Normally, he worked until he was ready to drop each night in an effort to exhaust himself and possibly avoid the nightmares that had plagued him since that horrible night in Kandahar. The sound of weeping women and the horrified cries of a blameless victim seeped insidiously into his thoughts.
Lily pulled back from him and whispered, “Are you all right? I’m sorry if that was—”
Del shook his head as he lifted her from the workbench. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Lily. It’s just memories. Sorry.”
“Bad memories?” Del nodded, and she said, “Del, I’ll listen if you ever want to talk. The counselor told me that I have PTSD and that it would help me to talk about what happened with JT. I’m not a licensed therapist, but I can listen if you need me to.”
Del doubted that she would want to listen to the stories that he could tell and knew she would wish that he’d kept them to himself even if she claimed otherwise. Every day he wished he could erase his memories. He’d tried working himself into a stupor just so he could sleep and wound up making it even harder for him to fall asleep, and when he had, he’d discovered that he was a sleepwalker, waking up out on the front porch. It was a relief that the driveway to the ranch house was a long one because there was no telling how far he might have gotten in that state. That’s when he’d started having a couple of beers at night, hoping it would help him relax. Nothing worked, and the truth was that he was unfit company. He felt sorry for Lily having to second-guess him like that.
“I appreciate it, Lily. I’ll just be out here a while longer.”
Seeming to understand, Lily nodded and backed away, holding the dishes. “Dessert’s on the kitchen counter when you come in.”
Smiling, he asked, “What is it?”
“A surprise,” she responded in a teasing tone as she sauntered away.
He watched her hungrily and wished that he was whole so he could give her what she needed. Instead, he returned to his work, knowing he’d be up half the night thinking of her asleep in his bed while he slept in his recliner, unless he was bone-tired exhausted.
The scent of rain was in the air and his boots were dragging when he walked in the house at eleven thirty. The first thing he noticed while he wiped his feet on the doormat in the kitchen was the smells. The odor of cleaning products lingered in the air, overlaid by the scent of the chicken dinner she’d prepared. As he pulled off his boots, he also noticed the fragrance of fresh laundry and saw the stacks of towels and clean clothing lined up on the dryer in the utility room off to the right of the back door, ready to be put away. She’d accomplished in one evening what he hadn’t in two months. For the first time, the ranch house felt like a home.
He padded on silent feet to the counter and paused in confusion when he saw the large, familiar metal tin sitting there. Feeling like he was having a flashback, he slid the lid from the old tin and peeled back the wax paper inside. The scent of vanilla and brown sugar filled his nostrils and made his mouth water as he was transported back to his mother’s kitchen. Lily must’ve found his mom’s recipe for pecan pralines which were his favorite sweets. He grabbed the tin in one hand and reached into the fridge for a beer with the other. He paused when he saw the old pitcher on the top shelf.
He set the beer aside and lifted the pitcher from the fridge then reached into a cabinet. He poured a tall glass, grabbed the tin, and forgot altogether about the beer as he walked into the living room and sat down in his comfy recliner. Savoring the anticipation, he set the glass on the end table and slipped the lid from the tin. He breathed in the sweet aroma and lifted a praline from the container.
The sugary candy melted on his tongue, bringing back a deluge of memories as he sat back and rocked. His mom had made those pralines for every big event and any time the boys had begged her to because they loved them so much. He lifted the sweating glass to his lips and took the first sip of real homemade sweet tea that he’d had in…forever.
He held it in his mouth like the finest wine and slowly swallowed, reveling in the sweetness. Did Lily have any clue what such blatant reminders of home…what it meant to be home, did to him? Maybe it was time to rejoin the world of the living and leave this limbo he existed in.
He took another bite and gratefully swallowed past the lump in his throat. She had to have known how this sweet gesture would affect him. He got up and padded down the hall to the open bedroom door.
Del had given her the master bedroom since the other smaller bedroom was used for storage and more often than not he slept in his recliner. There was a deep part of him that was glad she was sleeping in his bed, even if he wasn’t in it with her.
The moon shone through the old lace window curtains, illuminating the satiny skin of her shoulder. She lay diagonally in the bed, on her side, with her arms wrapped around one of the bed pillows. Her head was nestled into it with her hair mussed and lying over her cheek.
He wanted her, that was true enough, but the feeling that coursed through him went so much deeper. The lure of Clay’s earlier words pulled at him. What if a ménage wasn’t a pipedream? What if they acted on the attraction that burned between them? Could they build something strong, or were they on the precipice of destroying a long-standing friendship? He’d believed he wasn’t the sharing kind, had said as much, but now he found himself wanting to believe that he was.
Lily shifted in her sleep and rolled to her back, revealing the curve of her unfettered cleavage through the silky material of her nightgown. He wished he’d come in sooner. He could’ve thanked her for all her thoughtfulness and care. He would’ve kissed her good night and rocked her in the comfortable confines of the recliner for a while. Maybe she might not have gone to bed alone. Next time he was going to stop and think before he screwed things up right about the time they were getting good.
He left her to her dreams and returned to the recliner and his treats before falling asleep and, for once, he slept the whole night through.
Chapter Twenty-One
Del woke early and got breakfast started before Lily was even awake. He felt like he could take on the world, unable to remember the last time he’d slept the whole night through, which had to be before he returned to the States.
The bacon was sizzling in the skillet when he heard a sleepy yawn behind him. Lily, all rumpled and sleepy, was a gorgeous sight in her nightgown and long robe as she went on silent feet and looked out the back door. She was barefooted on the frigid hardwood floor, her toes scrunched up against the cold. “It rained last night.”
“Hey, Lily Bell.” He went to her, hugged her, and swung her around in his arms. “Where’s your house shoes?”
She giggled and blushed as he squeezed her to him. “I don’t have any. I usually just wear socks.”
He sat her on the chair at the table and went in the utility room and came back a second later with a pair of his socks and knelt to slide them on her feet one at a time, enjoying the view of her shapely calves as he did so.
“What’s got into you, Delbert Cook? You’re awfully chipper this morning.”
He picked up the spatula from the plate it rested on and said, “I’m celebrating. You fixed me.”
“Huh?”
He chuckled as he scraped at the skillet, loosening the bacon. “You fixed me. I haven’t slept a whole night through in months. I had some of your sweet tea and pralines and I slept like a baby. Even the rain last night didn’t wake me up.”
Lily yawned and then giggled. “So you’re thanking me for the sugar coma?”
“Yup,” he replied as he turned the bacon. “I mean it. It’s been months since I’ve slept that well.”
“Well then I’m glad to hear that it helped. Your mom made the best pralines and I was so excited when I found the recipe in her old cookbook. I thought it would make you happy.”
“You succeeded. Were you comfortable last night?”
“Very. So whatcha got going here?” she asked, gesturing to the stove.
“Just a simple breakfast.
Bacon, hash browns, and scrambled eggs, if you like them that way.”
“Sure.”
“It’ll be a few minutes so you have time for a cup of coffee and a shower if you want it.”
Lily rose from the chair, and he grinned at the sight of her in his floppy socks as she reached for a mug in the cabinet and went to the coffeepot. He felt slightly goofy as he stared at her and wondered if this was what love felt like because he never wanted the morning to end, unless it was with a return to bed. She had work this morning and so did he, so he knew that couldn’t happen.
After preparing her coffee, she set the filled mug on the counter and went to him with a smile on her face. He kissed the top of her head as she wrapped her arms around his waist, and they hugged each other.
“This is a nice way to wake up, Del.” She let out a long, wistful-sounding sigh.
He looked down at her and asked, “You really okay?”
She didn’t look up, just nodded her head and said, “Yes, it’s just…a lot.”
“Missing Clay a little?”
Quickly, she looked up at him and seemed to gauge his reaction as she nodded. She bit her lower lip and laid her head back against his chest and said, “He seems to think we could…He thought perhaps we might be lucky, like…He hopes that you can…” She finally sighed and said, “I’m making no sense at all.”
He stroked the silky length of her hair. “I know what Clay wants. It’s unusual to be sure, no matter how common it may be here. How do you feel about it? You’ve had more time with him than me. Do you love him?”
Looking certain, she nodded. “I do love him. He said he loved me, too.”
“Given time, do you think you could love me, too?”
Lily gazed up at him. “Yes, but that’s not what concerns me. I know if the roles were reversed, I’d never share him or you with another woman, ever. I mean ever. How can I know that about myself and expect for you to share me? It’s not fair. It might lead to jealousy. I don’t want to risk our friendship. He seemed to think this time we have together could tell us if it would work.”
Del kissed the crown of her head and said, “Lily, I don’t feel jealous when I am around the two of you, even when you’ve shown affection to each other, or when he kissed you yesterday. It actually…” How do I say it without sounding like a pervert?
“It actually…what?”
“It…turned me on to watch him with you like that. I wanted to sneak up behind you and kiss your neck and your shoulder while he kissed your lips.”
Her brows arched, and she smiled. “Really? You mean you…”
“Got hard?” he asked. His accuracy was confirmed when her cheeks bloomed in a pink blush. He could feel his cock hardening again at the thought. “Yes, definitely. I must have a voyeuristic streak.”
She sighed softly. “Oh, boy. This is going to be interesting.”
Del tilted her chin up and gazed into her warm amber eyes. “We’re not going to rush into anything. The most important thing to either of us right now is that you’re happy and kept safe if your ex is planning something.” He patted her ass. “Go take your shower before I take you back to bed. Work has to get done today.”
She looked up at him with big eyes, but he didn’t grin like he was teasing, and her lips parted a little in surprise. She grabbed her cup of coffee, and scurried from the kitchen. He could’ve sworn he heard a giggle as she went down the hall.
Twenty minutes later, he placed the last bowl on the table and was setting out utensils when he heard her footsteps in the hall. She breezed into the kitchen clad in a silky red top and a shin-length black skirt and black heels. She’d swept her hair up into a soft knot with a clip at the back of her head.
They were both startled by the sound of the utensils clattering on a ceramic plate. She ducked her head and giggled when he blinked and looked down, realizing he’d dropped the utensils when he’d set eyes on her.
There was a twinkle in her eyes, despite her blush. “I take it I chose well?”
He grinned when she struck a pose and nodded. “Hell, yeah. I think I could get used to you being around here, Lily Bell. You look beautiful. I can’t believe I did that.” He shook his head at his callow response to her appearance.
“I could get used to the compliments.”
“I think you’ve a deficit to make up for in that department.” He kissed her temple and breathed in her sensual, womanly fragrance. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starved. Thank you for going to all this trouble.”
“Knock, knock!” Clay called as he came in the front door.
Confused, Del looked up when his brother stepped into the kitchen. He was still wearing his cowboy hat and rain droplets covered the shoulders of his tan barn jacket. “Good morning. I thought you wanted me to bring her in.”
Clay ducked his head, looking a little sheepish. “I was up early and decided to save you the trip into town. Smells good in here.”
Del pointed at the cabinet. “There’s plenty. Get yourself a plate. So you were up early, huh?”
Clay nodded as he held open his arms for Lily when she rose from her seat to give him a hug. He kissed the side of her head, and Del noticed he closed his eyes and smiled in what looked like relief when he enveloped her in his arms. Del was struck by the fact that the moment felt good…right. “Yeah. The house was awful quiet this morning.”
Del watched as Lily released him and gazed up at him. “I missed you, too, Clay.”
She glanced at Del, hesitating for a heartbeat, and then gave Clay a soft kiss. The beautiful blush and smile on her face spoke to his heart when his brother released her. She looked happy. Aroused. He liked the combination, and when his brother caught his eyes as he sat down, Del nodded in approval. That seemed to satisfy Clay’s unasked questions.
The mood around the table was comfortable as they ate breakfast. It seemed to Del that the decisive moment had arrived. They were moving forward with this.
“I’m going to make chicken and dumplings for supper if you’d like to come out tonight, Clay,” Lily said, smiling when Del pointedly handed her the bowl of eggs. She dutifully took a bit more since what she’d had on her plate the first go-round wouldn’t have satisfied a hummingbird.
Clay shook his head regretfully. “I have to run into San Antonio tonight after work. I’m picking up the statue for Chance and Clayton Carlisle.”
“You are?” she asked, curiosity bringing the twinkle back to her eyes. “When are you going to break away the ceramic mold?”
“Anytime now.”
“I wish I could come, too.”
Clay glanced at Del and replied, “Nah. It’s a long drive. I’d rather you enjoyed your time with Del. I probably won’t get home until really late and you know I’ll wait until you’re with me to break the mold.”
After she was finished, Lily rinsed her plate and excused herself to collect her things and get ready to leave.
When she could be heard rummaging around in the bedroom, Clay asked, “Everything go okay last night?”
Del nodded and replied, “Yeah. She made like the Tasmanian Devil and got more accomplished in here than I have in weeks. She even cooked last night.”
Clay rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me you worked all night.”
Del nodded, fighting the feeling of sheepishness that came over him. “Habit, I guess. She came out and spent some time with me while I ate.”
“You ate outside, where you were working?” Clay looked at him as though he were a dumbass. He felt like one, too.
“Yeah, but I did kiss her. She reacted well and seemed comfortable with me.”
“Well, she looked happy when I came in. You must not be fucking up too bad.”
“By the time I came in last night she was asleep in bed. Don’t worry, that won’t happen again.” He planned to spend the evening with her tonight because he didn’t ever want her to think he was ignoring her.
Lily hurried back into the kitchen with her
coat on and her purse slung on her shoulder. Del reached out to straighten her collar and knew he’d miss her a lot during the day. “I’ll come and get you this afternoon, Lily Bell.”
She nodded and gasped when he gently pulled her to him and kissed her. Her surprise quickly changed to compliance as she returned his kiss and parted her sweet lips for him. He squeezed her and pressed her soft curves against his upper body. Her scent filled his nostrils, and he stroked her tongue with his, tasting her minty toothpaste and her own natural, clean flavor. Reluctantly, he released her and smiled at the desire shining in her eyes. After a moment, she glanced at Clay and then back at him, seeming at a loss for words.
Looking satisfied, Clay held out his hand. “Looks like progress to me.”
Del stroked her lower lip with his thumb and kissed her once again, just a light peck, and then released her. He wondered if the blush in her cheeks spread to other parts of her body when she was aroused as she reached out and put her hand in Clay’s and smiled up at him. “Don’t work too hard.”
He watched as Clay held the umbrella for her and helped her into his gray F-150. He willed the tingling in his cock down and turned to the kitchen. After all the hard work she’d done the night before, the least he could do was clean up the breakfast mess before getting started.
When he was done, he looked out the window at the rain pouring down. He looked around the kitchen then walked through the house with a critical eye. She’d obviously worked hard, eradicating the dust and grime that had accumulated over the last eight years, but he knew that a day spent making this house more livable was long overdue.
Rain or no rain, he went out to the barn to tend to Sargent and then backed his beat-to-hell ranch truck up to the back door and emptied the second bedroom of all the junk accumulated in it and then went room to room, clearing the tattered curtains and furniture well past their usefulness from the house. There was no point in having a house if it was too cluttered to live in.
All this time his focus had been the ranch, but if Lily was going to live here he wanted things to be nice for her. So he spent the day cleaning out, fixing up, and then made a trip into Divine to shop for things he thought she might like. By the time five o’clock rolled around, he’d done a pretty decent job and regretted not having done it earlier. It was the least she deserved.
The Divine Creek Ranch Collection Volume 4 Page 41
