“You know,” I said conversationally, as I took hold of his arm. “A wise person doesn’t turn away help when they need it.”
He gave a short exhale, but didn’t pull his arm away. “Seems like all I’ve done is ask for help. Kind of getting tired of it.”
“All right,” I said, as we took the stairs slowly. “Then make some plans to help someone. Pay it back.”
“I’d like,” he paused to catch his breath. “I want to help you, Ricks. Pay you back for this, but also...I’d like to make amends. Do something...good. For you. Somehow.”
“What, like fix my plumbing? Clean the gutters?”
He gave a short laugh. “Yes. If that would help. Yes.”
I heard the question in his words, heard the plea. But I wasn’t sure how to deal with that yet.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good,” he said. “Good.”
ChapterTen
I was temptedto just let him sleep on the couch, but he stank and was covered in grit and mud.
“Keep going,” I ordered, as I changed direction and got us aimed toward the nearest bathroom. “You need to shower.”
He said something, but it came out in a mumble I couldn’t decipher.
The bathroom was between two guest rooms. I steered Card into it and sat him on the closed toilet.
The bathroom wasn’t fussy, just knotty wood walls, white porcelain, and brushed bronze fixtures. I stepped around him to start the shower, holding my fingers under the spray and waiting for the hot water. I adjusted the temperature and turned to Card.
“Okay, you got this?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “I...yeah. Thanks for... Thanks.”
I pointed at the towel on the shelf. “Clean towel there. Soap in the shower. Use the scrubber. You reek.”
He smiled. “Yeah.”
“Don’t put your clothes in the hamper, just leave them on the floor. I’ll put them in the wash as soon as you’re done.”
At his frown, I said, “I have a pair of sweats and a T-shirt you can change into.”
“Probably good,” he said, plucking at his shirt. It peeled away from his skin with a tearing tape sound.
“Card?”
He looked up at me, blinked until his vision cleared. “Yes, Ricks?”
“Don’t pass out and drown in my shower, okay? I don’t want to be on the hook with Fate alone.”
“No. I got this.” He braced his hand on the counter, pushed to his feet, then tugged his shirt, drawing it up and over his head.
I tried not to look at all that muscle, covered in mud, scratches and bruises, and failed completely. I had to force myself to walk out the door and shut it behind me.
I leaned on the shut door for a moment and exhaled. God, he was good looking. One-hundred percent trouble, but damn good looking.
“I started the kettle for tea.” Val appeared at my elbow and grinned.
I’d wondered where he’d been. “I love you.”
