by Jeannie Moon
He liked that about her.
Well, that and her legs. Her legs went on for miles.
Cleanup was quick, and he wasn’t surprised that she was a little out of it. Doped up on decongestants and cough syrup, and not sleeping well, Nick wasn’t sure if her fever was making Jordan’s brain cloudy, fatigue had exhausted her, or if she was in a little bit of shock from the tree falling so close to her house.
Whatever it was, this day had been shit for her from start to finish, and Nick had put himself smack in the middle of it. When he went back into the living room, Jordan was sitting with a box of tissues in her lap, petting her dog. Gertie barked as soon as he came into view. “Gertie, shh. Nick’s trying to help.” She looked up at him and shrugged. “She gets protective sometimes. I’m sorry she’s being so fresh.”
“She’s just watching out for you.” Parking himself in the armchair adjacent to the couch, Nick took her in. Even sick, she was probably the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life. And he’d seen plenty. It wasn’t just the long legs, the blond hair, or the electric-blue eyes, there was something in the way she carried herself. Even on her worst day, when Nick could see she’d taken a bit of a beating, there was the dignity that came shining through. For people who lived barely a hundred and fifty feet apart, he and Jordan were in oddly unfamiliar territory. They both knew things about each other because they traveled in the same circles, even though they didn’t interact. A nod, a wave, a quick hello was all they’d exchanged when he’d been around the previous summer. She was still licking her wounds from her broken engagement, so he kept his distance.
Then, in September, he had his final surgery.
Recovery was a bitch and a half, but he’d still managed to make a few trips east for a change of scenery. His surgeon was based in San Diego, and rehab took months. But for the first time in over a year, Nick felt like he might be getting his life back.
The next step was to be cleared to work.
His hip was much better. The torn muscle was taking a little longer to heal, which annoyed the crap out of him, but he wasn’t in bad shape. It was the mental toll of the injury that brought him to a personal reckoning. Hard as it was to admit it, Nick wasn’t ready to go back into a trauma center. It ate at him, but he wasn’t going to put a patient at risk while he was still wrestling with his demons.
He could still work with kids, though. It wasn’t the pace he was used to, but it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. Maybe some regular hours with patients who weren’t going to die on him was just what he needed.
For now, he was going to focus on his one patient, who had finally calmed down.
“Do you need anything? Some tea?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ve been drinking water, like you said. I think I could float away.”
“The fluids are good for you.”
“Right.” She nodded. “You said that.”
“Right.”
Silence dropped between them, awkward and thick. There was only so much small talk he could handle.
Nick wondered when he lost his game. Usually, he could talk to a woman about anything. With Jordan, he was tongue-tied. That was another good reason to move to the big house. With Nona around, neither one of them would need to utter a word. She’d talk enough for both of them.
Keeping his ear out for any changes in her breathing, they sat together quietly. Nick hated the way the weather messed with his muscles and joints. Reaching down, he grabbed the heating pad he’d brought with him, and put it between the arm of the chair and his thigh.
“How is your hip?”
She spoke so quietly, he could barely hear her. Normally, he didn’t talk about his injury. But the concern in her eyes compelled him to answer. “It’s been a long recovery. Hard. My hip joint is in good shape, though. I worried about having a full replacement, but it was the right thing to do. Now it’s just the connective tissue that has to heal. That’s going to take time.”
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“Not as much as some, more than others. I’m not used to depending on people.”
“I get that,” Jordan replied. “I don’t want to need anybody. Needing someone nearly destroyed my life.”
There was something so sad about her declaration; about the way she’d thrown down a gauntlet against her own life.
“I was wondering,” he began. “What would you think about moving to Nona’s house? I know we said we’d only go if the power went out, but there’s plenty of room, plenty of food, and less likelihood we would be whacked in the head by a tree.”
“Always a positive, but I really think I’d like to stay here.”
“My grandparents wouldn’t mind,” he reassured her.
“Of course they wouldn’t. They live to take care of people. But I’m not going to take advantage of that.”
“It’s not taking advantage…”
Jordan shot him a firm look that sent a clear message she wasn’t going to bend on this point. He let the suggestion drop, but had to admit he liked the fact that she was coherent, and able to have a short conversation. Nick would call that an improvement, but expending that little bit of energy had exhausted her. It took only seconds, but the next time he looked over, it appeared Jordan had dozed off. Nick could hear her breath coming out in little puffs. She was on her side, curled around a pillow and blanket, looking very comfortable right where she was.
The storm had picked up since he first arrived at the house. The old cottage had more than its share of creaks and rattles, but hearing the way the winds were buffeting the structure, Nick was thinking it could use a little reinforcement.
His own eyes were heavy, and he figured with her just falling asleep, he had a little bit of time to catch a nap of his own.
Resting his head on the back of the chair, Nick focused on the noise in his head, rather than the woman who was filling his brain with many, many inappropriate thoughts.
“Well? Are we staying or am I overruled, Doc?” she said, groggily.
Okay, so she wasn’t asleep.
He chuckled and turned his eyes toward hers. “We’ll stay here until we lose power. If the lights go out, we head over to the other house.”
Reluctantly, she nodded. More progress. He’d take it.
“That sounds fair.”
With the roar of the wind providing the background, he and Jordan settled into their respective spots. Initially, he wasn’t sure if it was him she didn’t trust, or men in general. What he was starting to see was that Jordan was very trusting, and that made him angry on her behalf.
“Nick?” she whispered.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
Chapter Two
Staying put was starting to look like a bad idea. The windows were shaking as the wind gusted at almost hurricane force. The best he could hope for was that no more trees came down and took out any buildings on the property.
There was still power, and he had a cell signal, so that was good. His weather app was showing they were in the thick of the storm. They were also at high tide, which meant there could be flooding.
He couldn’t see the bay from the front windows, and he really wanted to get a look at the surf.
Glancing at the clock he rubbed his eyes. Three a.m.
Rising from his spot on the sofa, he made his way to Jordan’s bedroom; aside from wanting to check on her, she had the best view of the water.
Slipping in quietly so he wouldn’t wake her, Gertie’s head popped up from the mess of covers on the bed. Jordan was out cold. On her stomach, head turned to the side, one leg was hooked over the edge of the comforter and she was purring like a mountain lion.
He felt himself smile. If they knew each other better, he’d be tempted to take out his phone and record the noise she was making. But as amusing as it was, he was also glad she’d finally crashed, because it meant she was getting some rest.
That was the thing he liked most about Jordan. She was real. From t
he first time he saw her coming in sweaty from a run, to eating a loaded burger at the café, he realized this woman didn’t have an ounce of pretense, and she didn’t do anything halfway.
She ate, she laughed out loud, she snored, and swore. He found it all majorly attractive.
She’d been shaky after knocking everything off her night table. It wasn’t a big deal, but she wasn’t handling being sick very well. It was obvious Jordan was used to having control, and right now she had very little. But her breathing was steadier, and she’d gone a good stretch without any coughing fits.
Thank God for antibiotics.
From the end of her bed he could see the water on the bay churning, the white caps visible even at a distance. Waves were crashing into the bulkhead, but so far, the water was a safe distance from both houses. This storm was all about the wind. He’d been listening to the sleet and rain, but the wind was where this storm got dangerous.
Without any warning, there was a thunderous crack and roar. Jordan popped up, her eyes wide, and Gertie started barking frantically before diving under the bed. Then it happened again. And again.
Jordan was trembling, probably because she was flashing back to when the tree came down on her car earlier. When Nick’s phone rang, he saw it was his grandmother.
“Nona, are you alright?”
“We’re fine, but you need to take cover. Trees are falling all over the place. Poppy and I are heading into the powder room.”
“You go. I’ve got it here.”
Right. He didn’t know what he was going to do. The cottage bathroom was tiny and facing the area of the property with the most trees. Looking outside, he checked the wind direction, and that got him thinking.
The cottage had a substantial back porch, as well as an attic. Additionally, the back of the building had far fewer trees than the front. With the curtains drawn, it might be best to stay put in the bedroom. Grabbing blankets and pillows from the bed, he threw them in the corner farthest from the windows. She watched him, confused.
“What are you doing?”
Next, he gently pulled Jordan to her feet.
“You’ll see. Go sit on the blankets, I’ll be right there. Can you do that? Or do you need my help?”
She shook her head and did as he asked, while Nick blocked the area with an armchair and her desk. Then, he took the comforter, and the top sheet from the bed. The comforter went on the floor with Jordan, but the top and bottom sheets were attached to a picture hanging on the wall. After that, he draped it over the furniture, creating a makeshift tent.
“Not bad,” he said. Looking in at her, he smiled. “What do you think?”
“A blanket fort?”
“Yep. It will keep glass off of us if the windows break. Hang on. I’ll be right back.”
He gathered his phone, a couple bottles of water, and the emergency lantern from the living room. Then he went into the shelter with her. The space was tight, but he knew, short of a whole tree cutting the house in half, they’d be safe.
“Scoot over toward the wall. Let me take the outside.”
Jordan was too tired to argue, and Nick was actually relieved. He sat next to her, propping a pillow behind her, then covering her with the comforter and tucking it down around her.
“I’m fine. Thanks,” she said.
“How do you feel?”
She took a breath and nodded. “My chest doesn’t hurt as much.”
“Good. That means the antibiotics are getting after the infection. You’ll be amazed how much better you feel forty-eight hours from now.”
“As long as we don’t drown, or get crushed, I’ll look forward to it.”
“We won’t,” he assured her. “But, I can flip your mattress against the outside of the fort if it will make you feel better.”
Nick got a smile out of her. Two points for him.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. We’re pretty safe. The sheets are top quality. I’m sure they’re hurricane rated.”
A laugh broke from his chest. “Good to know. I’ve obviously been skimping on my sheets.”
He watched her eyes travel around the inside of their shelter. “This is actually kind of cool. It makes me think of when I was a kid. My dad used to build blanket forts with me. We’d hide out and read and eat junk food.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun.”
“It was. After my mother died, my dad spent a lot of extra time with me. He’s the best. I talked to him this morning. He has no idea what’s happened.”
“Hopefully you can check in with him tomorrow.”
There was another loud crash, and she flinched. “Jeez. That was close.”
It was. Nick could hear the trees cracking outside the house. It might well have been projection, but Nick was fairly sure when they looked outside tomorrow, there wouldn’t be one tree left.
It was the next clap of thunder that did her in. It was so loud and so close that the whole house shook. Jordan sucked in air and closed her eyes, trying to steady herself.
Nick hesitated for a second, not wanting to cross any lines… but in the end, there wasn’t anything else he could do. Jordan was terrified; she needed comfort and he could provide it. He reached out and pulled her in. There was zero resistance and Jordan curled into him like a lost puppy.
There were worse things. At least she seemed to trust him.
“It’s okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The only response was a simple nod. She coughed twice, and where his hand was settled on her back he could feel the congestion in her lungs, but it wasn’t like it was earlier. That was a relief. Another day or two, and she’d be out of the woods.
“Your cough is improving.” Maybe he could distract her with some good news. God knew the girl needed it. She’d had a shit day.
“I’m not going to die?” she asked, her voice gravelly.
She hadn’t lost her sarcasm. A good sign, to be sure. “Not today.”
Her body had relaxed some, but she was still pressed against his side. Nick wasn’t looking to let go as long as she was happy where she was. He’d always been pretty good at maintaining detachment from his patients, but Jordan wasn’t just a patient, she was more like a neighbor.
The shooting and his injury had messed with his head in a big way. He was done in the Navy. He’d never be able to keep up physically, but taking care of Jordan was the first sign he was mentally ready to get back to medicine, and nothing had ever been a bigger relief.
There was a huge crash that made them both jump, but best Nick could tell, it came from the front yard. If he were a betting man, he’d lay odds that Jordan’s car was now flat as a pancake.
It also brought Gertie out from her hiding spot. It was comical to watch the little dog skid across the wood floor and right into Jordan’s lap. Grateful she had something else to distract her, Nick focused on the mutt.
“She’s so interesting looking.” The dog’s round yes were a little buggy, but very expressive. Her legs were short and stumpy. Gertie was an odd looking little dog. In a cute way, but odd. “Do you know what she is?”
Jordan stroked Gertie’s head. “She’s called a Peagle. Part Pekinese, part beagle. She’s a little chubby, and a bit neurotic, but I love her to pieces.”
“A Peagle? Is she one of those designer dogs?” In Nick’s mind, a mutt was a mutt, but he knew a lot of people would disagree with him. Strongly.
“I guess you could say that. It doesn’t matter to me. She’s goofy and sweet. And she needed a home.”
“How long have you had her?”
Jordan thought. “About six months. Her owner died, and she had no one. We kind of bonded because of that. Two girls on their own.”
Six months would have put the adoption not too long after Jordan broke her engagement. “That was a bit after I came home the first time. I remember Nona bellyaching about the dog, but she never would have told you no.”
Jordan grinned conspiratorially. “I think I knew that.” Ge
rtie was asleep in Jordan’s lap, content and snoring. “We needed each other. People pat me on the back for rescuing her, but honestly, she rescued me.”
“I think they often do. Animals are so intuitive. People could take a few lessons.”
He didn’t mean to do that. His comment was tinged with bitterness, and the expression on Jordan’s face told him she’d picked up on it right away. Reintegrating wasn’t easy. He was foolish to think it would be.
“Something bothering you, Doc?”
“No.” Shifting his body, he pressed her head into his chest. “Go to sleep. You need rest.”
“Uh, huh. Okay.” Jordan was petting the dog in long, slow strokes.
“Really. I’m fine.”
When she looked up, Nick saw the skepticism in her gaze, but she didn’t push any more. Thank God. He didn’t want to talk about his own wounds. He was more comfortable when he could help other people.
Of course, Jordan was a teacher, and the best of them were intuitive—sharp—and he wasn’t going to be able to keep dodging questions if they spent much more time together. Even sick, he could see Jordan’s brain working, always making assessments and decisions. He had to admit, that brain was mighty attractive.
Nick took a breath and did his best to shake off the response he was having to her. Beautiful, smart, and curled against him, Nick hadn’t been this interested in a woman in a very long time. Too long.
Fighting a powerfully physical response, Nick said a silent prayer for the storm to end. The situation they were in was too intense and he wasn’t thinking straight, so the sooner he could extricate himself from Jordan’s orbit, the better.
Then, without any warning, the dog got up and crawled in his lap. She looked up at him with her big round eyes, nudged his hand with her nose and then plopped down. Gertie stretched on her side, letting out a heavy sigh for good measure. The dog was obviously a drama queen.
