“I’m suddenly very tired,” I admit.“I worked a double shift and then stayed late for the pediatric Christmas party and then, well, there was the whole falling through the ice thing.”
“Do you want something to eat first?”
“I could really go for a bowl of crunchy cinnamon cereal in two-percent organic milk.”
“Expired Beefaroni it is.”
I smile at him and almost laugh, but I really am exhausted.“I think I need rest more than food.”
“Of course.”Evander turns to the clothesline he’s strung by the fireplace.He grabs all my clothes and walks back to me with his arms full.“Bundle up in whatever will keep you warm and comfortable.Feel free to use the facilities while I set up our bed by the fire.”
Our bed.
He says it so matter-of-factly.Like it’s no big thing.Like we’re an old married couple whose shared the same bed for the last forty years.
“I’ll turn away while you step out of the blankets,” he says.
“Pffft.”I stand up, the old wool falling away from my bare legs.“Kinda late for modesty, wouldn’t you say?Trade you.”
I hold out the edge of the blankets to him before I take the clothes from his arms.Then I turn away.My plan is to walk toward the back room, as if I don’t care that he’s staring at my thighs and calves.
Let him look.I’m an adult woman.A woman who’s unashamed of the thoroughly sensual being she’s become.
Only one problem—now that I’m facing away from the firelight, I’m as blind as a mole rat.
“You might want to take this.”Evander reaches over my shoulder and holds the battery-operated lantern by its thin aluminum handle.
“Thank you.”I snatch it from him.
“I need to finish cleaning off the roof.”
“Sounds good,” I say, still facing away from him.
It’s a horrible lie, since it doesn’t sound good at all.I get it.He’s explained the safety concern, and I know why he has to do it.But I don’t have to like that he’s doing it.
“See you in a bit, Phoebe.”
I turn in time to see him disappear behind the plastic tarp.
CHAPTER 21
Evander
Day 2
December 18
I'm the kind of man who knows what to do.Instinctively.That’s why I'm still alive.Instinct and intuition are skills that every Navy SEAL learns to identify and heed.
Fortunately for all of us MacLaine boys, we come by it naturally.We were born with the innate ability to quickly assess a situation and figure out how to respond to it.That’s how we did the job required of us in the Navy and got our asses home, all of us in one piece.
So, on those extremely rare occasions when I’m not clear on the best next step, it pisses me off.Like the dilemma I’m facing right now.The pickle I’m in.
I don’t know what to do about Phoebe.
DowithPhoebe.
I don’t like feeling off balance like this.
