“Hey. Before you start in, I thought I made this clear when I saw you last. But I’ll be clearer this go-around. I’m unavailable. We were done before, but things are really done now, because the love of my life has re-entered the picture. And if I have anything to say about it, it’ll be for the rest of my life. Sorry to be so blunt, but I want to make sure you move on, and beating around the bush doesn’t do either of us any favors, Maria.”
I heard Rae’s gasp, but seeing her wide eyes nearly did me in with the visible pain there.
Maria exhaled and whispered, “Wow. Laura had told me you’d be blunt to a fault. Seems I should have listened harder.”
I sighed. “No. You should have listened to me. Sorry if this hurts you, but, I hope you find someone who makes you happy. I can tell you, I’m not that man. Be well.”
Two months ago, I would’ve waited to hear her reply, but life was too short. I ended the call, plopped my cell on top of my rumpled jeans, and planted my ass on the bed. Looking up at Rae, I focused on alleviating the pain in her eyes. The closer I looked, though, the more I noticed the pain was gone, replaced by sympathy.
“That woman, Maria. She might not believe this, but you did her one helluva favor, Clint. Seems even when she isn’t here to say so, Mom is right. You are such a good man.”
I snorted out an exhale. “Glad you can say that because I don’t feel like a good man.”
She smiled with liquid heat. “You would say that, sweetheart. But you are absolutely the best of the best.”
My huff of disbelief filled the room. “You’re wrong, Rae. But I’ll let it slide. After some shut-eye we’ll discuss what’s pertinent for our future, honey.”
I STOOD NEXT TO PENNY as she stepped on the running board of my Explorer. She didn’t trust herself to get into the vehicle, but from the strength she used to grip my forearm, I suspected she could have climbed in just fine. I closed the door after her and turned to find Raegan grinning up at me.
“Thanks for helping her,” she whispered.
I nodded. “In the truck, babe.”
Once I started the vehicle, Penny said, “So fancy. I like it.”
“Thank you, Penny. How about telling me where I’m going?”
Ninety minutes later, Penny’s physical therapist stood behind her saying, “Remember, you only need to use the walker when you think you need it, Miss Penny.”
“I definitely need it to get to Clint’s fancy SUV.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I think you’re stronger than that, Penny.”
The therapist caught my eyes and nodded. “Exactly.”
We trekked down to my ‘fancy SUV,’ and Penny reached for my arm. I shook my head. “I dare you to try climbing up on your own. Just grab the bar with one hand and the door with the other. I’m right here if you start to wobble.”
She glowered at me but pressed her lips into a firm line. “Fine. I pull a muscle; you’re massaging it when we get home.”
“He is not,” Rae grumbled as she climbed into the backseat.
Penny gave a valiant effort to get in the SUV, but I wound up helping her at the end. “You’ll get the hang of it soon enough, Mrs. C.”
She smiled. “Don’t call me ‘Mrs. C.’ She’s a character from Happy Days.”
I chuckled and rounded the hood.
We rode home in silence for ten minutes before Penny said, “I told you.”
I looked at her. “Told who what?”
Seeing her eyes were pointed at the side mirror, I realized she was talking to Raegan. In the rearview mirror, I could see Rae knew she was talking to her.
“I know, Mom. I’m sorry. I just didn’t know, okay? And besides, I’m moving back so, you’ll have me living with you.”
Penny shot me a satisfied grin which was just shy of gloating. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Raegan drawled. “And don’t sound so satisfied. It’s poor form.”
Penny cackled. “The hell it is, if it means you two are happy.”
I bit back my response even though Penny damn sure had Raegan there.
At the house, Raegan started making panini sandwiches while Penny turned on the TV.
I settled on the couch and Penny muttered, “You two aren’t living here.”
“Say that again?”
Her blue eyes held resolve. “You and Raegan. You’re not living here.”
I tilted my head in a noncommittal nod. “You’re probably right, but if you can’t—”
“If I can’t what?”
Her sour tone had my attention, but I didn’t show it. “You can do more than you let on sometimes. Being around my mother and sister the other night, you pushed yourself harder than you should’ve, but it did you some good. If you don’t want us living with you, then show us how capable you can be.”
A shrewd expression crossed her face. “I’ll bear that in mind, Clint.”
Her tone bothered me. “Don’t be that way, Penny.”
She smiled. “You still got that ring?”
I rolled my eyes. “No. Call me superstitious, but I think that ring had bad juju.”
“Lunch is up!” Rae hollered.
“I think I’ll skip the walker,” Penny muttered.
I stood next to her. “You can take my arm if you want.”
The resolve hit her eyes again. “Thank you, but I can do it.”
Chapter 23
Hard to Quit You
Raegan
CLINT INSISTED ON DOING the dishes since I made lunch. While he did that and Mom watched her soaps, I called Angela. She had been so intent on knowing where I was going to land, finding out it would be Orlando would surprise her.
After the first ring, it sounded as though Angela had answered, but based on the strange scraping sound on the line I suspected she didn’t know she’d taken the call.
Then she spoke in a flirty tone.
