Page 14 of Inked Temptation
The nightmare hadn’t been that bad this time.
I didn’t go more than a few days without a nightmare, but it sort of worried me that it had been long enough without such a bad one that I woke up throwing up or not able to sleep for a week.
My therapist would have said something helpful about that, but that would require me to go back to my therapist, and I wasn’t really in the mood. That’s why I had bought this damn place after all and had moved out here—to get away from it all.
I sighed, finished my coffee, and followed Cora back to the house. Apparently, we were on a schedule today that I was unaware of.
As soon as my door opened, my brows raised and I realized why Cora had been in such a hurry to get back to the house even when it was only six in the morning.
“There you are. I took the liberty of making myself some coffee.”
I rolled my eyes at Penny. “Well then, make yourself at home.”
“Of course, I did. I can do what I want. I’m old.”
I moved past her and made myself a second cup. “Whatever. If you’re going to callyourselfold, I must be ancient.”
“Of the soul and the body are two separate things, darling.”
I ignored that pointed remark because she was right.
“You’re telling me you went for such a long walk that you sweated through your top but only took a single mug of coffee?
“It was a large cup, and it was in a travel mug. It was enough.”
“From those dark circles under your eyes, I think you’re a liar.”
“I’m fine. I’ll drink water after this. And, who knows, maybe I’ll even have a glass of whiskey with you later.”
“I do love our whiskey nights, and a glass of pinot noir every once in a while.”
“I only drink with you around, Penny. Don’t worry. I’m a hermit, but not a completely self-destructive one.”
“Cora doesn’t think you’re a hermit.” She sipped her coffee, studying my face too clearly.
“What is it?” I asked with a sigh.
“How’s your back from that fall?” she asked, reaching down to pet the top of Cora’s head as she leaned heavily into the woman.
I shrugged, the pain fading. “It’s been a few days. I’m fine. I didn’t hit that hard, and the leaves were close enough.”
“Not close enough to catch all of your fall. I’m glad you helped the neighbor, though. I met him yesterday.”
My brows winged up. “You did?”
“Offhandedly, I waved and welcomed him to the neighborhood, even though he said he was just building, before I headed off. I had a yoga class.”
I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, so I did my best to lead the conversation from any dangerous areas. “Now that you’ve met him, he can be your problem.”
“I wasn’t aware he was your problem before,” she teased.
“Stop it.” I knew I shouldn’t have said the words before they left my mouth, but now there was no going back.
“I don’t think I will. Anyway, you know he’s a plumber.”
I closed my eyes and drained my coffee quickly, ignoring the heat. “Of course he is.”
“And of course you know, because I’m sure you two already talked about it. And I know that you need a plumber after that jackhole walked out on you.”
