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“The whole plan was to retire here with my wife, but she died before the house was finished. I’ve found it to be lonely rambling around in it now.”
Her heart pinched at the sadness she saw, heard. What would it be like to be loved so much? “How long ago did your wife pass?”
“Two years.”
And he still mourned. That was love.
“Your husband died recently?” he asked with a nod toward her black dress and a lift of one thick eyebrow.
“A few days ago. The… funeral was yesterday.”
“That’s tough to handle, no matter the circumstances. Please, have a seat. Would you like some coffee?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.” She lifted a hand to brush the hair out of her face and noted how grimy it looked. “But I really shouldn’t stay. I’m getting sand everywhere,” she said, spotting the trail of sand she left with every step.
“Would you like a shower?”
The question surprised her so much she wasn’t sure what to think. Was he merely being neighborly and kind, or—
“You have nothing to fear from me, hon. Scout’s honor.”
“Were you really a scout?” she asked, gaze narrowed on him.
A husky chuckle rumbled from his chest.
“I was,” he said. “Come on, let me show you the guest room, and then I’ll fix us some food before taking you back to your family.”
Wary though desperate for some hot water to rid herself of sand as well as wake her exhausted body up, she followed him through the house to another section separated by a large room with a pool table and some pinball machines.
“The guest rooms,” he said, opening a door. “Totally private. Feel free to use all the locks,” he said. “There are some clothes in the closets and drawers. My daughter-in-law leaves them behind so she doesn’t have to pack them here every trip. You look about her size, so something should fit. Help yourself.”
“That’s very kind. I can’t thank you enough.”
“No problem. Towels are in the closet in the bathroom. Help yourself to whatever else you need. I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re finished.”
She walked with him toward the door and watched as Connor left.
Her hands trembled with fatigue and her overwrought emotions. She shut the door with a quiet click and then twisted the lock, then took it a step further and wrangled an armchair over and shoved it beneath the doorknob.
One couldn’t be too careful these days, and at least the noise would alert her to anyone trying to get in.
That done, she moved to the closet. Inside were a couple of sundresses, three pair of capris, two simple tops, and a couple of T-shirts. There were also polos, a few men’s dress shirts, and slacks.
A look inside the dresser drawers revealed underwear much too young for her taste, as well as several pairs of shorts, bathing suits, and in a different drawer, there were underwear, swim trunks, and socks suitable for a younger man.
Connor’s son?
She helped herself to one of the more modest sundresses and undergarments and carried them to the bathroom, pausing a moment to take it in.
The room was gorgeously done with flowing marble tile, a soaking tub she longed to use, and a walk-in shower with a built-in seat and rainfall shower head as well as multiple jets on the walls.
The vanity was large and spacious, and out of curiosity, she opened the drawers there as well and found tinted moisturizer, sunscreen, aftershave, toothpaste, and a package of disposable razors.
Exploration completed, Rayna turned on the shower and stripped while it warmed. Towels were in the closet where Connor had said they’d be, and she got what she needed before moving into the walk-in.
“Thank You, Lord,” she breathed, welcoming the water and the warmth and the comfort it brought.
She stood in front of the multiple sprays for a long, long time, simply letting them blast her until she forced herself to scrub away the sand and salt and grime and then lathered her hair.
