LITMIR.BIZ

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by the door and walked out. “What about my car?”

      Rafe opened the passenger door to his Navigator and froze when he caught the look of panic in her eyes. He cupped her cheeks in his hands. “Cher,” he crooned, “we’ll take your car if you want, and leave mine here. I’ll take a cab to the airfield.”

      The burn of tears threatened to spill. She blinked rapidly and nodded in agreement. “Thank you,” she whispered.

      He leaned down and gently kissed her lips. “I know, darlin’,” he said in his easy drawl. “This isn’t what you want. But I promise, it’s going to be all right. Trust me.” He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Trust me.”

      Avery swallowed over the dry knot in her throat. “I do.”

      “Good.” He shut the passenger door of his Navigator, took her keys, walked around and opened her car door.

      Avery tossed her tote on the back seat while Rafe stowed her bags in the trunk and then got in behind the wheel.

      “Listen...” He buckled his seat belt. “I know you crave your space.” He reached across the gearshift and took her hand. “All I want is to make sure you’re okay. That you’re safe. I’d make myself crazy in ’Nawlins worrying about you. I want to take care of you, cher. Let me,” he added gently.

      Avery leaned in and lightly kissed him. “I know...thank you...really.”

      He gave her a reflective look as he caressed her chin with his thumb. Then he turned the key in the ignition and pulled off.

      * * *

      Less than an hour later, Rafe eased Avery’s car down the driveway of his Arlington, Virginia, home. He shut off the engine, just as Alice pulled the front door open and stepped out. She hurried over to the car.

      “Mr. Rafe. So good to have you home. And Ms. Avery.” She wrapped her arms around Avery in a motherly hug and buzzed her cheek with a kiss. “Come, come. Let’s get you settled. Are you hungry?”

      Avery giggled. “I’m fine, Alice. Thanks.”

      “I have everything all prepared. You can stay in the guest room, or Mr. Rafe’s room,” she added with a wink and then led them inside. “And I made a tray of snacks just in case,” she tossed over her shoulder.

      Rafe glanced at Avery. The smile on her face eased the knot of tension in his gut. He slid an arm around her waist and they walked inside.

      * * *

      Avery held Rafe’s hand that rested on her hip. “Thank you for this,” she said.

      “Nothing to thank me for.” He squeezed her hip. “I want you to be taken care of. Anything you need, let Alice know.” He grinned. “She loves taking care of people.”

      “Your car is here!” Alice called out.

      “See.” He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Sorry, darlin’. I need to get going. Want to beat this weather.”

      Avery looped her arm through his, and they walked out of his bedroom, downstairs and out to the car that waited to take him to the airport.

      “I’ll call you when I get in.”

      “Fly safe.”

      “Always.” He kissed her lightly. “Love you.” He glanced past her toward the house. “Take care of my woman,” he called out to Alice, who stood on the front steps. He gave Avery one last hug. “Call you tonight.”

      Avery nodded and stepped back as he got in the car, before taking a quick look at the overcast sky.

      The car door slammed, and the car slowly eased down the driveway and out to the street. Avery felt a rush of emptiness open inside her. A warm arm slid around her shoulders and held her close. Alice smiled knowingly up at her.

      “Mr. Rafe will be fine, and back before you know it. Come inside. You must try my jambalaya! Just a little taste,” she teased with a sparkle in her eyes.

      “I’d love some.”

      * * *

      “Oh. My. God. This is sooo good,” Avery gushed, finishing off another mouthful.

      Alice beamed. “Have as much as you like. There’s plenty.” She pulled out a chair and sat opposite Avery at the circular wrought-iron and reclaimed-wood table.

      “I am so happy that Mr. Rafe finally settled down.”

      Avery glanced up from beneath her lashes.

      “His heart was so broken...after Janae.” She slowly shook her head. “I didn’t think he would ever be the same.” She turned her palms up. “And he’s not,” she said succinctly. “He’s better.” She wagged a finger at Avery. “Because of you.”

      “What...was he like after...”

      Alice’s open expression grew somber. Her brows tightened. She spread her palms down on the table. “Rafe was always a little wild and reckless, especially with that motorcycle of his. But after Janae, whatever piece of himself that kept him halfway grounded broke. On the outside, he was the same—that easy smile, the charm, the chivalry. But there was a darkness that settled inside him. He took crazy chances, went from relationship to relationship, in constant conflict with his father—more than usual. I was afraid for him. Every time he got behind the wheel, or on that bike or up in that plane of his, I prayed.” She made a quick sign of the cross. “Because I knew, under that smile, he didn’t care about his own life anymore.”

      “I had no idea,” she murmured.

      “I’d been with the family for years, but when Rafe decided to take over this house, I came here. He needed someone to look after him since he wasn’t going to look after himself. Back in ’Nawlins, he has his sisters and brother.”

      “The move had to be hard on you.”

      “I’ve been taking care of Mr. Rafe and his family since they were running around in shorts. He’s like a son to me.” She lowered her voice as if she feared being overheard. “Always was my favorite.” She winked.

      Avery grinned.

      “Then he met you and the light came back to his eyes. His laughter is real again and that...thing that drove him to be so reckless seems to have stepped into the background. He wants to be around for you.”

      Avery’s throat tightened. “How’d you know I needed to hear this today?”

      Alice patted Avery’s fisted hand. “I haven’t spent half my life taking care of people without being able to spot need in someone.”

      “I’m glad he has you in his life.”

      Alice pushed up to her feet. “Now that you’re part of the family, I’ll be looking after you, too. And I think you could use a hot bath, a fluffy robe and a good movie.”

      Avery tossed her head back and laughed. “You read my mind. Alice, can I ask you something?”

      “Of course.” She collected the plates.

      “How do I get Dominique, Desiree and Lee Ann to...let me have my own wedding?”

      Alice pursed her lips. “Hmm, those three sisters together are like a hurricane, with Dominique at the center of the storm.” She turned on the faucet in the sink, rinsed the plates and put them in the dishwasher. “They adore their brother, and they’re so thrilled that he’s happy again—they want to orchestrate every detail of the occasion for him.” She dried her hands on a black-and-white striped towel, blew out a breath. “One piece of advice I can offer, you don’t want to get in between Rafe and his sisters. If what they’re doing is too much, talk to them. Make sure you’re part of the plans and decisions. All of you women love him, so do it together.”

      Avery bobbed her head. “Thanks.” She got up. “In the meantime, I’m going to take your advice and sit

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