Wayward Hearts by Susan Anne Mason Page B

don’t tell me there’s a herd of cows needing shelter as well.”
    Jason chuckled. “No livestock. The chicken coop wasn’t touched, thank goodness.”
    She smiled and laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’re a good man, Jason Hanley. Now go get some sleep.”
    “Thanks, Ma. Sleep sounds like heaven right about now.”
    He’d worry about the rest when he woke up.
     
    ****
     
    Maxi groaned as she attempted to get up to use the bathroom. Every muscle ached, and her chest wheezed like she’d been smoking for fifty years. She hadn’t gotten much sleep with the constant whirring of machines, nurses coming and going, and checking her oxygen levels. But the doctor had been in to see her earlier and given her good news. She would be released later in the day—a fact that should be cause for celebration, but Maxi couldn’t shake her unease. She’d feel better once she knew for certain her mother was out of danger. Now to figure out how bad the house had been damaged and whether they could go back there or not. She’d give her right arm for a cell phone right about now.
    She’d returned to her bed and got settled under the covers when Jason poked his head around the doorframe. “You decent?”
    “Aren’t I always?”
    He grinned and then stepped into the room, a huge bouquet of flowers in his arms. Maxi blinked, suspicion blooming as he handed them to her. Jason wasn’t the flower-giving type of guy. He must have bad news to resort to this.
    “OK. Give it to me straight.”
    “What? Aren’t you supposed to bring flowers when someone’s in the hospital?”
    “Save it for one of your girlfriends. What aren’t you telling me?” She tried not to notice how good he looked, his chestnut hair waving over his forehead. And he smelled like he’d just stepped out of the shower. All fresh and spicy.
    He grew serious as he pulled a chair over to her bed side and sat down. “The barn’s completely gone.”
    Maxi sucked in a breath. She hadn’t really allowed herself to imagine what toll the fire might have taken. Then the irony of the situation struck her full force. How many times had she wished for this very thing to happen? That the farm would disappear. Now when she needed it in tip-top shape, a fire destroyed it. Was God trying to sabotage her life again?
    “Hey, you OK?”
    She pulled her attention back to Jason. “Yeah. What about the house?”
    “There’s some damage to the roof and the second floor.” He got up to take the flowers from her and set them on the windowsill.
    “So we’ll have to live on the first floor for now?”
    “Not exactly.”
    Her patience evaporated. “Spit it out, Hanley. Bottom line.”
    He reclaimed his chair, his expression grim. “The house won’t be livable for a while. So my mom wants you and Bernice to stay with us until the repairs are done.”
    Instant panic rose in her chest. She could not stay in the same house as Jason. Sleep down the hall from him. Shower in the same bathroom as him. Not without her old feelings flaring up stronger than ever. “I’m sure Lily can put us up,” she said, not meeting his eyes.
    “They’re renovating the main floor, remember? Besides your mom can’t do the stairs there. And I don’t think Lily needs all the extra work in her condition. Nick’s on her like a hawk about taking it easy.”
    Jason watched her a little too closely. Could he sense her discomfort? When no other solution would come to her frazzled mind, she finally shrugged. “OK. Guess we’ll be roomies for a while.”
    His lip twitched. “Please, curb your enthusiasm. My ego can’t take it.”
    She hit his arm. “Cut it out. My life is in ruins, and you’re making jokes.”
    “Sorry.” With that glint in his eye, he didn’t seem the least bit remorseful. “Look, we’ll get the house fixed. I promise. I’ve already called a few guys about getting a team together to rebuild the barn. The only hold up will be the investigation…” He clamped his lips shut