“It’s okay. It’s been a shock and you did well under the circumstances. Don’t beat yourself up, sweetheart.” He stroked his hand down her hair, much like he used to do when they were dating.
She savored the moment wanting to relive that part of her past if only for a second. The part where he cared for her regardless of her circumstances. Loved her for who she was regardless of what had happened.
“I’ll leave it in your hands, Ethan. Block off that room until you’ve figured out the floor and it should be sweet.” Jake tipped his hat to her. “Mari. I have to say I prefer to meet you over dinner but it’s always nice seeing you regardless.”
She trembled but tried to smile. “Thanks, Jake. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t arrived so fast.”
“You’re a survivor and you had Ethan here and he had everything under control. I’d better get back to the department.” He clomped down the next set of stairs, his boots heavy on the wooden treads.
Ethan wiped her bangs from her face, cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. “Do you think you’re going to be okay now?”
She willed herself to a calm state and pulled up another smile for him. “Yeah, I think so. Thank you so much for saving me.”
The lines around his lips deepened as he smiled, the dimples she remembered coming to the surface. “It’s my pleasure. Always happy to save a fair damsel in distress.”
“I do have a bone to pick with you though. That kiss. It wasn’t quite how it happened, was it?” The golden flecks in his eyes brightened with amusement, just as she remembered.
He feigned shock and disbelief. “Is that what you think? Well, let me tell you, it’s exactly how I recall it. I’ve played that over and over in my head when I’m trying to bring up my favorite memories of you and me together. I always start with that one so it has to be right.”
He thought of her? “Oh. I don’t know what to say.”
A devilish glint came into his eyes. “I can think of something. You could say, ‘I’ve thought of nothing but you since I moved back home too, Ethan. In fact, that kiss, the one where my toes curled and I was a lump of molten lava for you, is the most defining highlight of my life.’” He fluttered his eyelashes and she thumped him on the chest.
“Get outta here.” He’d always been able to talk her out of a mood or make her forget the pain. Ethan hadn’t changed that much at all as he’d grown up. Had his feelings stayed the same too or was that too much to expect considering the issues they still had to deal with before any thought of romance came into play?
“Back to business. Where are those keys for the attic door?” He dropped a light kiss on her forehead and let go of her. The loss of his arms around her was instant and shocking at the same time.
“In the office, second drawer down on the left. There’s a box of old keys. I suspect one of those may fit this door. If not, you have my permission to board it up with the biggest nails you can find.”
“Right. Let me get you downstairs so David can look at that ankle and I’ll get right on it.” He slipped his arm around her waist and helped her down the next flight of stairs where most of the bedrooms were situated along with her apartment. “If you need anything from the attic, you’re going to have to wait until we deal with this rot. I don’t want anyone up here until then, okay?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t need anything from up here. April’s the only one who’s been in here of late. She’s been using some of the old stuff for her shop and the displays she’s been making for the rooms. I can certainly live without them.”
“Good. I think I’d better get back to it. Why don’t you go and put your feet up for half an hour and let your blood pressure settle down and make sure David is happy with you? I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
“Sure. Thanks, Ethan.” He guided her along the hallway to her apartment and she was immediately surrounded by her sisters and drawn inside.
“Mari, are you okay, honey?” Bella and Dakota both reached for her at once, wrapping her in a sisterly hug that did much to hold her together. She started to shake.
“Shock.” Bella pushed her toward the leather couch and pushed her head down between her knees. “Go make her a cup of sweet tea, Dakota. It’ll be good for her.”
“I’m fine, really.” Her muffled voice sounded wobbly to her own ears. “I’d rather have a coffee.”
“No, Bella’s right. Sweet tea is what you give people for shock and you need some. You have no color left in your face at all.”
Bella rubbed Mari’s back. “April’s talking to David. He insisted that he checks you out and it gets wrapped properly. He’s being a little bit over the top but after seeing you hanging through the ceiling, but I don’t blame him. April’s a little rattled too so I gather he’s calming her down.”
“That’s fine. I’m okay, honestly.” She went to sit up but had to hang her head again as the blood raced through her veins, leaving her feeling woozy.
Bella leaned back but kept a hand on Mari’s back for support. “So, before we got interrupted with the collapsing ceiling, you were talking about Ethan. Care to continue with that conversation?”
“My God, you don’t give up, do you?”
“Nah. What’s the point in having sisters if you can’t squeeze them for details? And you have to admit, we
