Page 16 of Guarding Glenda

“Chinese is always better the second day, anyway.” Her dimples popped, but she fought a grin.

“That it is. Let me put this stuff away, then I’ll come back and help you out of here.”

I put the leftovers away and came back to Glenda, dropping the rest of the fries for Bruce.

Once he took care of them, I moved the tray out of the way, then helped her from the bed. She made it to the bathroom a little faster than earlier, but still slow. When she was done, I helped her down the hall.

“You’re moving fast,” I told her.

“Oh yeah. Ricky Bobby over here.”

Huffing, I led her to my room and stopped to flip the light on. She paused, looked around, then kept walking toward the bed.

It wasn’t high off the ground, but she was petite and still moving gingerly, so I pulled the covers back, then helped her up. Her hands gripped my shoulders as I lifted her and I couldn’t help but smell her hair. It was fruity and light.

Once she was settled, I moved the pillow around to prop her head up. “How’s that?”

“This is much better.” She shifted a little and put her head back.

I turned the TV on then handed her the remote. “Be right back.”

I went to grab her water and her phone, then went back and put them on the nightstand. “Here’s your stuff. Need anything?”

“No. I think I’m about to pass out.”

“Alright.”

I was heading out, but she said, “Leigh.”

Hearing her say my name sent a quiver up my spine. “Yeah?”

“Don’t you need a pillow or a blanket or something?”

“Oh, yeah I suppose.” I walked back to the bed and grabbed a pillow from the other side. “Got some blankets in there. Holler if you need anything.”

I was almost back to the door when she said, “I–you…” When I looked back, she was actually looking at me. “Thanks.”

My heart raced but tipped my head. “Yeah, well. I’ll just be in there. Good night, Glenda.”

Walking away from that woman in my bed was like pulling my feet from drying cement. But all she did was say thanks. Still, it was better than the norm. Getting situated in my recliner, I already knew sleep was going to be a joke.

Chapter 7

Glenda

Bruce climbed into bed, plopping down close and resting his huge head on my stomach.

“You’re a big boy,” I said as I moved his head from the sore spot then rubbed his soft ears. He always was a good dog. He’d ridden around with me lots of times in the past when we were going from place to place.

Reggie had to ride his bike, and so did Leigh, so I would let Bruce ride in the car with me and what little belongings we had.

Being around him, and Leigh, was drudging up old memories. Trying to ground myself back in the now, I blew out a huge sigh and looked over the room.

Definitely a guy room. A dresser with a TV on top, plain dark blue bedding, and no pictures or anything on the walls. There was a black lamp with a white shade on each nightstand and I was impressed he had two matching ones. But besides those and a small alarm clock, the nightstands were just as barren as the walls.

The bed was big and comfortable, though. And the pillows were squishy but held their shape well. I sank into them and fixed the blanket since Bruce had shifted it when he laid down. With the movement, though, the crisp and fresh scent that always clung to Leigh wafted around me.

Closing my eyes, I sucked it in. Then when flashes of him on top of me moved behind my eyes like a flip book, they shot back open. A lump rose in my throat, but heat prickled over my skin.