“Thanks.” I smiled and followed after him once he closed the door.
The house was the epitome of rustic and cute. Light-colored floors led the path through the foyer, past a cracked door that a quick glance in told me was a half bath, and straight ahead, a cathedral ceiling opened over an area that consisted of a living room and a kitchen on the right. In the living area was a single gray love seat and two scarred leather recliners. A wood-burning stove was set up in the corner. There was a milk crate working as a side table with a lamp on it. The kitchen was small with green-tiled counters and cupboards the same shade as the log cabin walls with black appliances. There was a plastic coffee container next to a coffee maker, an old jar with sugar, and more things around the counters.
The place was really, really clean and organized. Or maybe every man I’d ever known and lived with was just messy, because for two males living here, it was pretty spectacular. It suddenly made me feel like a slob for having clothes scattered all over the garage apartment, hanging off doors and chairs.
It was cozy and homey and nice.
I really liked it.
I guess in a way it reminded me of people and things that had brought me comfort. And love. Because the two were basically the same, or at least they should be.
“Aurora, right?” the Johnny guy asked, making me look over at him.
“Yeah,” I confirmed. “Ora if you want.”
He flashed me a white smile that was… it was something. “Thanks for calling about Am,” he said as he pointed through the living area and toward another short hall. There were three doors. Through one, I could hear a washing machine going. On the other side was another cracked doorway that was too dark.
“Thank you for letting me in. I was worried about him. I waited around at the hospital as long as I could, but I didn’t see you or Mr. Rhodes again after you went down there to get him, and I went home.” I’d been there until nine.
We stopped outside another cracked door. “He’s awake. I was just in here.”
Johnny knocked, and a raspy “What?” came through the door.
I tried not to snort at the warm greeting as his uncle rolled his eyes and pushed the door open.
I peeked my head inside and found Amos on the bed in boxers and a deep green T-shirt that said “Ghost Orchid” on the front of it. He glanced up from the game console he was holding in his hands and yelped before throwing his hands over his crotch, his face going red.
“Nobody cares what you got under there but you, Am.” Johnny chuckled even as he picked up a pillow I hadn’t seen on the floor and tossed it. The kid dropped it over his lap, eyes wide.
I smiled at him. “I really don’t care, but I can cover my eyes if it’ll make you feel better.” I took a single step inside and didn’t move closer. “I just wanted to check on you. You okay?”
The boy lowered his game console to rest it on top of the pillow, his features still showed his surprise as he muttered in that quiet, shy voice I figured was just part of him, “Yeah.”
“Was it your appendix?”
“Yeah.” His gaze moved to his uncle before returning to me.
“I’m sorry. I’d hoped it was just really bad gas after all.”
He made a face, but he muttered, “I had it removed yesterday.”
“Yesterday?” I turned to look at the uncle who was still standing there, and he tipped his head to the side, like it didn’t make sense to him either that he was free.
“And they let you out already? Is that safe?”
The kid shrugged.
“Huh. I’d be wrapped up in a blanket, crying if I’d just had surgery and was out.”
His mouth went a little flat. He really was an adorable kid. I’d bet he was going to be a real good-looking man someday.
Well, with a dad that looked the way his did, of course he would.
“Well, I brought you some chicken noodle soup. I figure your uncle or your dad can warm it up for you. Unless you’re vegan. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, I’ll bring you something else.”
“I’m not,” he pretty much whispered, moving his attention over my shoulder briefly.
“Oh, good. I’ve got your phone too, by the way. It’s dead now.” I took a step and set it on the dresser next to me, right beside a mound of loose guitar picks and a few packs of strings. “Well, if you need anything, you know where I am. Just yell really loud. I’ll be home the rest of the day, and tomorrow I’m gone from nine to six.” He was still looking at me with these big, round eyes. “I’ll let you rest. Hope you feel better!”