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I stared at the wall.

“Miss?”

“Huh?” I slowly turned my head.

“Breakfast, dear.” Concern filled Mrs. Reid’s gaze on me. “Would you like some?”

“I’m fine,” I murmured.

“You don’t look fine. Are you coming down with something?”

Alaric gave a low chuckle.

That taunting sound only ignited the heat inside me. “No.” I shook my head. “Nothing contagious.”

The chuckle got worse.

I had to get out of here. Before I was a puddle on the floor.

“Can I… can I help you with anything Mrs. Reid? Anything at all.” I all but begged.

She scowled, fighting her instinct to do it all alone.

“Well, I have a few things that need replacing in the rooms.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Then you’ll find them in the kitchen, beside the⁠—”

I was already turning. Already striding for the kitchen as fast as this leg would allow. The moment I got inside I breathed. Hands rested on the edge of the bench before I lowered my head and closed my eyes.

This. Was. Torture.

“How the Hell am I going to do this?”

“Do what?”

I jerked my head up, eyes finding Rafe as he strode into the kitchen from the front door.

“I—ah.” I froze. “Meant the things Mrs. Reid asked me to replace.”

His gaze went to the few things on the counter. Light bulbs. Vases. “Pretty self explanatory I thought.” He murmured. “What part are you struggling with?”

Panicked, I glanced at the things. “The light bulb?”

“Righty tighty, lefty losey.” He murmured. “Anything else?”

“No.” I shook my head. “That’s… that’s it.”

One nod and he crossed the kitchen, grabbed something from a drawer and turned around. But he stopped at the doorway. “He’s better when he’s around you.”

My pulse climbed into my throat.

“Just thought you should know. It’s good to see him… back.”

Back?

The word echoed.