Free Man Of Few Words by Ursula Whistler

soon to help with the steps. I need a shower to get the sex off of me, because I’m sure he’ll smell it.”
    Suzy sniffed. “Had to have been great, then. You have to keep him around for more of that.”
    “I shouldn’t say it was the best sex I’ve had recently, because it’s the only sex I’ve had lately. But, it was. We’re gonna have to share a glass of wine.”
    “Or a whole bottle!”
    “Or a whole bottle, so I can tell you everything.”
    “As long as you include if Boomer hits on you.”
    “What?” Her voice rose higher that she thought possible. She’d met Boomer through her father, and although he was one the younger of the former naval or marine officers, she knew he didn’t think of her that way.
    “You haven’t noticed? C’mon, Kirsten. Seriously?”
    “You’re just misreading him.” She waved over her shoulder, but Suzy’s suspicions about Boomer had raised her own. What had she been missing? And why was she still thinking about Duff? Would she ever get him out of her mind now that she’d had another glorious taste of him?
    ****
    The afternoon was well on its way to evening as Kirsten squinted in the sun. She’d been admiring the new, sturdy staircase for the past ten minutes. The sight of it made her happy, although the cost didn’t. Even that didn’t diminish her spirits too much since she knew she had a paycheck coming at the end of the month. As she moved to the shade, she gave the day high marks despite Duff walking out on her, again.
    She smiled at Boomer as he walked down the new steps from the house. The man might have retired from the military two years ago, but he didn’t look it. His kept his hair short and his body in shape. She’d jogged with him enough times to know that he had more stamina at forty-four than she had at thirty-one. The only thing that showed his age were the lines on his face. He’d done some serious worrying, as he liked to say.
    “Have you walked up them, yet?”
    “Three times while you were loafing inside.” She always teased him, because he did the same to her. They had an easy rapport. He was one of her father’s many friends who she didn’t mind checking on her. The others assumed she needed direction. Boomer showed only friendliness. At least, that’s what she always thought.
    “Just three? We’ll have to get back to training you.”
    “I could handle that. It helps keep the stress away, and I’m sure to have plenty of it. Not about the steps any longer. Thanks, and thanks for bringing such a crew. We slapped this baby up in no time.”
    “You’re welcome, and I wish more homeowners were like you, getting in there along with us.”
    She sat on a step and patted the spot next to her. “You mean getting in the way.”
    Boomer joined her, but he shook his head. “Not at all. I think you kept the boys going, because you didn’t slow down.”
    “I wanted to get this done and out of the way. It seemed like a tangible thing to check off my ever-growing list.” She sighed and closed her eyes. Every time she took a rest, she remembered all she had to do to settle her father’s estate, from bills to pay and the proper forms to file for the clerk of the court.
    Boomer put an arm around her shoulders and gave a squeeze. “I’m here to help with that stuff.”
    She leaned into him. For the second time in a day, she realized how much she missed the feel of a man. “I know. Maybe instead of running tomorrow, you can help me gather all of my dad’s financial papers. I’ve got to send all of the investment firms and bank accounts his death certificate, and he definitely believed in putting his eggs in lots of baskets.”
    “You got it, but let’s toss in some activity, too. It’s good for you.”
    “Thank you for not calling me kid like all the others.” She meant that. Boomer treated her like an equal, and it meant feeling more capable and less dependent on the military machine.
    “Because you’re not.” He put a hand on her chin