I pulled at the hem of the shirt. “I like them.”
“You can keep them then, but you will need more than just one shirt and an old pair of boxers.”
I titled my head to the side. “Why?”
He licked his lips and bowed his head. “It’s just a normal thing to do.”
“I haven’t been normal for a long time, have I?” I felt like a moron for asking such stupid questions. Of course, I hadn’t been normal, but my definition of normal had been tainted for so long, and I was completely baffled by everything that was happening.
“You’ll be normal in no time, sweetheart. Don’t worry about that.” His large hand landed on my thigh and for the first time, it felt comforting to be touched.
A light tap sounded on the door.
“Hello?” A gorgeous woman with long flowing brown curls peeked her head into the room. “How’s it going in here?”
Reese got up to hug her. “Crickett, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. It’s been way too long.”
“It’s always nice when we get company in these parts. Y’all need to visit more.” She pushed him away, patting him on the arm.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I watched as they lovingly bantered back and forth. I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen another woman. I was in awe of her.
“You must be Katherine.” Her kind, dark eyes landed on mine as I tried to smile.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I choked out as she sat next to me on the bed.
“We’re going to get some food in that belly and some gorgeous clothes for you, honey. Don’t you worry.” Her hand rested on my shoulder, and I instinctively cowered away.
Her hands shot up as she backed away a little. “Sorry. I am just a lover and want you to be comfortable.”
I straightened up a bit. “Habit,” I mumbled as the smile returned to her face.
“You know, I came here not too long ago myself. I was in a bad way, and these men saved me, too.”
The comfort I found in those words struck deep into my core.
“Really?”
She nodded. “Without them, I don’t know what I would have done. They’re some of the best guys I have ever met in my life.”
Reese was grinning from ear to ear, propped up in the corner. “Don’t give us all the credit. You’re a part of this family, Crickett. I don’t know what we would do without you.”
She whipped her head around to look at him. “You’re just saying that because you love my chili and drink all of my beer.”
He pursed his lips. “Guilty,” Reese teased. “I really do love your cooking.
“Chili?” The memory of my mom’s homemade chili that we had on Sundays started to return, giving me all the warm and fuzzy feelings I had been missing.
“I’ll have Abel get it started, and how about us two girls go raid my closet for some clothes for you?” Crickett offered me her hand, and I just stared at it. “Don’t worry, sugar, I don’t bite.”
Hesitantly, I placed my palm on hers. “Thank you.”
“Playing dress-up is fun, you’ll see.”
After Crickett barked a couple of orders at the men in the kitchen so they’d get supper on the stove, I followed her up the stairs to a sprawling room with a huge walk-in closet.
I sat on the end of the giant bed. “Is this all yours?”