Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Lily woke with a purring sound and a paw patting her face. Blinking, it took her a moment to recall that she had slept on the sleeper sofa in the living room as Dillon occupied her one and only bed. Her glow in the dark watch that she purposely wore to bed read a few minutes past five.

“Let me guess. You and the babies are hungry again?” Automatically, she stroked her fingers over the calico’s face and down her back. She had learned a while ago that sleeping wouldn’t happen if Hope had other plans. The cat ruled the house and all its occupants whether she knew it or not. Who was she kidding? Hope realized that fact and ruled regally. With a sigh, Lily climbed out of bed, heading for the kitchen and canned cat food. At least Hope seemed to have taken the invasion in her stride. She didn’t appear nervous or pensive with the appearance of the guys. With any luck, it would stay that way. She had worked too hard and spent more than she could afford to get that cat back to a healthy state. No way would she let anything interfere with that now.

“Brrrr.” Rubbing her arms, she made a quick stop at the thermostat, turning the heat up a bit. She purposely kept the setting low to help ease the electric bill owing to her strained budget with the record low temperatures they were experiencing this November. But she really couldn’t expect to freeze her guests, either. With a sigh, she grabbed up breakfast for her small brood.

No sooner had she opened the cans than the kittens, along with their mother, dashed over to busily inhale their early morning breakfast. The high calorie canned kitten food cost an arm and a leg each time at the vet’s office, but she couldn’t refuse them. Not when they obviously loved the stuff. Even though she kept a large bowl full of dry kitten morsels, they much preferred the wet food—like a kid faced with eating broccoli who ate everything else first. Taking a moment to watch the furry family, she sighed with quiet pleasure, then glanced back at the clock on the kitchen wall. “Time for antibiotics.”

She walked over to the tiny spare refrigerator that Carson had brought that held the IV antibiotics. Upon selecting the correct variety, she carried it quietly into the bedroom.

Dillon slept on his right side, curled up to face the door. He looked like a teenager, a ‘baby face’ people would call him. Way too young to be in such a dangerous profession—although his physical features told a different story. The linens halfway covered him, revealing his borrowed scrubs that did little to hide his body, especially with the pant legs cut off. Large and obviously powerful, he rivaled Cale in brute mass, not like a bodybuilder, but more like a powerful man used to hours of manual labor each day. Strength born out of the life he led instead of working out in a controlled gym setting.

She easily saw why Della had chosen Dillon—his looks, his easy smile, and pretty face. Put those together and most women would eagerly line up for a chance at him.

Glancing over, she found Cale asleep on his other side in the large bed, his back to his brother. Sweats covered his bottom half while a black matching T-shirt completed the package she could see around the thick bed comforter. He, too, bore the look of an athletic, fit male in his prime. No one could miss the bulging muscles and ease of movement he’d shown before, like a talented athlete well versed in the actions of his body.

Her focus lifted. A square jaw promised stubbornness to the nth degree while sharp angles created a particularly masculine face, much like the work of a superb sculptor. Not as youthful, innocent, or beautiful as Dillon’s features, but more rugged. Short dark brown hair added an interesting contrast to his light blue eyes. Once he lost the continuous scowl in rest, Cale appeared all the more handsome and approachable. If only he smiled. A twinge of sadness washed over her at the thought of Cale never cracking a grin. Life was too short to not share laughs now and again.

She had offered him the sleeper sofa last night, which he’d immediately declined, refusing to leave Dillon. Not that she blamed him. She’d also pointed out that the king-sized bed had more than enough room for them both. There was no sense in sleeping on a cold hardwood floor when he didn’t have to. He must have agreed considering his position at the moment.

Lily quietly moved to the IV pump. The only one owned by the small clinic and a necessary tool for her. An alarm would sound if the fluids ran out or if there was a problem with his IV line. So much better than just running everything on gravity like the old days. Half the time the fluids would slow down allowing the plastic needle in Dillon’s arm to clot off, or, just the opposite, it would run really well and the bag would be empty in no time. Trying to keep a continuous set amount going on a gravity drip was never easy or exact.

“It’s just me, Dillon. Time for your next antibiotic. I’ll just get it going and let you sleep,” she whispered, afraid of startling him awake with her close presence. Military types and men of war probably had built in reflexes to take someone down if not completely out if they got too close when a man snapped awake. She’d cared for more than one war veteran in her hospital nursing career. Most were good guys still carrying deep wounds. Typically, they warned her to stay away until they were good and awake for her own safety. She could only presume the ideology carried over to this situation as well.

Dillon mumbled but didn’t bother to open his eyes. She smiled, but quickly went about putting the syringe full of medication on the machine and programming it to infuse. That task complete, her attention fell to the other man in the room once more.

“Nice pajamas,” Cale muttered from his side of the bed.

Lily blinked, a bit surprised that he was not only awake, but that he had addressed her. Cale probably slept like a wolf, waking up with each and every sound and motion. Predator. The billing fit him.

She glanced down at her robin egg blue pajamas covered with animated kittens in all shapes, sizes, colors, poses, and activities, and shrugged. They were comfortable, and who didn’t like kittens? The hoarse words could have been either amusement or sarcasm. She opted for the former. “Thanks.”

When no further comments followed, she tiptoed out of the bedroom, heading for the kitchen to get an early start on her baking.

* * * *

A couple of hours later, she finally heard rustling coming from the bedroom. Pulling the freshly made cinnamon rolls from the oven, she called over her shoulder, “Your clothes are clean and hanging in the laundry room. Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes.”

No one answered her, but she caught a glimpse of Cale in sweats striding through the house, presumably looking for suitable day clothing to wear. She’d done the very same thing not too long ago, pulling on old worn jeans and a sweatshirt—warm and comfortable.

She set about preparing breakfast, fixing a large batch of scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage, having absolutely no idea what they liked or wanted to eat. Since the whole world minus her seemed to require coffee in the mornings, she set the unused java maker in the corner to working with the flavored variety she had picked up the day before on impulse. Some people remained cross and as sociable as a crocodile with a sore tail until they had a few cups of the strong liquid.

A loud grunt sent her dashing around the corner. The scene had her skidding to a halt and hollering, her lungs clenching in panic. “The babies!”

Dillon wobbled on crutches still wearing the scrubs he had gone to sleep in last night, trying to negotiate a path to the kitchen while avoiding the six week old kittens under foot. “Watch it!” he called down to them, listing heavily to his injured leg side, but they simply swatted at his foot.

Deftly, Cale reached around Dillon’s leg, scooping the girls out of danger’s way while wrapping an arm around his brother’s waist, stabilizing and steadying him until Dillon regained his balance. The metal pole holding the IV pump stopped where Cale released it.

“Thanks, bro.”

“No problem.”

Dillon continued on his way, the path now cleared of any obstacle that might impede his progress.

Once Dillon had made his way to the kitchen, Cale gently set both kittens on the floor, giving them a quick stroke down each of their backs.

Lily breathed a sigh of relief, thankful for Cale’s quick hands and thinking. Otherwise, Dillon could have taken a harsh fall or one of the kittens could have been stepped on, or worse. She didn’t want to think about that. Instead, she pasted on a cheery smile. “I didn’t expect to see you up and out of bed so soon.”

A bit out of breath, Dillon hobbled to the nearest chair, pulled it out, and plopped down loudly. “I need to get moving. Can’t lay around in a bed all day. Not if I want to get better.”

“True. But, don’t push yourself too hard. Okay? I don’t want you to suffer a setback.”

Cale pulled out the seat beside his brother. “He needs his butt kicked, not babied.” Unlike Dillon, Cale dressed in all black, an outfit Lily had washed when they had arrived.

Recognizing the now familiar crankiness from Cale, Lily chose to ignore his harsh words. Instead, she turned back to the stove then proceeded to set the hot meal before them. “I wasn’t sure what you guys wanted or liked. And I have homemade cinnamon rolls, too.”

Dillon shoveled some eggs on his plate, then stabbed a sausage round, sticking it in his mouth. “This is wonderful.”

“I guess I did okay, then.” She smiled slightly, unashamedly asking for a compliment in her need to ease the slight tension in the room. Not entirely awkward, the silence lacked warmth.

Both men nodded, too busy eating to talk.

Lily took the remaining chair before absently placing food on her own plate. With such broad-shouldered and big-boned men, Lily felt a bit like a gazelle amidst a whole herd of wildebeest. Not that the men were ugly and scruffy, quite the opposite. Strong chins, sharp eyes, and pronounced bone structure spoke of good genes and high intelligence. They were more like the alpha lions of a pride than shaggy hoofed wildebeest.

A soft squeak broke the silence. Cale looked down by his leg. “What do you want, cat?”

Lily glanced under the table. Hope had decided to visit, standing with her front legs on Cale’s leg, outright begging for food. “She doesn’t care for eggs, but would probably eat the sausage.” Pretty much any time Lily cooked, Hope made sure to check out the tidings, eating what she liked, and sticking her nose up at the rest. For an animal nearly starved to death three months ago, she now proved downright picky, walking away from foods typically craved by cats including the famous favorite feline treat—tuna.

Without hesitation, Cale grabbed his paper towel, cut up a lump of meat, and placed it on the floor. The cat immediately dove in, chewing with gusto.

Dillon smiled at the scene to his left. “Eats you out of house and home, huh?”

“You have no idea.” Lily shook her head with a small grin. Her babies might be spoiled but they were happy and returned her adoration tenfold in the form of companionship and entertainment.

“Doc said you didn’t have any plans for Thanksgiving?” Dillon asked between bites of his scrambled eggs.

Surprised, she stared at Dillon.

He grinned. “I was shot in the leg. Nothing wrong with my ears.”

She returned his expression before sobering. Setting her fork down, she took a moment to wipe her mouth with the towel. “My mother passed away in February of this year. I don’t have any other living relatives.”

Cale looked over his plate at her, but remained mute.

Dillon’s mouth pinched in concern. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks.”

“Your father?”

“He was killed in the line of duty as a beat cop. Bank robbery gone bad.” Her voice fell flat at the blaring reminder of how alone she really was in the world.

“How old were you?” Cale’s deep drawl entered the conversation.

“Fourteen.”

He gave a swift nod. “That explains the Glock in the top drawer of your nightstand.”

Not completely surprised, Lily released an exaggerated gasp. She couldn’t find the energy to get upset over Cale checking out her place thoroughly. She’d probably have done the same thing if it came down to a sibling’s safety. “You fondled my underwear? Isn’t that some sort of fetish or perversion or something?” She fought back a smile, but lost.

Dillon chuckled. Cale’s lips twitched.

Lily rolled her eyes at him, enjoying the byplay and thawing of his frozen demeanor. “I don’t think you’ll fit in my undies. Besides, I’m not sure baby ducklings and bunnies are quite your style.”

Dillon cracked up. Cale released a snort followed by an amused chuckle, the grin making him all the more handsome.

Lily smiled to herself at the small victory and major accomplishment in her book, but dared not delve too deeply into her motives for trying to get this particular man to experience happiness in life. He would only be around a few days then return to his high-secret, high-stress world. Any cracks she made in his steel resolve would surely seal shut as soon as they went their own way. So, why am I even bothering? Because I can’t stand to see him suffer.

“What about you guys? Any family?” Unsure what they could or would share, Lily threw out the generic question. “Have any pets that rule your life?” She glanced at Hope who sat on her haunches, licked her lips, and meowed at Cale once more, receiving another tasty reward for her efforts.

Cale took the lead on this one. “Parents, yes. Demanding pets, no.”

Biting her lip, Lily tossed out another pitch. “Underwear fetish?”

Those light blue eyes sparked with emotion while the corners of his mouth curved upwards in a teasing grin that stole her breath. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

The words threw her for a loop nearly as much as the bright smile had. Never had she imagined she’d see such an expression, much less be the recipient of his smooth attempt at flirting. The low timbre of his voice plucked at deep nerves, causing her belly to do a slow summersault. Her world jiggled then quickly righted itself with newfound knowledge and appreciation.

Lily’s face heated as she began to fan herself with a free hand. Both men laughed at her obvious embarrassment. Still, she couldn’t help her reaction.

“Heathens.” She muttered under her breath, taking a sip of juice to hopefully cool down a bit.

One simple smile turned Cale from taciturn drill sergeant into a living, breathing Adonis who stirred something deep inside her that had remained dormant for as long as she could remember. Passion. Need. Want. Finally, a man who garnered her attention and made her feminine parts sit up and take notice.

All for a man who would walk away and never look back.

Just her terrible luck.