on her and now a skunk. I’ve lived here my whole life and never once found myself in a skunk’s crosshairs. What the hell did she ever do to deserve this kind of punishment? She believes in fate, but it pisses me off that she’s been dealt a shitty hand lately. I let my gaze go lower and wince. Shit, she’s barefoot. We’ll have to tend to the soles of her feet once we get her cleaned.
“Do I have to bathe in tomato juice?” she asks, her face twisted in disgust.
“No, that masks the smell. We actually use baking soda, dishwashing liquid, and hydrogen peroxide together to get rid of it.”
Mom comes back out with a bucket and sets it on my stoop. “I’ll leave to give you privacy, and I’ll make sure my other sons stay inside until you’re done, Alyson.”
Alyson plugs her nose and breathes through her mouth. “Thank you, Mrs. Andrews,” she says, her voice coming out like she just sucked back helium.
“Oh, honey, call me Barbara.”
“Thanks, Barbara, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to throw everyone’s morning into chaos.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. We’ll get you all cleaned up and right as rain again. The boys will also help you scrub your place clean, and you’ll stay at the homestead until your place is liveable.”
“No, I can’t do that.”
“You’re right. Tyler is always up late listening to that heavy metal music. It’s enough to wake the dead. They just don’t make music like they used to. It’s a better idea if you stay with Jay.” She waves her finger, but Alyson’s eyes blink rapidly as she tries to keep up with the conversation. “I’m glad you thought of it.”
Clearly baffled at this turn of events, Alyson says, “I…I don’t think I did.”
I glare at my mother, who won’t meet my gaze. She’s not fooling me. I know exactly what she’s up to. Putting Alyson and me in close quarters isn’t going to end up with us married. Besides, she already said she knew Alyson wasn’t my type. Or was she just fucking with me?
“Jay has a pull-out sofa and air-conditioned comforter.”
“Mom—”
“It’s settled.” With a tip of her chin, she turns and walks away.
Alyson gulps and turns to me.
“What just happened?”
“You can take my bed until your house is cleaned. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
“I know you don’t like to ask for help, but we’ve already been through that, right?” I say with a grin.
She glances at her discarded clothes. “That shirt was kind of itchy anyway.”
I dip a sponge into the bucket and step up to her. She smiles up at me, and my gut twists as she tries to find the best in this situation.
“We can get you new clothes,” I tell her.
“I… That skunk really freaked me out.” Her chest heaves, and she takes a deep breath.
“I know. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. Close your eyes for a sec.” I press the sponge to her hair, and it drips down her body. She quivers, and I resist the urge to pull her in for a hug. “We’ll soak you in this stuff for a bit, and it will help.”
“Thanks,” she says quietly.
“Maybe you should close the market for the day,” I suggest.
She shakes her head fast, and the solution sprays me. “No, I can’t do that.”
“You don’t always have to be stubborn, you know.”
“I am not stubborn.”
“Yeah, you are.” Before she can argue, I say, “I’ll get Beck or Tyler to work it, and I’m not taking no for an answer.” She goes quiet, and I carefully and gently wash her with the solution. I move her bra straps, not wanting to miss an inch of her skin.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” she says.
“I never met a woman who had trouble with clothes quite the way you do,” I say, a teasing note to my tone.
“This isn’t funny,” she shoots back, but there’s a hint of laughter in her voice. Honest to God, she really is a good sport when she has every reason to be pissed off, especially if this was done on purpose.
“I never said it was.” I stand back and look her over, and my God, she’s even sexy with solution all over her.
Down, boy.
She glares at me. “You’re not supposed to be enjoying this.”
“I know.” I try not to grin but fail miserably. She’s a mess, and I should not be looking at her with lust or groaning with want.