My guilt at not leaving when I had the chance made it hard for me to breathe let alone meet his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“Not your fault.”
“It is. That guy was after me.”
“So?”
At this, I met his steady gaze briefly, then looked away. “I’m endangering you both. I’d leave now, but.” I shrugged. “Declan pointed out I can’t leave until you’re better.”
“He’s a smart kid. Takes after me.”
“This isn’t funny, Avery. Next time, you could be killed. Or Declan – hurt. Killed.”
His healthy right-hand clasped mine. “Look, keep your secrets. I don’t care why this dude is after you. Only that he is. I promised to protect you, and it’s a promise I intend to keep.”
What could I say to that? I found nothing at all to say. I stared down at our linked hands, wondering whether luck was with me or against me. I’d been trapped into staying here because Avery and Declan needed me.Maybe I need them, too.
Leaning forward, I kissed his mouth. “I’ll get you pain pills, then change your bandage.”
“Okay.”
Declan and Max came into the room as I cut the old, stained wrap from Avery’s left arm. Declan leaned on the bed, watching avidly while Max jumped onto it and lay next to Avery.The wound, while red and angry, showed no appearance of any infection. Avery stroked the dog’s head and smiled wanly.
“See? I don’t get infections.”
Irritated, I snapped, “What are you? An alien?”
“No,” Declan answered, “we’re –”
“Just as human as you,” Avery said, overriding Declan. “I’m just lucky that way.”
I sighed heavily. “Somehow I don’t believe luck has anything to do with it.”
I carefully rewrapped his arm, then helped Avery to the bathroom. While he used the toilet, I returned to the kitchen to make him something to eat. Both Declan and Max followed me, Declan to help and Max to lay on the floor again. He still didn’t eat his food, though the kittens inspected his dish. The chunks of kibble were too big for them to crunch, so they made do by scooting the food across the tiles, then chasing them.
By the time Avery finished the eggs and toast I’d fixed him, the pain killers had kicked in. I tucked the covers around him as he drifted to sleep, then stood looking at his handsome features.Are we fated to be together? Is this why I’m deterred from leaving? That something or someone wants me here?
I’m not one to believe in a higher power. There’s still something to be said for forces in the universe making plans for all of us.
Or maybe I’m not right in the head and am seeing things that aren’t there.
***
“I have to leave town in a few days.”
As he healed, remarkably fast as he’d told me, Avery worked at the kitchen table on his laptop. He no longer required a bandage, as his wound had closed. The angry red shade had long since vanished. Shutting the computer down with a sigh, hesaid, “I hate to leave you alone, but this is a great account, if I can get it.”
“Don’t worry about us,” I said from the stove where I prepared another batch of mac and cheese with wieners. “We’ll be fine.”
At his silence, I glanced at him over my shoulder to find him staring at me. “What?”
“This guy could be watching the house,” he said at last. “He’ll know when I leave and you two are by yourselves.”
“Got a gun?” I asked lightly.
“No. But maybe I should go buy one.”
“I was joking. I’ve never fired a gun in my life.”
