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She massaged her temples. “I think they’re installing an emergency button in my bedroom. Down the hall, third door on the left.”
The last thing I’d anticipated was double checking the alarm company’s job, but I knew firsthand how sloppy some people’s work was. I would make damn sure this wasn’t going to be one of them.
An hour later, I joined Ella on the couch. She closed her laptop and set it on the coffee table in front of us. “How did it go?”
“They’re doing a good job. I gave them some pointers with the angles and made sure that almost every inch of your yard and home are covered. There’s a blind spot, but it’s not too bad.”
Ella placed her hand over mine. “Thank you. I really appreciate your input.”
“Ella?” Jonas, one of the technicians asked. “We’re all done. Your boyfriend was a big help, and we finished early.”
Ella jumped off the sofa, not bothering to correct Jonas.
“Oh, good. Thank you.”
I held back as he showed Ella how to use the monitor app on her phone, and where all the buttons were installed as well. Thirty minutes later, he and his coworkers loaded the van and left. I was finally alone with her, which might be a good or bad thing.
Ready to hear what she had to say, I asked, “Can we talk about your text from last night?”
She tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, a wistful expression twisting her mouth. “I knew I’d see you today, so I figured an explanation would mean more face-to-face.” She remained standing, pursing her lips.
I shifted in my seat, looking at her.
“When I got home from the hospital, there was a gift on the counter. At first, I thought someone had broken in, but Cami had checked all the locks and doors before we even came inside. Everything was fine.”
“Then how did it get in your house?” I didn’t like this situation at all, and I was glad she’d had an alarm system installed. Otherwise, I would have camped out on her couch, waiting for the fucker that thought it was funny to scare a single woman like that.
She gave me a small shrug and huffed out a little laugh. “I forgot my friend Alexa had a spare key. She dropped something off, forgot the card to say who it was from, and I just freaked out over nothing. It’s been a stressful week.” She propped her elbow on the back of the couch, assessing me.
Concern nudged me in the side. Although I wanted to believe her, something didn't feel right, and I suspected she was too scared to tell me the truth. Regardless, I would find out soon enough. “I’m glad you have good people in your life.”
“Me too.”
“How’s your father?” I asked, redirecting the conversation away from Alexa.
Ella plopped onto the couch and tucked a leg beneath her. Tears welled in her eyes and slipped down her cheeks.
I leaned over and gently wiped them away with the pad of my thumb. “Talk to me, Ella. What can I do to help?”
“Nothing.” She sniffled and looked away from me. “The doctor’s said that he can’t continue the trial. It will kill him before the cancer does. He should be released from the hospital in a day or two. Cami called a hospice nurse to monitor him, give him pain medication, and take care of him until he …” Her shoulders shook as she sobbed into her hands.
“I’m so sorry.” I wrapped her in my arms and pulled her in my lap, rocking her as if she were a little girl, and I was giving her a safe place to grieve.
Once her tears dried, she nestled her head on my shoulder. “I’m sorry that you have to see me like this. Everything in my life is so complicated right now.”
Shit. Here it comes. I braced myself for her next words.
Her fingers trembled as they trailed up my biceps. “Am I allowed to sound like a clingy girl for a minute?”
My chuckle rumbled through my chest. “From what I’ve seen you’re definitely not clingy. Strong, determined, but clingy isn’t on the list.”
“My world is shitty right now, but you give me a light in the darkness. I need that. I need something to look forward to while Dad is … making his transition.” She hid her face in my neck and snorted. “God, that sounded lame. I barely know you.”
I threaded my fingers through hers, recalling my mother’s words when I was eight and had caught her crying after Dad had left the house. Maybe they would help Ella too. “Even the strongest women need support sometimes.” I wrestled with the idea of telling her that I had paid her father’s medical bills, but I didn’t think it was a smart idea. Letting her believe it was an anonymous gift would probably be best for now.
“Tell me about your family. Where did you grow up?” Instead of getting up, Ella remained snuggled against me.
I rubbed her back and wondered if she might fall asleep. If she did, I was okay with it. She was emotionally and physically drained.
