Heat erupted on Monica’s cheeks. “I don’t want to cause any problems. I can make it to a hotel.”
“No.” He shot her a glare that left no room for argument. “I’m sleeping in the camper, Jenna can take my room, and you can have the guest room. It’s settled.”
She saluted him. “Yes, Sir.”
Jenna also did at the same time, then they burst into laughter. “Do you have any brothers?”
“Only a sister.”
“You’re lucky.” Jenna shot Rex an annoyed glance. “They’re a pain.”
“But you love me.” Rex wagged his brows and let go of Monica to drape his arm around Jenna’s shoulders in a brotherly fashion.
“For who knows what reason.” Jenna swatted him, then looked at Monica. “Do you have any idea what it’s like being the youngest of four and the only girl?”
Rex scoffed. “You enjoyed every second of it and still do. You had Dad wrapped around your little finger, and Mom not far behind.”
Jenna’s cheeks twitched and she broke out in a wide grin. “He’s not lying.”
“Where are your bags?” Rex left the porch, heading toward Monica’s car. “I’ll bring them in for you.”
“I’ll get them.” She strolled over and popped the trunk before Rex could protest.
Not to be deterred, he reached in and grabbed the smaller bag. “Everything you need for the night’s in here, right?”
In the past she would have been annoyed, but now she found comfort in the fact he knew her so well. “Yes.”
She followed him into the house and down the hallway to the second door on the right. A full-size bed with only the mattress and frame, no headboard or footboard, was pressed against the far wall. There was no dresser or nightstand. The only other piece of furniture was a bookshelf that housed equal amounts of trophies and books.
Rex placed her bag on the bed covered with a moss green comforter. “I don’t have many overnight visitors. I can find something to act as a nightstand for you.”
“Don’t worry about it. This is fine.”
“Help yourself to anything you need.” He gestured out the door, toward the kitchen. “There’s tea and coffee in the cabinet, and sodas and water in the fridge. There are some snack crackers in the cabinet that you can have if you get hungry.”
“Thanks.”
He rocked on his heels. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Leaning in, he kissed her cheek, then left, closing the door behind him.
Monica sat on the edge of the bed and buried her head in her hands. Exhaustion combined with seeing Rex had her in emotional overload. They hadn’t figured anything out, except they wanted to be together. Wasn’t that all that mattered? Where there was a will, there was a way. She rubbed her eyes, then covered a yawn with her hand.
A knock sounded on the door. “It’s Jenna. I brought you a towel and extra pillow.”
She got up and trudged to the door, opened it. “Thanks.”
“I stole my brother’s pillow from his bed. I know firsthand how flat the ones are in here.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s no problem. Rex is a guy and doesn’t think about comforts like that.” Jenna smiled. “That’s why I bring my own pillow whenever I plan to stay with him.”
“Smart idea. He mentioned there’s tea in the cabinet. Do you know which one?” She stretched her arms. “Tired as I am, I need to unwind before trying to sleep.”
“It’s right above the coffeemaker. I had him buy a box of herbal tea and kettle the first time I spent the night. The kettle’s on the stove from when I heated water earlier.”
