I parked down the street and walked into my backyard through an unlocked gate. I stealthily slid open the sliding glass door to the living room and st...pped inside.“Anyone here?” I asked. My question was met with silence.I headed down the hallway, peering into the guest room and guest bathrooms. Nothing. I checked the kitchen, the laundry room and, finally, the garage. Nothing. I went upstairs and checked the master bedroom, the master bath and the two adjoining bedrooms. Nothing. I was home. I was feeling miserable and could tell Eva felt the same. Putting an arm around her shoulder I drew her closer to me. She slipped an arm around me and placed her head on my shoulder. When we reached the doorstep of her apartment she slipped her hands around my waist and drew herself in closer to my body, her head resting on my shoulder. The feeling of her warmth so close to me was enough to coax my penis out of its flaccid state, much to my embarrassment. It didn't seem to bother Eva though and. “What am I going to do?” she whispered. She turned out her lamp and crawled into her bed knowing she was facing another sleepless night.“I have to go to Taylor to pick up some supplies and settle some accounts. Would you like to go? We could have lunch at that kitchen you like.”“Mattie’s? That sounds good. Let me get ready.”“OK, I’ll get the wagon ready.”They had just finished eating when Matthew said, “I’ve got a surprise for you.” He slid a twenty dollar gold piece across the table. “We did. .. have a proposal for you," he began."I..."He held up a hand. "Cherry is quite capable of looking after herself, but she's going to be alone rather a lot. I was wondering ... whether you'd consider ... when the sailing season has wound down ... keeping house for us through the winter. Company for Cherry, some cooking and cleaning, in return for bed, board, some pocket money and the shore-based yachtmaster courses..." Oh..." You know about Cherry ... and me. I couldn't introduce just anyone.