Making a Comeback. Kristina Mathews

the meal, Cooper stood and started collecting the plates.

      “You don’t have to clean up,” Annabelle protested. She rose stiffly out of her chair. “You’ve done enough already.”

      “I’ve got it.” He carried the dishes to the sink and rinsed them before loading them into the dishwasher. “I’ll take care of cleaning up in here, if you take care of the cleanup with those two.”

      “Thank you.” Annabelle was impressed by the way he just did what he could to help. He didn’t complain or wait for direction. He just came in, got the job done, and was ready for the next time she needed him.

      As much as she hated to admit it, she did need him.

      She couldn’t drive. She couldn’t shop for groceries. Heck, she couldn’t even stay awake through a Disney movie. The only thing she could do was accept help and hope that he didn’t feel like she was taking advantage of him.

      Annabelle followed Olivia and Sophie upstairs. They were already in the bathroom and undressed by the time she made her way up to the second floor. Everything hurt, every muscle, every bone. At least her headache was better. It only hurt when she moved too suddenly.

      She turned on the water in the tub, testing the temperature before letting the girls get in. At least they were old enough that she didn’t have to squat down next to the tub to bathe them. Now she just had to hand them the bottle of shampoo and they could wash their own hair.

      They were probably old enough take their baths without her supervision, but she still liked having this time at the end of the day when they chatted about what went on in their lives. She knew it wouldn’t be long before they would demand privacy. Soon enough, they would share their secrets with each other and keep them from her.

      She’d have to enjoy helping them into their jammies and reminding them to brush their teeth while she still could.

      “Okay girls, crawl in bed while I find a story to read.” She approached the bookshelf, wondering how long this ritual would last. They were already reading simple books they brought home from school. Miss Ramirez had recommended the Biscuit stories about a cute little puppy, and the girls were gobbling them up like candy.

      “Can Cooper sing to us again?” Olivia asked.

      “Yeah. Can he?” Sophie nearly leaped out of bed in excitement.

      “He’s done a lot for us already…” Annabelle hated to ask for more.

      “Please?” both girls begged.

      “I’ll ask him.” She hoped her daughters didn’t get too attached to their neighbor. But she had a feeling it was already too late.

      Cooper was more than willing to sing to her daughters. He’d brought his guitar and her heart swelled as she watched her daughters smile and clap and sing along with Cooper’s songs.

      Finally, Sophie and Olivia nodded off to sleep.

      “Thank you,” Annabelle whispered as they crept out of the girls’ bedroom. “You’ve been terrific. They’re absolutely smitten, you know.”

      “Please. I’m no Prince Charming.” He stood in the hallway, looking uncomfortable. “I’m just a regular guy.”

      “No. You’re more than that.” She wondered how much they’d shared. But she was afraid it would hurt him if he knew she couldn’t remember.

      “Look, I sang a few songs. It’s not like saving lives or something.”

      “You’re too modest.” She wished there was some way to show her gratitude. “Too good to be true.”

      * * * *

      Oh hell. She thought he was one of the good guys. He’d been afraid of that. He really needed to set her straight.

      “You don’t even know me.” He thought for sure she’d have recognized him by now. She had been, by the laws of community property, one of his former owners. Even with his longer hair and beard, she should have recognized him as one of the Goliaths players.

      “Oh no.” She looked horrified. “You’re someone famous, aren’t you? You’re a rock star, or something?”

      “No. I’m not a rock star.” It was all he could do not to laugh. But she sounded so sincere. “I have played with a few bands you’ve probably heard of. Filling in here and there, you know, a couple of charity events, or a last minute replacement when the regular guitarist was sent back to rehab and well…the show must go on.”

      “So what do you do?”

      He’d known the question would come up eventually.

      “I’m a professional beach bum.” He offered a grin that once-upon-a-time made women swoon. “Actually, I’m between jobs at the moment.”

      “Oh.” Her expression changed and she looked disappointed. Or maybe she was embarrassed for him. “I guess that makes two of us.”

      “You’re a beach bum, too?”

      “I am now.” She tried to smile. Half of her face cooperated. But the left side couldn’t quite pull it off. “And I’m also between jobs. I was hoping to resurrect my modeling career, but…”

      She closed her eyes. It must be difficult for her to give up on a dream before she was ready.

      He stood there, wondering what he could do to help. Even as he knew he’d already done too much. He’d already inserted himself into their lives more than was good for any of them.

      “Well…” She let out a sigh and wiped her hands on her thighs. “The guest room is still made up for you.”

      “Thanks.” He had a feeling she didn’t want him there. Or maybe she did. It was hard to read the expression in her blue eyes.

      “I guess I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” She started for her room.

      “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay up for a while. Maybe watch a little TV.” Try to take his mind off spending another night so close to Annabelle.

      “Sure. Make yourself comfortable.” She hesitated, as if there was something else she wanted to say, and broke eye contact. When she glanced up again, she had a look of confusion on her face. “Did we... I mean, have we ever…”

      He stepped closer. Couldn’t help himself. Gently, he reached up and stroked her right cheek. “No, Annabelle. We’ve never… Trust me, you’d remember if we’d ever gone to bed together.”

      He flashed a teasing grin, acknowledging the sexual tension between them.

      “Oh. Good.” She sounded relieved, and maybe a tiny bit disappointed. She shook her head again, but it wasn’t in disagreement. More like she was trying to shake things loose. Or into place.

      “I am such a jerk.” He would have hit himself upside the head, but that would have been even more insulting. “You really don’t remember.”

      “I remember more than I did yesterday, but no…” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I don’t recall a lot of things.”

      He squeezed his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her.

      “Do you remember the accident?”

      “No. Not really. Just blood and shattered glass.” She shook her head slowly. “I don’t remember much about any of that day. I don’t remember taking the girls to school, or driving to my photo shoot. I do remember someone doing my hair, my makeup. Kind of like snapshots, but it’s like I lost the whole day.”

      He shoved his hands in his pockets.

      “I don’t…” She bit her lower lip. “I don’t even remember how we met.”

      Something in the tone of her voice made him reach for her.

      “I got your mail