Garrett turned around and gave her a look that suggested he’d caught on to what she’d been referring to. “Good.” A smirk played on his lips, but then he pulled out a glass baking dish and let the refrigerator door close behind him. “Did you find the antibiotic ointment? I can get you more tomorrow. I also have over the counter painkillers you can take after you eat.”
“Yes, I found it, and pain killers would be great.” Her head was still throbbing, though not as bad as earlier.
He cut two slices of the lasagna and stuck them in the microwave for a few minutes, then put the rest back in the fridge.
“You know, technically, I already ate dinner tonight,” she said, then remembered, “oh, your sandwich and salad are still outside the back door.” She started to stand, but Garrett held out his hand to stop her.
“I’ll get it,” he said, gently taking her hand in his. “I haven’t had anyone cook for me in quite some time.”
“I know what it’s like to get caught up with work and then have to go to bed hungry because you’re too tired to cook anything. Obviously, my work isn’t life or death, but all the more reason you should have a meal waiting for you, especially on those nights you work late.”
It had been so long since she’d been with anyone or wanted to be with anyone. She definitely hadn’t planned on falling for the guy who saved her from Vivian, but here she was, sitting in his kitchen, soaking up every minute she could with him, and falling deeper and harder than she ever thought possible.
***
Garrett had completely forgotten about the sandwich until Reese mentioned it, but the sweet thoughtfulness of her gesture hit him square in the chest all over again. She couldn’t look him in the eye, but he didn’t need to see her eyes to know just howmuch she cared. “I’ll take the sandwich and salad with me for lunch tomorrow, but tonight, I want to eat with you, like we’d originally planned. If that’s okay.”
Reese smiled, and it was all the confirmation he needed that he’d said the right thing. He heated up the lasagna and joined her at the table. It had been such a long time since he’d shared a meal with anyone in his kitchen. The memories weren’t all good, but right now, he only wanted to focus on Reese. She forked some of the pasta and Garrett watched her take the first bite. There was something erotic about the way she ate, and especially when she let out a little moan. “This is really good.”
“Thanks,” Garrett said. “I wouldn’t call myself a chef, but I know my way around a kitchen.”
Reese laughed. “Okay, now I know you can cook. Tell me more about yourself. I told you about me and my art, and you know plenty about my step brother. I feel like I hardly know much about you at all.”
Garrett thought about it for a moment and realized she was right. “Let’s see, I have a sister who lives in San Diego. She’s the communications manager for the football team out there.”
“Really?” Reese asked. “That sounds like an interesting career.”
“Are you a football fan?” Garrett asked.
Reese shrugged. “As much as anyone, I guess. I heard they’ve had quite a turn around these last few years. The new players they brought on last season have really turned things around for them.”
“Yeah, it’s not always easy being a team player, but they seem to be making it work.”
“Do you usually work alone or with a team as a Texas Ranger?”
“We’ve had plenty of times where there were multiple Texas Rangers on one case, but I find that more often than not,I’m usually on my own, unless I’m in a situation that requires backup.”
“Does that happen a lot?” Reese asked. She’d been doing her best to keep her gaze away from his, and he felt bad that this was so hard for her.
“Hold on a sec.” Garrett stood, and went to turn on a lamp by the couch, then turned off the light in the kitchen. “How’s that?” He asked, sitting down at the table with his back to the light.
Her expression softened and she smiled. “Much better. Thank you.”
“No problem. Now, what did you ask me - oh, right. It happens sometimes. I mean, it’s obviously not every day. Like at the school, I’ll be on my own, but I can have back up there within about ten minutes if I need it. Texas Rangers also work with local police and FBI units that we can call on for help. It’s not as dangerous as it might sound.”
“And yet, you hear about Texas Rangers getting hurt all the time. I mean, police and FBI too, but you’re a Texas Ranger.”
Garrett smiled and put a hand to his chest. “Reese Graham, is this your way of saying that you worry about me?”
Reese nibbled her bottom lip and studied the food on her plate like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Even though he had no real claim on this woman, knowing that she cared that much about him meant a lot. Garrett covered her hand with his. “I always take every precaution,” he assured her. “You have nothing to worry about, but thank you for caring.”
“Of course, I care,” she said. “And yes, I worry.”
Her words came out soft, and he remembered how she’d admitted to not wanting to look into his eyes because she didn’t want to see his moment of death. “I care about you, too. I know coming to live with me here wasn’t exactly planned, but I am glad you’re here. I meant what I said earlier. I want you to stay.”
Reese smiled. “Me too.”
They spent the rest of the meal talking about nothing in particular. Garrett told her about some of his old cases, obviously avoiding the more dangerous scenarios he’d found himself in over the years, and Reese shared how her love of art, and especially mixed media art, started as a hobby that turned into a passion and quickly became a career.
