Page 39 of Yours Truly, Fall

Her smile grows so big you would have thought she’d won a prize for helping me get here. “I was. What do you remember from the wedding?”

“You wore blue, the color of the sky.”

She nods. “Summer’s favorite color.”

“And you had daisies.”

I’m not sure she’s even aware she’s rubbing my leg like she’s more than my nurse, but also my friend. “We did.” Reaching up, she caresses my cheek. “I’m so proud of you. Was there anything else?”

The memory extends to an unfounded emotion in her gaze when it meets mine, tipping more toward anger, but I don’t mention that. Neither of us could probably explain it anyway. “No. You looked beautiful.”

I hate that her hand falls to her lap, but that she stays makes it better. Her eyes lower, and the color deepens on her cheeks. “That’s very nice.”

“It’s true.”

When she looks up at me again, sincerity fills her eyes. “You looked good that day, too. Really dapper, Brandon.”

“Thanks.”

“Well . . .” she starts, not finishing.

Grimacing, I follow her lead. “Well?”

She thumbs over her shoulder, but she makes no effort to leave. “I should probably . . .”

“The offer still stands.”

She also stands, dragging her hands over her boxer brief-covered hips. Damn, my clothes look good on her. “I really should go.” She doesn’t go. She doesn’t take one step. Instead, she stares at me like she wants a formal invitation.

I reach over and flip the covers wide open for her. Not saying a word, I pat the mattress.

Scurrying to the other side of the bed, she says, “Twist my arm, why don’t ya.” When she tugs the covers to her chest, I’m left exposed on my side, the little blanket hog. “This beats the recliner any day. How is this the most comfortable bed I’ve ever lain in?” So stubborn, but not too far gone that she can’t admit defeat in the face of pleasure. She pushes up, and asks, “What’s this bed made of? Magic? Clouds? Wishes and dreams?”

I laugh. “Maybe it’s the company.”

That has her grinning big and loony like I was earlier. “Just might be.”

The blanket doesn’t cover my backside when I shift to angle her way without disrupting my shoulder too much. I won’t ruin this for her. She’s hopped into nurse mode, and although she’s sexy when she’s taking care of her patient—me—I’m beginning to believe that Autumn is something special.

I give the blanket a little hint of a tug. “Mind sharing?”

“Not at all.” Releasing her grip, she lies next to me like this is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Same. “The whole town could fit in this bed.”

Chuckling, I look at her all snuggled on her side. She does look small comparatively. No bigger than a ladybug in this bed. “I’d prefer if they didn’t, though.”

“I can imagine.” She throws her arm out and rubs it against the mattress like a one-armed snow angel. “I’m really loving how big everything is around here. Our house is a hundred years old. Everything is small from back in that era. This must be what it’s like to have a modern home. Fancy, roomy, and so quiet. Was it like this when you bought it?”

“I designed the house.” She doesn’t have a lick of makeup on and still leaves me breathless when I look at her. “I studied architecture at university.”

She nods. “I remember hearing how well you did. You won awards.” Glancing to the far end of the room, she says, “You could win them for this design. It’s not just the bed that’s great. Every room feels purposeful, not cold but flows as if life was planned for it. Like a family and kids were meant to live here one day. Do you want a family, Lieutenant?”

“I want a family, a wife and kids.”

Her smile softens. “How many?”

“One wife for life is all I need, but I wouldn’t turn down eternity.”

Fanning herself with her hand, she says, “I would laugh since I was asking about how many kids you wanted, but you sure do know how to make a girl swoon.”