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“If you did, it doesn’t matter,” Ashton said easily. “It will clean off.”
They turned into her street, and a moment later, Ashton pulled the truck to a stop outside her house.
“Thank you,” she said, turning to him. “I can catch a taxi back into town. You don’t need to wait.”
He shook his head. “That’s not how I work. I’ll make sure you’re all right and then drive you back to your car.”
He got out and went around to her side of the car, where he opened the door and offered her his arm. She winced and took it, limping up the path beside him to the front door. Pain crossed her face as she felt around in her handbag for her house key.
“Your hands?” he asked sympathetically.
She nodded.
He held out his hand for the key. “Allow me.”
She handed him the key and he unlocked the door, memories of the past surfacing as he smelled the unique, fresh pine scent of the house. They’d had some happy times in this house; Lily had only just bought it then, and he’d spent quite a bit of time helping her to fix things and tidy it up. Regret filled his heart again, followed by hope as he thought about their apologies to one another earlier. Perhaps they could be friends again. Maybe even more, his heart whispered.
Distracted by the thought, he turned to Lily. “If you get me a dressing, I can help you with the cut on your forehead,” he offered.
“Sure,” she replied, looking fidgety. “I … I’ll just go get them.”
She cast a furtive glance toward the big window, but the drapes were drawn and he had no idea why she seemed to be nervous. Was it because he was here in her house? She scurried off in the direction of the bathroom, casting another glance toward the backyard as she went. Ashton was curious. Why did she seem so on edge?
A moment later, she was back with the box of dressings. Ashton opened the lid and rummaged around until he found one the right size.
“There,” he said a moment later as he smoothed it down around the edges. “I’m sure that will feel more comfortable. At least now when you go back down the street, you won’t terrify the good citizens of Granville.”
She offered him a faint grin. “Thank you.”
“Would you like me to put dressings on your knees as well?” he asked, glancing down at the blood seeping from the cuts.
“Yes, please,” she said. “My hands still hurt.”
She held them out and he sucked in a breath.
“You did a good job of taking your skin off,” he said. “That must hurt a lot.” He picked up the cloth with disinfectant on it. “This is going to hurt more, I’m sorry.” He gently cleaned both knees, and then carefully applied the dressings.When he’d finished her knees, she held out her hands and he cleaned and dressed them, too.
“It’s a bad habit, you know,” he remarked when he’d finished.
“What is?” she asked suspiciously.
“Not watching where you’re going.”
“So you keep saying.”
“Was I right this time?”
“Oh, all right, you win,” she said, and he grinned.
“I’m just teasing, Lily,” he said gently. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”
“Not as sorry as I am,” she returned, and they both laughed.
She gathered up her things again. “I’ll just grab my spare key and then I’ll be ready to go,” she said.
“Take your time; there’s no need to hurry.”
She hobbled to her room and retrieved the spare key. “I’m ready,” she said a moment later.
