AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Um, they both did, actually.” Alex hesitated, then wanted to kick herself.He’s behind bars, and you’re safe here. Now pull it together!She straightened her spine and stepped aside, holding the door open. “And yes, I’m Alex. It’s nice to meet you. Please come in.”
She shoved her hands into the pockets of her oversized sweatshirt as Roxie entered, heading straight for the kitchen.
“I brought over a couple pies, some quiches, a couple casseroles, and some other stuff,” Roxie said over her shoulder. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like.”
Alex waited a moment before following the other woman into the kitchen.
Whirlwind. The woman was an absolute whirlwind.
She found Roxie unloading prepared food and groceries onto the island. The bags reminded her of Mary Poppins: they didn’t seem all that big, but she was amazed by the amount of food Roxie pulled from them.
“I figure that everyone loves a good quiche. I hope you’re not a vegetarian or anything because there’s ham in this one. The other two have turkey and chicken. But if you are vegetarian, then no problem at all because I’m sure Quinn will eat these and I’ll just whip up some new, non-meaty ones for you. The casseroles freeze really well, so there’s no worries about eating them right away. I also figured apple and blueberry were probably the safest bets for the pies. And I got you some vanilla ice cream, of course.”
Alex blinked, her mind attempting to process the woman’s rapid-fire chatter. It had all sounded like one giant, continuous sentence with zero breaths between words.
Roxie went to open the freezer, then paused. She shot Alex an apologetic look before grabbing the handle.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, shoving the ice cream and casseroles into the freezer. “I shouldn’t have barged in like this. It’s just that I pretty much grew up in this house, so it’s comfortable for me, you know? Sorry, I have this horrible habit of thinking everyone needs food to make them feel better and”—Roxie’s eyes widened, panic flashing over her face—“not that you feel bad or anything or have a reason to feel bad. I just, uh, figured that...”
Roxie’s gaze shifted to the floor.
“Hey, no worries at all,” Alex said, trying to sound confident. “Truly. Thank you for all this delicious food. Would you, uh, care to join me for some apple pie à la mode?”
She wasn’t sure she remembered how to be good company, but she knew she was making Roxie uncomfortable. Hell, if she were faced with someone who looked like she did, she’d be uncomfortable, too. The least she could do to reassure the woman was share some dessert with her.
Roxie met her gaze and smiled, visibly relaxing. “Sounds like a plan.” She turned back to the freezer. “You sit, and I’ll dish it up. Fork or spoon?”
“Spoon, please.” She settled her aching body onto a stool at the island and watched the woman move about, completely at home in Joe’s kitchen.
Roxie was easily one of the most gorgeous people Alex had ever laid eyes on. The woman was exceptionally tall and athletically lean, a build that she—at a whopping five foot one—had always envied. Her bright-green eyes contrasted beautifully with her fair skin and dark-auburn hair. Add in her high cheekbones and perfectly symmetrical features, and her face was magazine-cover pretty.
“Quinn mentioned you lived next door,” Alex said, searching for something to talk about. She could do this. She was an expert at small talk.
“Yup. Well, in his guest house. It’s kind of a long and boring story, though. Not sure you want to hear it,” Roxie said, opening the ice cream container.
“Sure I do. Joe warned me about you already.”
Roxie froze mid-scoop, one of her perfectly groomed eyebrows arching.
Alex didn’t know whether to laugh or hide. Instead, she backpedaled. “Um, what I meant to say is that Joetoldme about you.”
She took her plate of pie and ice cream from Roxie and shoveled a spoonful into her mouth. After another quiet moment passed, she peeked up at Roxie’s still-raised eyebrow, swallowed, and cleared her throat.
“All he said was that you like a good story and that if I ever need anyone to talk to, or listen to, then I should give you a call. Great pie, by the way. It’s absolutely delicious. You really are an expert baker.” She proved the point by stuffing her trap with more pie and ice cream.
Roxie jabbed her spoon into her own slice. “Nice recovery, Alex,” she grumbled. “Did Joe mention that, too? ‘Tell her she talks too much, but buffer it by saying she’s a damn fine baker.’”
She nodded, chuckling.
Roxie let out an exaggerated sigh, then held up a spoonful of ice cream. “To Joe,” she toasted. “I guess even after all this time, the guy still knows me pretty well.”
She tapped her spoon against Roxie’s with a soft clink. “To Joe.”
Her mind drifted to the last time she had seen him. He’d given her keys to a car, an envelope of cash, and directions to his childhood home clear across the country. He’d told her he would take care of everything and be in touch. He’d promised she would be safe.
Prior to these last two chaotic weeks, she could count on one hand the number of times they’d spoken. Yet there he’d been. Saving her life. Again.
Her throat tightened, and her chest squeezed. She blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. The pie, delectable moments ago, lost all flavor. “So, are you going to tell me that story or what?”
