Summer's Indiscretion by Heather Rainier

minute to check the unit inside.”
    “It’s in the hall closet. Thank you, Kemp. My landlord is on vacation and told me to handle it. I forgot Adam does this kind of work.” Her lips were a little swollen and made it hard for her to talk, but they weren’t as bad as she’d expected.
    “He’s minus his worker today, so we volunteered to help out where needed. Ace will be here soon.”
    “I wish you didn’t have to see me like this.”
    “Neither of us can stand the thought of you suffering in this heat and we want to be helpful if possible. You look like you don’t feel good, but that doesn’t change how beautiful we think you are.”
    He stroked her pulled-back hair and then kissed the top of her head where it didn’t hurt. She heard vehicle doors close, and Kemp turned so she could see that Ace had also arrived and stood talking to Adam Davis in the driveway.
    She stepped back from the doorway because the bright sun shining on the rash made it tingle uncomfortably.
    Kemp said, “Get comfortable for now. Hopefully this won’t take long.”
    She slowly returned to the couch in the living room, which she’d draped with a white sheet, and gingerly sat down. The way Kemp assisted her was sweet, and she gestured at the two flower arrangements on the coffee table and said, “I love the roses, Kemp.”
    The previous morning she been a little surprised to see the delivery van for Merritt’s Florist parked in her driveway. They’d delivered a dozen red roses and a box of rather expensive chocolates from Kemp. Just an hour ago, another delivery had arrived, this time a dozen white roses and more chocolates.
    “I’m glad you liked them. It’s a good thing I was able to get in touch with Adam. It’s like an oven in here.”
    As if on cue, Ace walked in the door. “Knock, knock, kitten. I brought you a treat to cool you off.”
    He held up a container of cheesecake ice cream. When he’d called to check on her the previous night, she’d talked with him and he’d asked all sorts of random questions, including what her favorite ice cream was.
    “Thank you, Ace. It’ll sure come in handy now.”
    “I’ll put it in the freezer.” He returned from the kitchen and repeated Kemp’s earlier observation. “It’s hot in here.”
    He came to her and leaned down and kissed her on top of the head. She was very appreciative that neither of them seemed to be hiding disgust at her unsightly appearance.
    It was difficult sometimes as a full-figured woman to put her best foot forward and project confidence. It was even harder with her face and most of her body looking like she’d been dipped in a vat of calamine lotion.
    Adam greeted her quickly and offered his wishes for her speedy recovery then set to work. Thankfully, the problem was that the Freon needed to be recharged, and Adam had her AC up and running and the house cooling in a matter of minutes.
    “I love when it’s an easy fix,” Adam announced as he carried his tools back out to his truck. “I’ll see y’all later. Feel better, Summer.”
    Realizing Adam was leaving, Summer tried to rise. “What about the bill? I have to turn that in to my landlord.”
    Kemp waved her back to the couch. “It’s already been taken care of, darlin’.”
    “You didn’t have to do that. My landlord will reimburse me.”
    “Don’t worry about it, kitten,” Ace said as he handed her a small bowl of ice cream then licked his finger. “That’s some good stuff.”
    “Thanks for having the air conditioner fixed. I feel better already.”
    Ace grinned and said, “Good! Then you won’t mind having company tonight. I’ll bring some movies.” Chuckling, Summer thought that explained why he’d also quizzed her about her favorite movies.
    “Are you sure you have time?”
    Kemp chuckled and said, “Sure we do. The cameras are all set and being viewed from the surveillance van even as we speak. We don’t have to work twenty-four hours a day and can take the occasional