran through the room, disappearing out the dog door onto a deck attached to the back of the house. Memphis stood, shaking his head.
“I agree, he had to have had several crews working around the clock. But you won’t hear me complaining.” He tossed the note onto the new dresser. “Am I supposed to carry you over the threshold?” he asked Thayer. “It is a new house after all.”
“I think that’s only if you’re married. I’ve never heard anything about that if you’re just living together.” She laughed. “Besides, I know you still need a little more time to heal before lugging anything heavy around.”
“I wouldn’t be opposed to that, you know.”
“To what? Lugging around a bunch of weight?”
Memphis rolled his eyes at Thayer’s words. He could only stand fighting with her over how perfect she was in his eyes so often.
“To us getting married.” He looked back over the note. “Though, if you’re just sticking around out of some sort of obligation for helping you, then I don’t know.”
Thayer cocked her head at him. Standing up, she crossed her arms over her chest. Cocking one hip out, she watched him pointedly ignoring her though, to be perfectly honest, he really wanted an answer.
It was silly, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered if she stayed with him out of some misplaced loyalty. She had stayed by his side the entire time he was in the hospital, only leaving when Knox and Randall physically carried her out so she could get some sleep.
She had stayed with him when he had moved back into the bedroom at the loft, waiting on him until he was able to take care of himself. But even after everything, he couldn’t help but worry.
“Do you think I’m here just because you found me in some pit?” Thayer asked softly. When he didn’t answer, Thayer walked slowly toward him until she was standing as close to him as she could get without touching.
“I do love that you rescued me… three times.” He met her eyes with his deep green ones.
“But, Memphis, that’s not the only reason why I love you. I also love you because you’re kind, funny, sweet, loyal, smart, fierce, protective, and a thousand other reasons. So, yes, I do love you for saving me. But if that’s all you think you mean to me, then I’ll go right now.”
