[[ wheelsy, south carolina ]]

[justdidntseeit]

[ previously, on three's company: "i brought company." ]

Bill tenses beside her when he shifts on the mattress, and she turns to look at him in the shadows.

"I know you hurt your shoulder."

"What? I didn't."

"You didn't have to throw so hard, sweetheart -- "

"But I didn't -- "

She gives him a look (because they both know he did).

"Kate, m'fine."

"You're such a bad liar," she relents, pressing a kiss to his good shoulder.

"Am not."

"Whatever you say, sheriff."

"Hey, c'mere." He wraps an arm around her and draws her closer; she fits herself along his side, her hand settling flat on his chest. "It ain't nothin' a hot shower an' aspirin won't fix."

"Mmm, well, I still think you should talk to a physical therapist, or maybe start getting massages."

"Then I'll think on that."

"Okay." Her fingers stroke his solar plexus through his T-shirt, and she nuzzles into the warm hollow of his neck. It's quiet in the darkened house; she doesn't hear any movement from the spare bedroom down the hall. "Thanks for letting Doc come visit."

"M'glad he decided to."

"I know." She hooks one leg around his. "But bringing him in today was a surprise, and -- "

"S'all right -- I'm happy he's here." His arm tightens around her in a brief squeeze. "You don't gotta apologize, Kate."

She smiles against the soft cotton of his collar.

"Still -- thank you."

His lips brush her hair.

"Like I said, m'happy he's visitin'. I told you he's welcome here anytime."

"Yeah." Her hand slips to the bottom of his shirt, and she toys with its hem. "He was feeling kind of homesick for New Mexico, and just needed to get out of the bar for a little while."

"We ain't got any desert, but this might do for cabin fever." He chuckles under his breath. "'Less you wanted to take him out west."

Her hand pauses on his shirt.

I could.

She raises her head, and Bill glances at her.

"I could," she says slowly. "If … if he wanted to fly out to New Mexico, I could take him there for a couple of days."

He lifts a hand to tuck a stray lock of blond hair behind her ear.

"Well, yeah, I reckon you could do that."

Her hand slides up his torso until her fingertips reach his collarbone.

"Would that be okay with you? If he wanted to go?"

"'Course it's okay." His hand covers hers on his chest. "You know I'm not gonna keep you from doin' what you want while you're here."

She leans in, her nose brushing his.

"Okay."

She feels his smile against her lips, mirroring her own.

"Okay."

She pulls back, tracing his jaw with one fingertip.

"What about you? You coming?"

"I -- " He hesitates before shaking his head. "Much as I wanna say yes, I got a couple appointments I should probably keep."

"Are you sure?"

He runs a hand up her spine, fingers threading into her hair at her nape.

"I'm sure. Y'all're still gonna have a good trip."

She tilts her head to kiss him again.

"Only if you're sure ... "

He pulls her closer.

"M'sure."

She narrows her eyes, studying him as best she can in the faint light from the crescent moon filtering through the window.

He smiles again and rolls on his side.

"S'just for a couple days, anyhow. I'll try to manage." His lips find her jaw. "Gonna miss this, though."

She breathes out a laugh that hitches when his mouth moves to her throat.

"Me, too."

She feels him smile against her skin, and they're done talking for the night.