“But my husband—”
“Abused you. You can’t trust his word. I don’t know why he complained about your weight. I think you’re beautiful, and I wish you could see it.” She glanced at him and wondered if the heat she saw in his eyes was just a trick of the fading afternoon sunlight.
Lily looked at the photos of the catwalk models and the images in the art book. “You’re right, but…ugh…look at me, Clay. Really. I’m out of shape. I probably couldn’t walk half a mile without getting winded.” And that wasn’t the only problem she had, thinking of the tattoo again.
Clay smiled and shrugged. “So get in shape, but don’t kill yourself trying to lose weight, especially not to please someone else. Any man who thinks you should lose weight needs to pull his head out of his ass. You can make use of the elliptical trainer in your bedroom if you want to. My neighborhood is pretty quiet so you could walk if the weather’s nice. I might even walk with you. I don’t get to the gym to lift weights as often as I used to, but after you’re fully recovered you could come with me, if Emma okays it. But don’t pressure yourself to do that if it doesn’t make you happy.”
That was exactly the point, she realized. She had no idea what made her happy because she was used to being in avoidance mode with JT. Avoiding outbursts, avoiding trouble of any kind, avoiding angering him. She had avoided so much for so long she had no idea what it was she wanted to do to make herself happy.
How screwed up am I?
Lily nodded and sat back. “You’re right, Clay. Thank you. It’s going to take a little time. I’ve thought of myself as fat, sloppy, and lazy for a long time.”
“Probably because he used those words on you like a mantra. No more. If you want to work out on the elliptical, you can. Now, woman, I cooked and I expect you to eat,” he said as he rose from the couch.
She allowed him to help her to a standing position and then seat her at the table in the kitchen. The shrimp and broccoli stir-fry was incredibly good, and she ate every mouthwatering bite. She couldn’t recall a more satisfying meal.
Afterward, they relaxed in the living room and watched television. Clay had placed a big, fluffy pillow on the couch next to him for her to lay her head on and that was where she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Six
Clay sat beside Lily, her head resting on the pillow. She’d seemed so exhausted, he’d decided to not press her to talk any further. Time would heal a lot of her wounds and there was no reason for him to rush the process. He was inordinately pleased that she was staying with him. Her house had been a mess, and he’d wondered how she would manage the cost of the extensive repairs.
Lily shifted suddenly and clenched her hand resting on the pillow into a fist. She whimpered, and her whole body went rigid. Feeling for her, Clay laid his hand on her shoulder and gently stroked her arm, hoping to soothe her back into peaceful sleep. He tucked a stray dark lock behind her ear and then stroked her soft cheek with the tips of his fingers. She shuddered lightly but seemed to settle after that. Clay silently cursed the bastard who was responsible for her nightmare.
She was supposed to see Emma the following week to have her stitches removed, and Clay wondered if maybe counseling would be a good idea. She had issues with her appearance that bothered him. She viewed herself in a very negative light, and it made him sad because she was truly beautiful, beneath the tired, beaten-down exterior. He was glad he’d chosen to get involved last Saturday after the accident.
Once she’d relaxed into deeper sleep, Clay rose from the couch and went to her room to turn down the quilt and covers on her bed. Lifting her gently, he carried her to her room. He enjoyed the warm, solid weight of her in his arms. The tingling in his groin signaled that other parts liked it as well. He felt a little guilty because there was no way she’d be interested in men right now. It was a testament to just how tired she was that she never stirred once.
* * * *
“Thanks for letting me use your phone, Clay. I probably should’ve called Dad last night.”
“You’re welcome, Lil,” Clay replied as he opened the windows in the living room. The morning was cool, and they’d decided to open the house and let the fresh air blow through.
Lily discovered that morning that her phone, while fully charged, was completely useless. JT had shut off her number. She counted herself lucky because the only way she’d hear from him now was through her lawyer. That was fine with her.
“Mind if I sit on your back porch?”
“My house is your house,” Clay replied as he fought with a stiff window lock.
She slipped out of the back door and carefully took a seat in one of his Adirondack chairs. The treed, shady yard was dappled here and there with sunlight, and she sighed happily as she breathed in the cool, dry autumn air. It seemed she had arrived in Divine as the seasons changed, and she felt invigorated by it.
The incision site ached a little, and she made a mental note to take her pain meds later as she dialed her dad’s telephone number.
He answered warily on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Dad? It’s me.”
“Hey, sweetie! How are you feelin’ today?”
“A little better.”
“Are you still in the hospital? Tell me what’s goin’ on. Do you need me?”
Lily smiled at the earnest sound of his deep, rough voice. “Just to hear your voice is enough.” She fought the lump in her throat. Even though he was sick, he was willing to come get her. If he did, he’d insist on her living with him. There was no way she’d return to Durst.
“Did you get settled? Is the house okay?”
“I’m settled. And the house is…going to need some work.”
“Where are you staying, Lily? Do you need money? I’ll come and get you.”
“Dad, listen. It’s okay. I’m staying with Clay Cook. I’m fine. The house needs a lot done before I can live in it, but I’m going to make it work. I’ll be just fine.” She wasn’t just saying the words, either. This morning she believed anything was possible. “I got out of the hospital yesterday and I already have a job, too.”
“You do? Wow! I knew you could do anything if you just got away from that no-good bastard. JT’s mother had the gall to call me to commiserate.” Lily rolled her eyes wondering how the call from the widow King had gone. She could envision her dad’s full-body shudder at the thought.
“He came to the hospital, the same morning that I talked to you.”
“That son of a bitch!”
“I never even saw him, Dad. He got rowdy with the sheriff and one of his deputies. I think he went to jail for it. I don’t know if he’s still here or not.”
“He’s home. I saw him in town. He had some floozy in the truck with him, too. You’re lucky to be done with him, baby girl.”
At the gentle tap on her shoulder she looked up at Clay. He held out a glass of water and two pain pills. He stood there and waited for her to take them then hand the glass back to him. She mouthed “thank you,” and he grinned and sauntered back to the door.
She was distracted from what her father was saying as she watched him walk away. Dressed in faded jeans, a plain white T-shirt, and tan cowboy boots, he was a handsome sight. Clay Cook had grown up quite nicely. Her nipples hardened and her cheeks went up in flames when she realized he was watching her ogle his ass. He gave her that crooked grin and went inside.
Girl, get a grip. He’s so out of your league. He’s just being your friend.
Her strong friend, evidenced by the fact that he’d carried her to bed the previous night, despite her protests earlier that day that she was much, much too heavy for him to lift. She’d awakened utterly embarrassed but thankful at least that she was still dressed in the clothes she’d fallen asleep in. Not that Clay would’ve done anything as ungentlemanly as undress her for bed.
Darn it. Get real, girl. Don’t forget the tattoo. You’re off limits. Period.
“Darlin’? You still there?”
“Oh,
yeah, Dad. Sorry. I—uh, got distracted. What were you saying?”
“Just that you shouldn’t worry. I’m sure it’ll all work out soon enough with the house. I’m glad to hear that you’ve got a place to stay. Where’s your job at?”
“Clay has a position open at his shop. He’s a jewelry craftsman.”
“Clay Cook, huh? Stayin’ with him and workin’ for him? I always thought those boys were a little sweet on you.” Lily rolled her eyes at the knowing tone of his deep drawl.
The heat flamed in her cheeks again, and she covered her eyes with her hand as she said, “Dad! It’s not like that. Clay met JT up close and personal the other day. He understands and he just wants to help me. There’s nothing going on between us.”
“Well, I don’t imagine there is with you still recovering from surgery. But you’ll eventually get over what JT did to you, and you’ll move on. I’m sorry we didn’t stay more in touch with the Cooks. They were good people. You could do a whole lot worse.”
“Dad, the last thing I want or need is another relationship. I think I’m through with men, dating and all that stuff. It was bad with JT, so bad sometimes I feel…dead inside.”
“Aw, darlin’, don’t say that. There’s always hope. Plus, I need grandchildren.”
Oh, Lord! Kill me now! “Dad!”
* * * *
Clay sipped his coffee, smiling when he caught a snippet of her conversation as he sat reading the paper at the kitchen table. Hearing her say she felt dead inside wasn’t good, but he thought how much he’d like the opportunity to resuscitate her. Time was his friend.
Feelings for her were stirring inside him. Without a doubt his protective instincts were revved to life, but he was also having a hard time keeping his eyes and his thoughts off of her as a woman. He’d reacted to her heated gaze just a few minutes before and wondered what was going on in her head, too. She needed time to heal, but if she kept giving him looks like that, he’d have a hard time reining in his inner horndog. Working with her was also going to present a challenge to his rampant libido.
The cool breeze blowing through the screen door ruffled through the notepad lying on the table. He glanced at the list she’d started while eating breakfast.
Find a divorce lawyer. Talk to a contractor. Make appointment with doctor. Go to work.
Go to work? He shook his head as she came in the back screen door.
“Dad said to tell you hello and thank you for taking care of his little girl.” Her cheeks were flushed and she avoided direct eye contact with him, but she didn’t appear upset. He remembered her dad being a kidder. Maybe he’d been teasing with her.
“Is he still in Durst?”
She took her seat at the table across from him. “Yes. I think he would have come with me but his health is failing. He has melanoma. Too many years of working unprotected in the sun. It’s spread.”
He placed his hand over hers. “Lil, I’m sorry. Does he want to be here with you?”
“No. I asked him. He said he wants to be buried next to Mom.”
“It’s that bad?” At her sad nod, he continued, “He could move into assisted living or a nursing center here and…we could always take him back to Durst if that’s where he wants to be laid to rest.”
Lily looked up at him, and tears pooled in her amber eyes. “You’d do that.” The faint smile and nod of her head told him she was making a statement and not asking a question. She shook her head. “He’s stubborn. I’ve told him he has other options besides living the rest of his life there. He insists he’d be a burden and his coffee shop buddies are there. Who would help them sit around all day drinking coffee, solving the world’s problems without him there?” She shook her head ruefully and dragged a finger beneath her eye to wipe away a tear. “It’s one of the reasons I stayed in Durst as long as I did. I was afraid if I left it was unlikely I would see him again.”
Bullshit.
“Lily, we’ll make sure you get to see him again. What does his doctor say?”
“I don’t know. He always insisted on going to his appointments alone. The doctor has told him that his time is limited. Clay, you don’t need to worry about this. I can handle it, if I’m called back to take care of…things.”
He twined his fingers with hers, enjoying the feel of her delicate hand clasped with his. “You’ve been handling everything on your own a long time, Lily. Let me help, okay? You let me know what you need. Agreed?” At her noncommittal nod, he asked, “Now, what’s on your agenda for today?”
“Do I have time for some phone calls before we go to the shop?”
Clay’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes, you can use my phone to make whatever phone calls you need. Who’s this ‘we’ going to the shop?”
“I’d like to get started right away. Strike while the iron is hot. I need to pay you back for my car repairs. I need to learn my job so you don’t change your mind and decide me working for you is a bad idea.”
Clay smirked at her attempt to use mild humor to deflect his real question. He pointed to the couch. “Your only job today is staying on that couch, or in bed, and recovering from your trauma and recent major surgery. I can’t believe you thought you were working today.”
“I’m anxious to get started. I feel good.” She looked out the back door, clearly at war with herself as she wrung her hands together.
“I’m glad you feel better but it’s still early in the day. You don’t need to spend that much time on your feet, not this soon. You’re not indestructible and there’s no longer any reason for you to operate under duress. Lil, look at me,” he murmured when it seemed as though she was disregarding his words.
When she turned her gaze on him, his heart clenched in his chest. She was like a wounded doe, waiting for the next blow. She really was afraid he’d change his mind. He crouched down in front of her and lifted her chin so he could see her amber eyes.
“Lil, the job is yours. Period. End of discussion. I’m not going to get impatient, or demanding, or angry because you can’t start right now.”
“I’m sorry, Clay. I’m not trying to be difficult. I need for this arrangement to work out. I don’t want to risk you changing your mind.”
“I’m not going to change my mind. As a matter of fact, I need to have a little time before you start to set things up. I’ve had just one employee in the showroom for years. I need to work out your new responsibilities and…” Where do I begin on dealing with Tabitha? She’ll blow a gasket for sure.
Lily frowned. “And what?”
“Your coworker. I’ll need to smooth things over for her. Tabitha’s worked for me for a few years, and she’s a little set in her ways.”
Boy, now there’s an understatement. In quick succession, Clay pictured a large angry cat with its fur standing up on end, a chicken with its feathers all ruffled, and a riled up wolverine defending its nest. This is going to call for diplomacy, Cook.
Lily sat up straight, looking a little uncertain. “Clay. Are you sure this is a good idea? I do not want to take someone else’s job.”
Clay shook his head and smirked. “There will be plenty for you to do. Trust me, Lily. There are certain parts of the job that she doesn’t deal with as well as others. I’ll make some decisions today at the shop, let her know about the changes, and talk with you tonight. I’ll need some time to settle her down and soothe her angst a little.” Clay thought it might also be a good idea to set limits on how much Tabitha knew about Lily’s past to limit her gossiping.
“Settle her down? Soothe her angst?” Clay liked the flash of spirit in her eyes, at least until worry clouded them. “That doesn’t sound like a good way for me to start working with her…for her. Oh, no. Will she be my boss?”
No fucking way in hell I’d entrust you to her. Not after what you’ve been through.
“No. I’d be your boss. You would not be subordinate to her, but she would be showing you the ropes in the showroom. I’d also like to train you to help me as well.” The thought of her quiet
presence beside him in the workroom was pleasing. He hoped to teach her to craft some of the genital jewelry items his online customers ordered. Explaining to her how they worked was going to be an exercise in self-torture that he actually looked forward to.
That idea seemed to intrigue her, and she smiled. “I’d like to work with you. I’m curious about what you do.”
“Business is good and we have enough traffic through the store that more help is warranted and you could assist me in staying caught up with my Internet orders. We’ll talk more about it tonight.”
“Okay.”
“Make your appointment with Doctor Guthrie. After she sees you, we’ll be able to determine the date you start working.”
She pointed back toward the bedroom and asked, “If I feel up to it, can I try out the—”
Clay shook his head in disbelief. “You never give up, do you? No. No elliptical until Emma approves it.”
Lily scrunched up her mouth for a second and said, “I hope she can see me right away. I’m accustomed to staying busy.”
“Lily, you’re accustomed to working yourself to the bone. You’re going to rest and release yourself from that mindset.”
A reluctant smile crossed her face. “You’re a very persistent man.”
“You knew that about me years ago. Get your butt on that couch and make your calls. I’ll come home at lunch.” He laughed when she stuck her tongue out at him, but then he dragged her warm, curvy form into his arms for a hug. God, she feels so good!
She trembled but then relaxed and tightened her arms around him. He’d startled her with the sudden contact. “Sorry. I just—” Needed you against me. Slow down, Cook. He bit his cheek to hold back the groan when she held on tighter and pressed against him. Her breasts were so soft, cushioned against his chest, and he wanted to just sink into her.
The Divine Creek Ranch Collection Volume 4 Page 24