Page 37 of Under His Protection
She slips her chilled arms around my neck and closes her eyes on a sigh. “Perfect. Thank you.”
* * *
Haley is awfully quiet on the cab ride back to my apartment building. Before we left the beach, she put her clothes on over her swimsuit, but now her clothes are soaked through, and she’s chilled to the bone.
She had a hell of a shock today. When I went into the water for the kid, I never dreamed it would turn into something so traumatic.
“Here you go, folks,” the cabbie says as he pulls up in front of my building.
I get out of the car and hold the door for Haley. The cabbie pops the trunk lid, and I start to reach inside to grab our stuff, but Antonio, the apartment’s concierge, beats me to it.
Antonio carries our beach bags as he follows us into the building. “Everything okay?” he asks as he looks at Haley with concern.
“Yeah. Just a bit of a stressful day.”
“Do you want me to bring these up to your apartment?”
“Thanks, but I can manage.” I sling both of our bags over one shoulder and put my free arm around Haley. As we head for the bank of elevators, I think,Oh God, please don’t let us run into Mack.I really don’t want to explain to him why his daughter looks like she’s been through the ringer.
Fortunately, we don’t run into anyone we know on our way up.
“Why don’t you go take a hot shower?” I say as soon as I get her into my apartment.
She shakes her head. “I just want to change into dry clothes and sit on the sofa for a while.”
“Okay. Undress in the bathroom, and I’ll bring you something to wear. I’ll put your wet clothes in the dryer.”
While she’s in the bathroom, I search my closet for something suitable for her to put on. All my clothes are going to be huge on her, so I do the best I can. I grab a clean pair of gray sweats and a plain white, long-sleeve T-shirt. That should keep her warm. I hope she doesn’t mind going commando. My underwear are way too big for her.
While I’m in my room, I quickly change into a pair of jeans and a gray Henley shirt. And on my way out, I grab a pair of white sport socks so her feet will be warm.
“Ready for some clothes?” I ask as I knock on the bathroom door.
“Yes.” She opens the door and sticks her hand out for the clothes.
“Here you go. Let me have your wet things.”
She hands me her clothes and swimsuit, all cold and wet still.
“While you’re getting dressed, I’ll start on something for lunch. What sounds good? I could order something in, or I could make grilled cheese sandwiches. I have some potato chips.”
“I would love a grilled cheese.” She peers out at me through the partially open door. “Thank you.”
I leave her to finish getting dressed and head to the kitchen. After putting her wet clothes in the dryer and hanging up her swimsuit to dry, I return to the kitchen and start making lunch. I cook for myself all the time, just easy, basic stuff, but I’m not used to cooking for someone else.
By the time the food is ready, I carry our plates and some napkins out to the living room. Haley’s seated on the sofa, with her feet drawn up. She looks adorable in my oversized clothes.
“Here we go,” I say as I set the plates on the coffee table. “I’ll grab some drinks. You want a Coke?”
“Sure.” She laughs. “How about adding some whiskey?”
I’m pretty sure she’s kidding. “Um, if you don’t mind, let’s skip the whiskey. If your dad ever found out I plied his underaged daughter with booze, he’d never forgive me.”
I come back from the kitchen with two cold soft drinks.
“Thank you,” Haley says as she pops a chip in her mouth.
The color has started to return to her face, and she’s no longer shaking.
