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Scott took Ember’s arm and led her outside to the porch. “Are you sure about this, Em?”
“Of course. And it’s a little late now to kick him to the curb.”
He took a breath. “Sorry. On the phone, itseemed like no big deal. But now that he’s here. This is a big responsibility you’re taking on. And asking me to take on.”
She patted his chest. “I know. And if at the end of the week, you want me to take him back to Santa Fe with me, I will.”
He hugged her. “You always were one to bring home strays. But this is a six-foot-two stray who you know nothing about.”
“I just know he needs my help. He’s been a complete gentleman and has the same concerns you do. He’s a good guy, Scott. I can feel it.”
“Okay. Let’s see how the week goes and we’ll decide what to do then.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
“I know.”
She smiled. “I’m going to go back inside in case he needs something.”
“You’re such a mother hen.”
“Will you barbeque for dinner?”
“I bought steaks.”
Ember went inside and hovered around the living room, not quite sure what to do with herself. He wasn’t going to need her in the shower. Although the thought of scrubbing his back was quite appealing.Okay. We’re not going there.
When the bathroom door opened and John stepped out in his jeans, no shirt and bare feet, she felt her heart skip a couple of beats.
He smiled at her. “I didn’t bring my clean shirt in with me.”
“Right.” She looked at the floor.Stop staring at the man’s perfect body.
“I’ll be right out.”
“I’ll be here.”
He headed for the bedroom and she snuck a peek at his back. Almost as good as the front.
Chapter four
"Whispers can turn into shouts."
John watched Ember give Scott unwanted advice on how to grill the steaks properly. Scott feigned frustration, but John could tell they were close. It reminded him of something he couldn’t quite pull from the void in his mind. Did he have a sister out there somewhere?
Ember looked at him then crossed the porch and sat in a chair next to him beside the firepit. He was warming his hands over the gas flame.
She smiled. “Are you cold?”
“No. It just feels good. I’m surprised it cooled off so much when the sun went down.”
“It does that here. It can be eighty degrees in the afternoon, then fifty at night.”
“Good sleeping weather.” John leaned back in the chair and put his hands in the pockets of the jacket he’d borrowed from Scott.
“You looked like you were lost in thought a minute ago. Were you remembering something?”
“No. Or I don’t think so. It was more…” He shrugged. “I don’t know. A whisper of amemory.”
