Page 87 of The Deadly Shallows

The room he’d be in was at the end of the first-floor hall, just past the kids’ playroom—but in all honesty, the kids’ “playroom” encompassed the entire house. Despite Kenzie’s best efforts to wrangle everything together at the end of each day, by the time she rustled the kids into the tub, brushed their teeth, read Bible stories, and said prayers . . . It all took more strength than his morning exercise routine.

“I’m sure you’re exhausted,” Noah said after Brooke returned from the restroom.

She’d taken time to splash cold water and a bit of reality on her face. They’d been shot at. She’d been shot at. No doubt by the men who were behind everything that had happened in the last few days. If she hadn’t dropped her keys . . . If Noah hadn’t been there . . .

“I’ll show you the guest room,” he said, stepping toward the hall.

“Actually . . .” She rubbed her arm. “If the noise won’t keep anyone up, would you mind if I watched a movie before I go to bed?” She was scared that as soon as she drifted off, the nightmares and flashbacks would return.

“I was just thinking a movie sounded like a great idea. I could use some decompression time myself. Why don’t you pick the movie, and I’ll make some popcorn?”

“Okay.”

“The Blu-rays are along the far wall in the bookcase, in case you don’t remember. And there’s Amazon or Netflix. Oh, and unless you want to watch Peppa Pig or Shaun the Sheep—both of which are excellent—the adult movies are on the top three shelves.”

“I don’t know.” She chuckled. “With some of the adult movies out there, I might prefer Peppa or Shaun.”

Noah smiled, holding her gaze. He was such a great guy, so kind and strong and capable. The list of his solid character went on and on. But in moments like this, when his eyes held hers and her breath stalled in her throat . . . it was impossible not to notice what an incredibly handsome man he was.

She wasn’t sure who broke the stare first, but the next thing she knew, she was standing in front of the movie bookcase, and he was rustling through Kenzie’s cupboards on the other side of the cedar island that ran half the length of the family room.

“Can I get you a drink?” he asked, yanking her from her thoughts. “Sweet tea, maybe? Kenzie makes the best.”

“Tea sounds good.” So did knowing she wouldn’t be alone the remainder of the night, though she doubted she’d sleep a wink. She glanced back over the counter as Noah hobbled about. “Are you sure you don’t need help in there?” The man was working on a crutch, for goodness’ sake.

“Nah, I got this.”

He always did, it seemed. Forcing her eyes back to the Blu-rays, she trailed her fingers along each title, finally choosing two—Fever Pitch and the Jumanji remake with Dwayne Johnson.

Noah came hopping out on one crutch, balancing a silver bowl overflowing with popcorn and two movie-theater-sized candies in his free hand. “Milk Duds or Twizzlers?” he asked.

“Twizzlers.”

He smiled. “I figured you for a Twizzlers girl. So what movie did you pick?”

She held up her two choices.

“Great taste and tough choice, but I’m thinking Fever Pitch tonight,” he said. “Gotta love a good baseball story. And Jimmy Fallon is hilarious.”

“I know, right?”

Noah pointed behind him, gesturing to the kitchen. “I’m just going to grab the drinks and—”

“Why don’t you let me grab them? Not that I wouldn’t enjoy seeing you attempt to carry two glasses while on a crutch, but I think we’ve had just about as much turmoil as we can take today.”

“Fair enough.” He took the case from her and moved toward the entertainment center as she moved for the kitchen.

Movie previews sounded as she poured the two tall glasses of iced tea.

Noah sat on the couch. Leaning forward, he pulled an oversized navy fleece out of the blanket basket next to the couch.

Brooke handed Noah his drink and set hers on the end table before taking a seat.

He lifted the throw, offering to share.

“Thanks,” she said, taking hold of the soft blanket.

He propped his socked feet on the coffee table, and she did the same, resting her feet beside his and cuddling up to him under the throw.