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“Well, I, for one, am happy you were here,” he said with a lazy smile as she pulled on a pair of sweatpants.
She couldn’t believe he didn’t seem to be more concerned. “You understand we could be discovered, don’t you?”
“You said it was Talulah. You don’t trust her not to say anything to anyone?”
She didn’t answer that question. She didn’t want anyone to know,includingher best friend. “Don’t make any noise. I’ll be right back.”
Talulah knocked again as Ellen hurried down the hallway. “Ellen? You in there? I’m going to call the police if you don’t answer—”
“I’m here,” Ellen yelled back before she could finish that sentence and opened the door—only to realize a second later that she’d forgotten to toss the robe puddled near the couch into the kitchen or somewhere out of sight.
That wasn’t a big deal, though. She could talk her way out of it easily enough—as long as Talulah hadn’t also seen Hendrix’s truck.
“What’s going on?” She was breathless and her heart was pounding, but she could see that Hendrix’s vehicle wasn’t in her driveway, as she’d feared it might be. He must’ve parked somewhere else, farther away, like he had the night he’d busted Jordan’s nose.
“I’ve been texting you, but you haven’t answered. Normally, you’re up by now.”
She shoved a hand through her hair. “What time is it?”
“It’s only six thirty, but when I didn’t see your lights on as usual, it spooked me—what with Jordan being in town. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought anything about it. I mean...it’s still early.”
Ellen covered a yawn. She hadn’t gotten much sleep. She and Hendrix had enjoyed each other on and off for hours before they’d both grown so exhausted they’d fallen asleep for the rest of the night. “Sorry to scare you. Everything’s fine. I just...didn’t rest well.”
Talulah grew concerned. “You look a little flushed. Are you feeling okay?”
She was embarrassed, not feverish. “I’m fine. Just...warm from being under the covers.”
“Oh. Okay. Well...” She turned to look out over the yard.
Ellen caught her breath for fear she’d spot Hendrix’s truck, after all—wherever he’d left it—but it was still dark enough to offer some protection and nothing seemed to register as unusual.
“I’ll head over to the diner, then,” Talulah said. “Just wanted to make sure Jordan hadn’t been an asshole last night.”
“I have no doubt Jordan’s always an asshole, but maybe he can’t help it,” she quipped. “At least he didn’t show up here.”
“I hope he goes home and leaves you in peace.”
“Me, too. Thanks for checking on me.”
“Call me if you hear from him.”
“Will do.” Ellen watched Talulah walk to her SUV, get in and drive off before closing the door.
“Are we in the clear?”
She turned to see Hendrix at the entrance to the hallway, wearing only his jeans, which weren’t buttoned all the way. “We are,” she said, sighing in relief. “She seemed to have no clue. Where’d you park your truck?”
“On the far side of the barn, where it can’t be seen from the road or their place.”
“Good thinking.”
He yawned as he scratched his bare chest, which had been such an irresistible sight to her last night. It looked just as good this morning but the shock of having Talulah show up at her door had pulled her out of whatever craziness had gripped her before.
“Any chance you’ll be making coffee this morning?” he asked.
“Yes. Eggs and toast, too. But we don’t have long. You’ll have to eat and hurry out of here before it starts to get light.”
“It can’t bethatlate already. Seems so early.”
