Chapter Thirteen
Colton backed the U-Haul up to her garage and began to unload his things. It was the least she could do. For a friend. There was no reason for him to pay for a storage unit when she had lots of space he could use.
They’d come to an agreement that he could stay in her spare bedroom, at least until he could get on his own feet and find a place of his own.
With the money he made from selling his house, it made more sense to get his legal practice up and running first. Lucky for him, she had some connections in Gorman Valley, and he’d been able to lease an office right down from the courthouse.
They spent the last two days painting and doing some decorating inside his new office, getting it ready to open in a couple of days. It was small, but perfect until he could get himself established.
As soon as his new desk and chair was delivered and set up, she immediately sat down. “The smell of this paint is making me sick.”
“I didn’t think about wearing a mask. Hopefully this stuff is safe to breathe,” Colton added then looked down at the can of paint sitting on the floor.
“Too late now.” She got up and walked to the door. “Colton, I think I’m going to be sick.”
Colton rushed beside her and placed his hand on her back. “Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head then leaned over. “Just give me a minute.” It was embarrassing gagging in front of him, but the queasiness wouldn’t go away.
Just when she thought the feeling might subside, it hit her again.
This time, she couldn’t help herself and everything she’d had to eat at lunch came back up.
“We need to get you home.” Colton said as he massaged her back. “Just give me a minute to get things cleaned up.”
He met her at the door with her purse a few minutes later then walked alongside her to his truck. She climbed inside and let the windows down while she waited for him to lock up.
“This isn’t like me to get sick. Not like me at all.” She told him when they were almost home. “I had a virus a few weeks ago, but this is no joke. I can’t go to work tomorrow feeling like this.”
“Maybe someone is trying to poison you,” he joked.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” she playfully swatted his arm. “Seriously, though, I lost like five pounds when I was sick last time. If I lose any more weight, someone’s going to have to carry the fire hose for me. It’s getting harder and harder to lift when we’re out testing hydrants.”
When they got home, she immediately crawled into bed.
Colton brought her some crackers and she sipped on some ginger ale.
After his shower, he got into bed with her and held her while they watched TV together.
She felt some better, but she knew that something was off with her body. Then it hit her. Her period was late.
She pulled the bed sheet up tightly to her neck and squeezed her eyes tightly. Oh God, could I be?
As though Colton sensed something was wrong, he pulled her closer. When she’d first suggested doing the ‘room-mate’ thing, neither of them had considered what if something more happened. Colton had simply moved his things into her spare bedroom, and he’d been there ever since. Until now.
Sure, they’d fallen asleep together on the sofa while watching TV, but he’d always seen her to bed, kissed her goodnight on the cheek before turning in, then closed his bedroom door.
And what he was doing now, holding her while she was ill, was nothing more than a kind gesture on his part. Or was it?
Would she turn him away if he pursued more?
The guys at the station had teased her when she told them of their living arrangements, saying that they’d be sharing a bed before long. So far, she’d proven them wrong. Although she did like the feel of his arm draped over her and the warmth from his body.
When her alarm sounded at five, she pulled the covers back and slowly slid out of bed. She didn’t want to wake Colton…holy hell! Colton had slept with her through the night!
“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, sleep still evident in his voice. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. Much better than last night.”
While she took her shower, she couldn’t help but wonder if there really could be a future for them? They’d certainly had a history together!
Despite getting sick again, she’d enjoyed spending the last two days with Colton.
She was excited for him to have a new office and to hopefully turn his practice into a successful one.
She knew he was glad to be out from underneath his father, where he could thrive and make a name for himself the honest way.