Samantha pushedopen the door and I lost my breath for a second. She was the most beautifulwoman I’d ever seen. Long dark, wavy, hair, alabaster skin, and her hazel eyescrinkled at the corners when she smiled. Not much, mind you, because the womanlooked younger than me.
“Hi, honey.” Shecocked her head. “Lennox, is it?”
I bobbed my headup and down, unable to find my voice.
“May I come in?”
I nodded again.
“Is it okay ifmy daughter comes as well? This is Billie.” She turned slightly and Phineas’ssister, Billie, peeked her head in with a gentle smile. Unlike Samantha, Billiewas blonde, with deep blue eyes and freckles on the bridge of her nose andcheeks. You could tell she laughed a lot, and I got the impression she didn’ttake life particularly seriously.
“Hi, Lennox,”Billie said, setting some paper bags in the corner.
I raised my handand gave her a wave, but I still wasn’t able to speak.
“Are you hungry,honey?” Samantha asked.
“You’reAmerican?” I blurted out. “Sorry, that was rude.”
She chuckled.“You’re fine, honey. I’m sure this is all extremely overwhelming. Yes, I amAmerican. Of course, I’ve been living here quite a while now.”
“Where’s Phin.Is he okay?”
“He’s with hisfather and brother,” Samantha said. “He’s working some things out, but wethought we’d fix some food, so if you’d like something to eat, come on out tothe kitchen when you feel up to it, okay?”
“I brought someclothes for you,” Billie said, pointing to the bags she’d brought in earlier.“They’re new.”
I blinked. “Howdid you know my size?”
“Phin kind ofguessed, so if they don’t fit, we’ll return them.” Billie smiled. “I alsograbbed some shampoo and conditioner and skincare things that I think you’ll like.Boys have no idea about that kind of stuff.”
“Oh, thank you.Please let me know how much they cost, and I’ll pay you back.”
Billie screwedup her face in horror. “Ah, no you won’t. If you don’t use them, I will.”
“Well, thankyou.”
“Okay, we’llgive you some time to change, honey,” Samantha said. “Let us know if you needanything.”
Once Samanthaand Billie left me, I grabbed the bags, dumping them on the bed. Billie hadthought of everything, down to underwear. I blushed as I sorted through thesoft cotton bikini panties and a few sexy pairs of silk ones that I would neverbe bold enough to put on.
I found a pairof lounge pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt, so I took a quick shower and thengot dressed, heading out to the tiny little kitchen to find Samantha and Billiesetting plates on the makeshift table by the window.
“Hi, sweetie,are you hungry?” Samantha asked.
“A little,” Isaid, as the room suddenly grew chilled, and I ran my hands over my arms.
“Let me get youa blanket,” Billie said, heading down the hall and returning with the tartanblanket Phineas had given me earlier.
“Thank you.” Iwrapped it around my shoulders, and not only felt warm again, but overwhelmingpeace. “Is Phin okay?”
“Yes.” Samanthasmiled. “He should be back any time. Have a seat, honey.”
“Those clothesfit perfectly,” Billie said. “Did you try everything?”
“No, just theseso far. Thank you again.” I ran my fingers over the fabric of the T-shirt.“They’re the nicest thing I’ve ever worn.”
Samantha andBillie glanced at each other but didn’t comment, then Billie joined me at thetable.
