Standing in the waiting room of Dr. Hank Gilbert’s office, Beau stared absently out the window. Though the office was in a building that offered a delightful view of the lake across the street, Beau didn’t see the children playing in the park, or the joggers, or the dogs being walked, because he was racked with guilt.
If I hadn’t been so quick to march outta there this wouldn’t have happened. Dammit. I’ve worked with difficult people before. I just needed to take a minute and talk to her. Of course she was frustrated and angry. Some asshole has left her high-and-dry. If I hadn’t had this poundin’ in my temples I would have been-
“Beau?”
He turned around and saw Hank holding open the door that led back to his examining rooms, and a moment later Nicole hobbled out on crutches. Her long brown hair was falling softly around her shoulders, and though her clothes were dirty and her makeup was smudged, just as he had been in the Lexus, he was taken by her beauty.
“Fortunately it wasn’t a two inch nail, she’s a lucky girl,” Hank smiled. “I’ve given her some antibiotics and pain medication, but she needs to lay down and stay off that foot for a couple of days. She’ll be fine but she’s had a nasty shock.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Hank, thank you,” Beau sighed. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t go anywhere. Come on Miss Harris, let’s get you back to your hotel.”
As he walked towards her Nicole looked at him with wary eyes.
Why would you want to help me? Oh, God, why do I even care. I’m too wiped out to think straight.
“I’m staying at the Hillsboro Suites,” she murmured as they moved slowly towards the office door. “I’ll pay for a cab to get you back to your truck.”
Her voice was quiet, and though she seemed to be fine he didn’t like her color; she was still white.
“You mentioned that,” he smiled.
“I did? When?”
“Back at the house.”
“I don’t remember, anyway, I’ll pay for a cab.”
“Don’t worry about that, not for a minute,” he said firmly.
“I insist,” she said weakly as they made their way down the hall.
“That’s not gonna fly, now let’s just get you back to your hotel so you can lay down, and I’ll get you a drink, or something to eat, whatever you need.”
“I don’t need anything, and you don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.”
They’d reached the elevator, and moving inside she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.
“You’re about as fine as a rainy day,” he softly drawled.
She didn’t answer him, and when the doors opened he held his hand against them so they wouldn’t close on her as she made her way out.
“Sit down and wait here in the lobby, I’ll bring the car around.”
“No, it’s okay, I can manage,” she muttered.
“You don’t need to manage anything right now. You just sit yourself down and wait for me. I’ll be right back.”
“But I-”
“But nothin’. You’re as white as a sheet. Now do as you’re told and sit your butt in that chair,” he said firmly.
She stared at him, shocked by his stern tone. No-one ever spoke to her in such a manner, but she knew he was right; she felt lightheaded and weak.
“Okay, thanks,” she muttered.
Carefully lowering herself into one of several chairs the foyer offered, she grimaced as she watched him stride across the parking lot; in spite of the pain medication her foot was throbbing.
Damn I feel crappy, and look at me, what a mess. Filthy dirty, hobbling around. I shouldn’t have been so rude to him when he arrived at the house? Why do I get like that? I’m so neurotic sometimes. He’s being so kind and he sure as hell doesn’t have to be.
Seeing her car near the curb she struggled to get back on her feet, but as soon as she was upright she was hit by a wave of dizziness. She stood for a minute, hoping it would pass, but it didn’t, and she flopped back down.
As he’d pulled up to the entrance Beau had seen her virtually collapse into the chair; she’d either stood up too quickly, or something else was going on, and leaving the passenger door open he hurried into the lobby.
“Hey, are you all right?”
“Yes, I just felt a bit funny for a minute,” she said quietly.
“Did you hit your head when you fell?”
“No.”
“Hmmm, well, regardless you need to lay down,” he remarked, and before she could get herself back on her feet he’d picked her up and was carrying her to the car.
“This isn’t necessary,” she protested, “really. I’m fine.”
“You can say that as many times as you want, but it’s not gonna make it true. You’re not fine. I saw you almost pass out. Nobody faints on my watch,” he declared as he placed her gently in the car. “I’ll be right back with your crutches.”
A few minutes later they were on the road heading to her hotel, and he looked across at her, worried that she was still so pale.
“Miss Harris-”
“Nicole,” she interrupted.
“Nicole, I’m just guessin’ here, but have you eaten today?”
“What?” she asked turning her head to face him.
“It’s almost two-o’clock. Did you have lunch, or even breakfast?”
“I had…uh…some coffee at the hotel, and then stopped for a latte on my way to the house, around noon I guess.”
“No wonder you’re gettin’ dizzy. Probably why you feel sick as well. Two cups of coffee on an empty-”
“Latte is all milk,” she muttered.
“Wow, a cup of hot milk for lunch, that’ll work,” he retorted shooting her a reprimanding look.
“I got here late last night and I guess I was still a bit tired this morning. It was a long drive, four hours. I was too wiped out for anything but coffee.”
“You should have your butt spanked,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Excuse me?”
They’d reached her hotel, and without answering he jumped from the driver’s seat, throwing the keys to the valet.
“Hey, Beau.”
He turned and smiled; it was Amy, an attractive young woman who worked at the hotel. Her smile widened and her eyes sparkled up at him as she hurried forward pushing a wheelchair.
“Hey, Amy, thanks for this.”
“Anything for you,” she twinkled. “Where’s the patient?”
“In the car,” he chuckled. “Where do you think?”
Staring out her window Nicole couldn’t believe her eyes; a wheelchair.
“This is so nice of you, but how did you know?” she asked as she opened her door.
“Beau called us. He’s real good friends with this hotel,” the perky girl replied. “My name’s Amy, and if you need anything at all you just call the front desk and ask for me, or Roger, he’s the manager.”
“You got any of that chicken vegetable soup today?” Beau asked as he helped Nicole into the chair.
“Sure do,” Amy replied.
“Send up some of that, a big bowl, with some bread and tea, honey, some dessert, just put together a full tray. She hasn’t eaten since yesterday,” he finished taking the handles of the chair and rolling it forward.
“Sure thing, Beau,” Amy beamed, “and I’ll grab the crutches from the car.”
“I am here,” Nicole mumbled.
“We know,” Beau said, “but if you’re not gonna take care of yourself someone has to, at least until you’re up and around.”
“What about you? You want something?” Amy asked still batting her eyes at him.
“I had lunch at Nate’s so I’m good, but I’ll take some tea.”
“A cowboy who drinks tea? Now I’ve heard of everything,” Nicole remarked.
“I learned all about tea from a friend who stayed at my ranch for a while. She got me hooked.”
“I’ll just bet she did,” Nicole muttered.
Beau heard the comment but chose to ignore it, and as they made their way into the hotel, she turned around and looked up at him.
“Why are you being so kind? I was…uh…not very nice to you.”
“You’re a damsel in distress,” he replied pushing her into the elevator. “What’s your room number?”
“Three, seven, four.”
It was a short trip to the third floor, and still feeling unwell, and unsure about what else to say, she remained quiet as he rolled her down the hallway.
“Here we are?” he said stopping at her door.
“Shit, my bag’s still in the car. Sorry.”
“Don’t worry, Amy will be right behind us, she can let us in…and there she is already,” he remarked looking down the passage. “That was fast.”
“I took the stairs,” Amy said breathlessly as she reached them. “Here are your crutches, and I saw your bag on the floor of the front seat so I took the liberty.”
“You’re an angel,” Beau said warmly.
Nicole watched the brief exchange and frowned.
I hope someone will say that to me one day. No-one has ever called me an Angel.
“Here you go, Miss Harris,” she smiled, “I’ll just let you in, shall I? Save you having to hunt for your key.”
Moments later they were in the room, and lifting her from the wheelchair, Beau gently lowered her on to the bed.
“That feels so much better,” she sighed laying back.
“I’ll bet,” Beau remarked, and leaning the crutches against the wall near the bed, he walked Amy out with the chair. “Thanks so much, Amy, has the food been ordered?”
“Yes, it won’t be long. Let me know if she needs anything else…or you do…anything at all.”
The intent in her eyes was clear and he smiled down at her.
“Now, Amy, I’ve already told you,” he said softly. “I’m too old for you.”
“You really mean I’m too young,” she pouted.
“Either, it’s the same,” he said gently, “now go back to work before you get fired.”
She lifted herself on to her toes and pecked him on the cheek, and with a deep, dramatic sigh, she turned and hurried down the hallway.
Shaking his head Beau ambled back into the room to make sure Nicole was settled, and was met with a steady gaze.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she began. “Why are you helping me when I was so…?”
“Rude and obnoxious?” he grinned.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“It was partly my fault.”
“How?”
“You were totally stressed and I don’t blame you, I would be too, a contractor leaving you in the lurch like that, and it probably didn’t help that you were strung out on caffeine.”
“Yeah, I was really wired,” she admitted, “totally wired, but you still haven’t explained…”
“Explained why it was partly my fault?” he interrupted, “because I should have just let you talk. Normally I would. Normally I’m a very patient man.”
“Yeah, I kind of get that,” she frowned. “So, why weren’t you?”
“Good question. Last night I was at a bar with some guys celebratin’ and I woke up with a hammer in my head.”
“Oh, I’ve been there,” she nodded grimly. “What were you celebrating?”
“It was for a friend of mine-” but before he could finish a loud knock broke into their conversation.
“That’ll be your early dinner,” he declared standing up to answer the door, “and I’m stayin’ to make sure it’s eaten.”
She watched him walk to the door, and in spite of the pain in her foot and feeling like she’d been hit by a truck, she found herself wondering about him.
You must have a girlfriend. I hate to say it but that take charge thing you do is super sexy. I’ll bet you hold your girls down when you have sex…I’ll bet you’re amazing.
“You ready?” he asked rolling the cart into the room.
“I am so ready,” she sighed. Ready for someone caring and strong like you. My god, Gerald would have dropped me at the doctor’s office and hurried off to play golf somewhere. What was that song? Where have all the cowboy’s gone?
“What?” he grinned as he transferred some of the items from the trolly on to a tray. “Why are you lookin’ at me like that?”
“I was just trying to remember the last time a guy treated me so well,” she lied.
“Maybe you don’t let them treat you well,” he quipped.
“Amy’s a sweet girl,” she said casually, wanting to avoid his comment. “She’s got a mad crush on you.”
“I know. If I was younger…” he lamented. “Anyway, you comfortable? I’m putting this tray on your lap, and like I said, I’m not leavin’ till you’ve eaten.”
“Yes, I’m comfortable,” she replied propping the pillow behind her head. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“The only place I need to be is here, now quit stallin’ and pick up that spoon.”
“It’s a big bowl,” she frowned. “I don’t usually eat in the middle of the afternoon.”
“Am I gonna have to flip you over and spank your butt, ‘cos I will if I have to? Now eat, dammit?”
A peculiar hot flush moved from her belly, into her chest, over her neck and crawled across her face, leaving behind a bevy of butterflies dancing a dance she’d never felt.
“Uh, you, uh, no, you don’t have to do that,” she stammered quickly picking up the spoon.
Shit, what’s wrong with me? Why didn’t I just tell him to take a hike, and why the hell am I so attracted to him? He’s not my type at all. Not at all.
Because he’s taken you on, that’s why. Because he’s not backing down, that’s why. Because he’s standing up to you, and you like it…a lot.
Beau saw it. He saw the telltale flush cross her face, and he heard the thoughts swirling through her head; she’d never met anyone like him.
The least I can do is take another look at her house. She is kinda cute, in a slick, city-polished kinda way.
“When I go back to pick up my truck I’ll go back through your house,” he offered dropping into a nearby chair. “I’ll let you know what you’re lookin’ at for costs and time. At least we’re into spring now, and that will help.”
“Thanks, that would be great,” she smiled. “This soup is amazing. Thank you for arranging for it, and everything else.”
“Hey, all part of the service, ma’am,” he grinned. “We didn’t get off on the right foot-”
“Well, I sure as hell didn’t,” she declared interrupting him.
“No, I guess not, sorry, bad choice of words.”
“It was the perfect choice of words,” she smiled, and I’m glad I stepped on that stupid nail, really glad. “Speaking of feet, would you mind collecting my shoes while you’re there?”
“Be happy to, and the color’s comin’ back to your face.”
“I have to admit this soup is helping. I still feel a bit weird, but you were right. I was starving, I just didn’t realize it.”
“You’re gonna finish it, right?”
“Yep, all of it, I promise,” she smiled, and you just get sexier all the time.