She opened the back door. “We’re here, Granny.”
Nothing. Then a soft snore.
Rance came up behind her. “What’s the?—”
“She’s asleep.”
“I wondered. She’s hardly ever that quiet. Let me get her out. The front door’s unlocked. If you’ll go open it, I’ll carry her in.”
“I’ll turn down her covers, too.”
“Thanks. She might wake up when I haul her out, but having her bed ready is a good idea.”
“I’m on it.” She hurried toward the cabin, mindful of the icy steps and porch as she made her way to the door. Would Rance have any trouble navigating them while carrying Granny?
Warmth poured through the door when she opened it. After securing it with a doorstop, she raced for Granny’s room, tossed back the covers and ran back to the front door.
Rance cradled a still-sleeping Granny against his chest as he eyed the porch steps.
“They’re slippery. Can I do anything?”
“There’s a bucket of ash on the hearth. I’ll feel better making the climb if you’d pour a bunch on the steps. I’ve tried to wake her but she’s down for the count.”
“Be right back.” She quickly located the bucket and returned.
“Just toss it down the middle.” He moved away.
She aimed for the bottom step first, then worked her way to the top. After emptying the bucket , she glanced up. “How’s that?”
“Perfect. You’re hired. I need one more favor, though. There’s a stack of old towels in my workout room. I need you to lay towels along the path to Granny’s room. This stuff will stick to my boots and I don’t want ash on my hardwood floors.”
“Will do.” Moving fast, she found the towels. She had two laid down when a steady thump, thump on the steps signaled he was on his way.
She’d made it into Granny’s bedroom when his measured tread told her he was safely inside. She put down a couple towels crossways on one side of Granny’s bed in case he needed to maneuver as he lowered her to the mattress.
When she walked out of the bedroom, he was coming her way. She moved to the far side of the hall to give him plenty of space. “I’ll get the front door.”
“Thanks.”
By the time she returned, he’d laid her on the bed and worked her out of her coat.
“She really is a deep sleeper.”
“I wonder if she took out her hearing aids.”
“That could explain it.”
Setting her shoes by the bed, he glanced over his shoulder. “Any chance you’d be willing to take over? At least get her out of this dress?”
“Sure.”
He straightened with a sigh of relief and turned toward her. “If you weren’t here I’d man up and do it.”
“But I am.” She smiled. “Go turn on your laptop. It’s the scene where Sophia seduces Dooley.”
His expression brightened. “That’s what you want to work on?”
“Yes.”
