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My stomach always won.
I climbed out of bed and stretched my arms skyward. My muscles felt like they’d been slightly overworked and my ribs were on the mend albeit sore, but otherwise I felt fine.
I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a Chelsea Football Club T-shirt.
Downstairs there was no sign of Kane. I stepped onto the front porch to observe the street. No concept car. Only my truck.
Ray floated to the left of me. “If you’re looking for Kane, he left once he was sure you were stable.”
“And I undressed you,” Nana Pratt added, appearing beside Ray. “He seemed conflicted about it, but in the end, he asked me if I was capable. I think he wanted to preserve your dignity. That bodysuit was like a second skin.”
“How did he know you were there?” I asked.
“Oh, he didn’t. He wandered around, repeating his request. It was a good thing we came straight home from the gala like you told us. By the time he returned upstairs to check on you, I’d taken care of it.”
I would’ve described her as flushed with pride if she were capable of gaining color in her cheeks.
“You were able to strip off my dirty clothes?” I had to admit, I was impressed.
“Lucky I was,” she replied. “I’m sure they stunk to high heaven. I was tempted to throw them in the trash, but Ray told me to leave that decision to you.”
“Thanks, Ray. I’ll give them a good wash first and see what happens.”
“Want to tell us what happened?” Ray asked.
A dashing figure at the gate caught my eye. “I will later, if that’s okay.”
I enjoyed the pleasant sensation of the ward as Kane passed through the gate, holding a pink box. When he noticed me on the porch, he cranked up his usual saunter to a brisk stride.
“I was hoping to find you awake,” he said.
“You could’ve called.”
“I didn’t want to risk waking you with the phone.”
“Do you think I would’ve slept through the ward?”
He stopped at the base of the porch step. “I didn’t think it through. I only wanted to see you, to know that you’re okay.”
“I’m right as rain.”
He held up the box. “I brought donuts.” His gaze flicked to the door behind me. “May I come in?”
“Well, seeing that you brought donuts, I don’t know how I can refuse.” I paused. “Please tell me there’s a Boston cream.”
“As it happens, there is.”
Thank the gods. I retreated into the house with Kane, leaving the ghosts on the porch.
“Shall I put these in the kitchen and brew the coffee?” he asked.
“That would be amazing. I’ll meet you in the parlor room.” I didn’t want to admit I was still sore enough to need a comfortable chair.
I eased into the wingback chair and waited.
“I’ll light the fire for you,” Kane offered as he entered the room.
I resisted the urge to tell him he already did.
