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He took his plate to the table where she’d set out silverware, a napkin, and his meds. “Babe, if you need some ibuprofen, there’s a bottle in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.”
“Thanks, but I had some in my purse and already took it.” She flipped her eggs and sprinkled cheese over them.
He dug into the food and sighed. “This is so good.”
She chuckled under her breath. “You’re just really hungry.”
“You’re an amazing chef.”
A couple minutes later, she sat in the chair beside him, her steaming omelet and potatoes piled high like his. “I’m just glad you had enough for both of us. I need to stock your fridge.”
“I’d rather we didn’t spend time here.” He looked around his shabby surroundings knowing he could do much better by her. “Your place is really nice.”
“You keep your place really clean.”
“That’s the only nice thing you can say about it.” He’d lived in some real dives over the years. This place wasn’t the worst. Certainly wasn’t the best either. He thought about his cabin and wondered if she’d like it there. It wasn’t here, so she’d never stay at it. He couldn’t ask her to leave her life here. She was too much a part of her family, the bar, the ranch, this community.
She squeezed his hand. “Hey. Where’d you go?”
“I was just thinking about what comes next. You love it here, don’t you?”
“It’s home. I’ve had opportunities with my music to go other places, but this is always where I feel the most like myself. Why? Is this not home for you?”
“No. But it could be.” He’d lived in several states over the years.
“Where is home?” She met his pause with understanding. “I promise, whatever you say, I won’t repeat. I’ll tell people you like to do lots of things with me and talking isn’t one of them.”
He chuckled. “I think I’ve talked to you more than I’ve talked to anyone in years.”
She slid her hand up his forearm and back down again. “That’s sad, M. People need people.”
“Now you know why I need you so much.” And maybe it wasn’t fair to put that on her.
“I’ve wanted to be needed by someone for a long time.”
Well, didn’t that make them a pair? “My family is mostly in Montana. I have a small cabin there. It’s quiet.”
“Tell me about your family. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“I have a brother. We’re really close.”
“You have the same eyes.”
His head snapped up so fast, he tugged at the stitches in his shoulder. “What?”
She gave him a knowing grin. “The guy at the hospital. He had your eyes. Same light brown color. Though, yours have flecks of green. His, flecks of gold. But they had the same intense look in them.”
“Don’t ever let on that you know he’s my brother. In fact, don’t mention that you ever saw me with him.”
The smile died on her lips. “I won’t.”
“He’s not happy I’m seeing you.”
She took a bite of her potatoes. “Why?”
“Because you’re a distraction.”
She sipped her water. “You don’t seem to mind that.”
