The Seacroft: a love story (Paines Creek Beach Book 2) by Aaron Paul Lazar Page B

task.
    He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and downed half the glass, flopping back on his pillow. “Thank you.”
    “You’re most welcome. You know, I’m kind of used to this job, anyway.”
    He glanced up at her, and felt his heart break. “Oh. God. Your brother, right?”
    One tear slid down her cheek. “Right.”
    “I’m sorry. You don’t have to hang around me, you know. It’s okay.”
    She sat on the side of his bed. “No, it’s okay. I kind of like it. Makes me feel useful.”
    He watched her face, so humble and unassuming. She really is a very pretty girl. “You’re so much more than just useful,” he said, meaning it from his heart. “You’re smart, patient, and sweet.” Normally he wouldn’t be so open with his thoughts, but today, with his head still fuzzy from the fever, he just let it all out.
    Her cheeks turned a rosy pink color, and she glanced down at her hands. “No I’m not.” She sighed. “Well, maybe I’m patient. I can deal with our boss pretty well.”
    In spite of the soreness in his stomach, he laughed. “You sure do.”
    “Speaking of which,” she said, glancing at her watch, “she wanted me to come get you this morning. Something about washing cars.”
    He sighed. “Oh my God. Really? On my day off?”
    She nodded. “Uh huh. And she went a little bit crazy, too. Throwing things and yelling for a few hours.”
    “What? Why?” In his mind, he pictured her furious with him for not showing up in her bedroom last night. He knew he was expected, but he’d been too damned sick to care.
    “Her husband canceled his trip home again.”
    “Really? Again?”
    She frowned, looking thoughtful. “I still wonder about that. The whole thing about him not showing up for ten years straight is kind of odd.”
    “It is.” He watched her for a while, feeling drowsy, then reached out a hand to hers. “About yesterday. I wanted to apologize.”
    She flushed again and shifted her glance away from his, saying nothing.
    He went on. “I mean, I was a jerk. I practically jumped you. I don’t know what came over me. I mean, I know,” he rambled. “You just looked so gorgeous, so perfect, so damned sexy… ”
    She lifted her eyes and stared at him with a haunted expression.
    “I mean. I’m an idiot,” he mumbled. “I acted like a sex-crazed teenager.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered.
    “I hope I didn’t scare you too much.”
    “Um. Well, I haven’t had much experience with men. That is,” she sighed. “I’ve had only one boyfriend. We only were close, um, a few times. I probably overreacted to you. I’m sorry, too.”
    He stared at the delicate creature in front of him. “So, you’re practically a—”
    She nodded. “Practically. Embarrassing, but true.”
    “You shouldn’t be embarrassed. It’s a good thing.”
    Before she could reply, her phone buzzed. She slid it out of her pocket and rolled her eyes. “It’s the boss.” She shot him a rueful smile.
    “Guess you’d better answer her,” he said. “And tell her I’m sorry. I’ll be better tomorrow.”
    She smiled at him and swiped the screen. “Uvi?”

Chapter 16
     
    Vivian felt a mixture of guilt and annoyance, but tried to use her sweetest voice when she answered.
    Uvi sounded furious. “Vivian. Where did you disappear to?”
    Viv walked out of the bedroom and lowered her voice. “Um. I found Cody. He’s sick as a dog. Could barely walk when I got here. But he’s doing better. I gave him some—”
    “What’s wrong with him?”
    “It’s a stomach flu with a fever. Really bad news.”
    Uvi seemed to soften a little with the news. “I see. Will he be okay?”
    As if you care. “I think so. His fever’s come down a little. I’m making him some soup now.”
    “Really? I thought you couldn’t cook.”
    “No, I really can’t. This is from a can.”
    “Oh.” She seemed to lose interest. “Is his phone working? I’ve tried to call him all day.”
    Vivian had powered down Cody’s cell