Free Hurt by Lila Bruce Page A

the other bedroom.”
    Jamie turned to look at Sundae, who was stopped in the doorway of the room. The blonde woman looked at the king-sized bed that sat against the far wall and then back to Jamie.
    “Jamie…is that…”
    “A Johnny Cash bedspread? It sure is.”
    “Where on earth—you know what, never mind. I don’t even want to know,” Sundae said and walked into the room. She looked around admiringly. “Jamie, this is really nice. It’s so much bigger than I expected it to be.”
    Jamie walked over to the window by the closet and looked out at the large, fenced in backyard. “You know, I really don’t know what I was thinking when I bought this house. It’s always been too big for me.”
    “Well, I think it’s a perfect size for me and Tom. That kitchen was gorgeous. And this bedroom? Oh my God, look at that bathroom.” Jamie turned to see Sundae standing at the threshold of the bathroom. She spun around and shook her head at Jamie. “This bathroom is the size of my first house.”
    “It is kinda something, isn’t it?” Jamie grinned. Jamie had to admit the master bathroom was one of the main things that had sold her on the house. “The shower is amazing, I’ll have to say. Here, let me show you this shower head. It’s called Rainforest,” Jamie said, crossing the distance between the window and the bathroom. She stepped in the shower stall and accidentally bumped the handle, giving a small shriek as water suddenly erupted from the huge shower nozzle that was pointing straight down at her. Jamie frantically hit at the small, silver handle, but it was too late. Drenched, she glared out from the shower stall at Sundae, who was leaning up against the sink laughing.
    “Shit,” Jamie swore, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel. Noticing some of the water had splashed out onto Sundae as well, she threw another one to the woman and began to apologize. “My God, I’m so sorry. I got you too, didn’t I?”
    “Yeah, but it’s okay,” Sundae said, smiling and wiping her eyes. “The water wasn’t hot, I hope.”
    Jamie shook her head.
    “No, but I think I’m going to have to put on some dry clothes. Damn it.”
    “Bless your heart. What time are the other people coming to look at the house today? Do you have time to change?”
    “At eleven,” Jamie answered. “But I’m not going to be here when they are. I told the agent I would leave the key under the little garden gnome off the front porch. I do need to go into the station for a little bit.” Jamie looked at Sundae and grimaced. “You won’t mind if I change right quick?”
    “Oh Lord, no. Go ahead. I can make myself at home while you’re at it.”
    “I won’t be five minutes,” Jamie promised. “Walk around, take a look at the backyard, or just sit on the bed. Whatever you want to do. I’ll make it quick.”
    Sundae tossed a glance behind her at the bed and shook her head with a laugh.
    “I’ll just walk around, thank you. That bedspread scares me.”
    Jamie laughed as she stepped to the closet, turning back toward Sundae and giving a little snort. “Don’t be a hater.”
    Jamie walked into the closet and quickly unbuttoned the wet blouse, slipped off the wet pants and tossed them both in a white plastic laundry basket sitting by the doorway. She made a mental note to move them to the washer before she left the house so they wouldn’t mildew. Jamie pulled a white cotton blouse down from one of the hangers lining the closet, went over to the dresser and snagged a pair of jeans before stepping back into the bedroom.
    “I really can’t say that much about you and your thing with Johnny Cash,” Sundae was saying as she looked out the window to the backyard. “Tom is a huge Auburn fan. Half my house is blue and orange.” The blonde woman turned as Jamie exited the walk-in closet. “Oh my word, I would murder to have abs like that. You can’t tell me that you don’t work out.”
    “I don’t, really,” Jamie