Be My Guest by Caroline Clemmons Page B

not the least surprised by her
tone and calmly motioned to the woman to come nearer. "Thank you
for coming over on the weekend, Lily. I hope that means your kids
are feeling better."
    "Ha. Those kids are too ornery to be sick
for long." Lily stepped closer to the swing, peering openly at the
guest.
    Will rose, and indicated Aurora with his
hand. "Lily, this is Aurora O'Shaughnessy, who got trapped in the
flood last night. Aurora, my friend Lily Chapa is my housekeeper
and helps with Kelly."
    The two women exchanged greetings and Will
and stretched, his long arms reaching up until Aurora thought they
would touch the undersurface of the porch roof. "You're right,
Lily, I'm afraid I'm not following Nick's orders in keeping Aurora
out here. She's supposed to be resting.”
    Shouldering her share of the blame, Aurora
explained, "I got cabin fever. It’s a shame to leave, but you're
right. My head is telling me to lie down." Aurora uncurled her legs
and stood up to hand Will the crutches he'd leaned against the side
of the house. "It's just so beautiful here, I hope we can come back
out here this evening at sunset."
    Lily took charge, "Sí. That will be bueno,
if you rest now. I'll help Will barbecue a couple of steaks out
here on the grill. Once the sun sets, this moist air will be cool."
Lily gave Aurora an appraising glance. "We'll have to get some
warmer clothes on you so you can sit and watch the sun go down
while you eat dinner."
    Will half-turned toward his housekeeper as
if struck by a sudden idea. "Hey, Lily, maybe you could ask your
family over here to eat this evening and we could have a barbecue
together."
    "Ha. That proves you're loco for sure, pobre
amigo." Lily shook her head and put her hands once more on her
hips. "That's not what you need." The woman barely paused before
she said. "Now you know I would never interfere in your life, but
you don't need Raul and me with our noisy niños here when you have
a chance to watch the sunset over a romantic dinner with a
beautiful woman."
    Will shrugged. "Okay. It was just a
thought.”
    Aurora smiled at his discomfort. Certain she
liked the tiny dynamo housekeeper who took charge and ordered Will
about as if he were a junior member of her family, Aurora savored
the fact she and Will would be alone for their dinner tonight.
    Wonderful softness enveloped Aurora as she
lay on the large bed. Nick's prescription proved true--she needed
rest.
    Lily peeped around the corner of the door.
"I'll check back soon, but right now I'll take care of the clothes
from the suitcase." She paused and stepped into the room. "You
know, Aurora, flood water is muy malo. Have you put medicine on
those cuts and scratches?"
    The heat of a flush spread across Aurora’s
face. "Yes, thank you. Will helped me earlier."
    Lily tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.
"Really? Well, then I will see to the clothes and check on you
later."
    Lily grilled Will about Aurora. “I checked
on your guest, but she sleeps like a baby.” The Spanish
Inquisition, he thought. As he finished an abbreviated explanation
about Aurora's ordeal and his conversation with Nick, Lily noticed
his hand.
    "Ha! Will Harrison, you finally took off
your wedding ring." Lily raised her eyes and clasped hands
heavenward. "Madre de Dios and the good saints be praised!" She
stepped closer to Will, nodded in the direction of the bedroom with
speculation in her eyes. "This is a beautiful woman, this Aurora,
verdad?"
    Embarrassed again, he held his hand palm
outward in a stopping motion. "Now, Lily, don't go jumping to
conclusions. I took the ring off yesterday afternoon. Maybe you and
Kelly and Lori Beth are right. I don't know, but I'll try your way
for a while and see what happens."
    Lily launched in with her customary phrase,
"Now you know I would never interfere in your personal life, Will,
but this woman is just what you need. I saw the way you looked at
her, ah, and also the way she looked back at you. This is muy
bueno, mi amigo.