The sound of a car engine rumbled over the sound of her sneezes, and she tried to turn on the sofa to look out of the window.
A police cruiser was outside. Carl’s. His parents had probably called to tell him she was sick. Courtney sighed at the thought of having to face him like this.
He rapped at the door and she called out to let him know it was unlocked, too exhausted to get off the sofa and be hospitable in her usual way.
“Hey,” he said, frowning as he closed the door behind him. “You should keep this locked. You don’t know who might try their luck and break in.”
“It normally is.”
His gaze flickered over to her. “Mom told me you were sick. I thought I’d stop by and see if you need anything.” He walked over, his brow still pulled down as he touched her brow. “You’re burning up. Are you sure you shouldn’t be in bed?”
Courtney picked up a tissue and blew her nose loudly. “Probably,” she agreed. “But I couldn’t sleep up there. Thought I’d come down here and make myself a pot of hot tea.” She threw the tissue into the trash can next to her, then pulled the blanket back up. She was wearing an old pair of pajamas and nothing else. From the way Carl was staring at her chest, she felt exposed.
“I could stop by after my shift,” he suggested. “Bring you some take out or something.” His lips curled up. “There’s a new Italian place down the highway. I hear they do an amazing chicken parm.”
Her stomach turned over. “I don’t think I can eat anything. I’ll just sleep. Thank you anyway.”
He sat down on the chair opposite the couch.
“Sorry,” she croaked out. “I should have offered you a seat.”
He grinned. “It’s okay. I figure being sick lets you off. Are you sure there’s nothing I can do? I’ve got thirty minutes left on my break.”
“Honestly, you should leave me alone. I’m sick, grumpy, and all I’m going to do is sleep it off. I’ve got some medicine. I’ll just take that and feel sorry for myself.” She let her head fall back against the sofa. “Hopefully I’ll be well enough for work on Monday.”
“You shouldn’t work so hard. That’s probably half of the problem.” Carl leaned forward, resting his elbows on his navy-covered thighs. “You should let somebody look after you.” His voice dropped. “Somebody like me.”
Courtney swallowed hard, then immediately regretted it. Pain radiated through her throat. “Carl, I…”
He lifted a hand. “No, hear me out. Please.” There wasn’t a hint of humor on his face as his gaze met hers. “You work too hard trying to keep this place going. And Mom and Dad are getting older. They can’t keep doing this forever either. Things aren’t going to get any easier for any of you. You need to start thinking about your future.” He looked down, his brows knitting together. “About letting somebody take care of you the way Shaun would have wanted.”
Courtney’s head whirled. She didn’t want him to say it, because then it would be out in the open. It was hard enough with his side glances and unasked questions that made her feel uncomfortable as hell.
But this? This was so much worse.
“I want to be the one to take care of you. I have an apartment, a good career. And I know we’d be compatible. I think the same way Shaun did. The same way you do.” He ran the tip of his tongue along his bottom lip. “If you left this place, we could persuade Mom and Dad to sell. It would be easier on everybody.”
Courtney opened her mouth, but the tightness in her chest remained. “They’d be heartbroken if they had to sell the farm.” And so would she.
Carl stood and walked over to the sofa, his face soft as he lifted her feet and sat down, replacing them on his lap. It took everything she had not to recoil from his touch.
“They’ll listen to us. They always do.” He gave her a half smile. “That’s why we make such a good team.”
“You’re Shaun’s brother. I couldn’t…” Her voice cracked. The thought of being with him made her stomach lurch. “We couldn’t, Carl. Not even if I was ready to start a new relationship, which I’m not. It’s just wrong. People would talk.”
“I can wait until you’re ready,” he told her, leaning close.
“I could never ask your parents to sell this place,” she told him. “It’s their life. They already lost Shaun. It would kill them to lose the farm, too.” That’s one of the reasons she was still here. Paying penance, trying to keep this place afloat for them. Mary and Ellis were like parents to her, and she couldn’t let them down.
“You don’t have to make a decision now.” He ran his finger down the sole of her right foot. “Just think about it. You’ll see I’m right. I’d make you happy, Courtney.” He cleared his throat. “I know that Shaun wasn’t always…” he trailed off, as though trying to find the right words. “Good to you. I heard the arguments. I’m not like that, I promise you. I’d never hurt you.”
He released her foot and stood, raking his hand through his hair. “I should get back to work. But call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay,” she managed to croak.
“You sure you don’t want me to bring you anything later?” he asked. “Or I could come over tomorrow. It’s my day off.”
She shook her head quickly. “No. I’m just going to rest. But thank you.”
He leaned down to kiss her on the cheek, the aroma of coffee wafting from his breath. Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes, wishing this all away.
“Feel better soon. And don’t forget to lock the damn door,” he told her.
Moments after he closed the front door firmly behind him, her
