After the meal, we return to the shop. The old man is standing at the top of a ladder, while I spot from below. We’re trying to install this big ass industrial-sized ceiling fan in the center of the shop while I continue my fruitless efforts to convince him to hire help. I leave him to take the reins on that. I may dabble in home improvement work, but running a business is my game.
“Don’t you think we should flip the power breakers or something?” I’m no expert in electricity, which is why he’s up there, and I’m firmly on the ground. But that tidbit seems important.
“The breaker’s in the basement behind a whole bunch of crates and shit. It’d take me longer to move out all that crap than it would take me to quickly get this thing installed.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea…” I squint up at him.
“Don’t worry about it,” he says confidently. “I’ve done it a million times. And I’m not worried about the electricity. I’ve got a trick they don’t teach ya in trade school.”
“If you’re sure,” I offer a hesitant chuckle.
He laughs from above me, yanking on more wires from the ceiling. “You sound just like my Alexia,” he tsks. “Always questioning me.”
Probably rightfully so. I scrunch up my lips, hold the words in and hope for the best.
He’s still spouting off from the top of the ladder when his words cut off mid-sentence. I look up, about to ask what’s going on, and my eyes widen. Mr. Robson’s arm is extended, fist tight around one of the longer, exposed wires. His body jerks for a second and goes stiff. I shout out.
But it’s too late.
Suddenly, his frail body is tumbling down, and I’m frantically trying to catch the man as he hurtles toward the concrete floor.
43 Jessa
I sprint through the hospital doors like Usain Bolt.
Well, if Usain Bolt had itty bitty legs and got winded halfway up a flight of stairs.
Oh, never mind. Let’s just say I’m moving as fast as my short legs will take me.
I left Callie with her grandparents at the inn. I’ve never made the drive back to my hometown in such a short time.
Eli called me with the news. Yet I still don’t even know why. Why him? Or how? How did he know that my dad was rushed to the hospital?
I’m at the emergency room’s reception desk, sputtering out my dad’s name and the sparse information I have when I feel a large hand wrap around my bicep. I’m ready to swing back and punch this fool in the nose—just like my Daddy taught me to—because I’m on a mission and in no mood to socialize, not until I know that my father’s okay. But when I turn around, I find Eli staring down at me.
I grip him by the shirt and the panicked questions start tumbling out of me. “Where is he, Eli? Is he okay? How badly did he get hurt? Tell me he’s okay.”
My boss steps back, holding me at arm's length so he can meet my eyes.
Oh god. Oh god. This can’t be good news. I feel my breakfast swishing around in my belly.
The tears burst out of me like a water balloon hitting a tree. “Eli, I just—”
“Relax. Your father is fine. He’s fine, baby.” He smooths a big, calming hand down my hair.
“He’s okay?”
Eli nods. “Yeah, he’s okay.”
Air whooshes from my lungs. If I weren’t so darn relieved, I’d smack the guy. Right on his sexy, muscular ass. “Lordie. You could have led with that important piece of information on the phone.”
He shrugs. “To be fair, when I called, you didn’t even give me half a second before you hung up and dove into your car.”
I chuckle shortly. “I guess you’re right.”
He grabs my hand, lacing his strong fingers with mine, and I’ve never felt so safe. “Let me show you to his room.”
As we walk to the elevator, Eli fills me in. My dad suffered a mild electrocution and took a tumble off a ladder at the shop. Eli managed to catch part of the old man’s body on his way down, but Dad wasn’t able to avoid a nasty bump on his head. Eli downplays his own role but I can tell from his description that Dad’s injuries would have been far worse if he hadn’t been there to break the fall. If my father’s back had hit the floor after falling from that height, Eli would be recounting a whole different story right now. I shudder just thinking about it.
“But I don’t understand.” I say when we’re passing the nursing station and nearing the door Eli pointed to a second ago. “What were you doing there today?”
That boyish look crosses his rugged features, and I decide right here and now that it’s my favorite look on Eli Kingston. “I’ve been spending time here, helping your dad with the renovations.”
“You’ve been what?” I look up at him, searching his eyes.
“I’ve been coming by here every now and then to help Douglas get the shop ready to open up.” The man shrugs like it’s no big deal that he spends his spare time, working his sexy butt off, doing free labor for my father.
“I don’t know what to do with you, Eli Kingston. Thank you.” My eyes fill with tears again. This time when I grab the front of his shirt, I lift onto my toes and seal my lips to his in a kiss. It takes him a second to wrap his arms around my waist. When he does, I fling my arms around his neck and kiss him deeper.
I don’t stop until I hear someone very deliberately clearing their throat. We pull apart and find my mother grinning smugly
