by Cindy Kirk
Before she knew what was happening she was in his arms. He strode to the bench, depositing her on the wooden slats as if she was the most precious of cargo, setting the picnic basket beside her.
He stood beside the bench for a long moment. “I don’t like leaving you.”
“I’ll be fine.” She rattled off the items she wanted him to pick up for her, wishing the throbbing in her toes would ease.
“I’ll be right back.” He gently brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “Stay here.”
“Don’t worry.” Kate chuckled, then winced. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He said something when he left. It sounded like “good sport” but she couldn’t be sure.
Slipping her sandal off her foot, Kate leaned over and carefully inspected the rapidly swelling toes. It appeared to be the fourth and fifth distal phalanges that had taken the brunt of the man’s weight. The sooner she got the foot elevated and ice on it, the better.
Kate swiveled her body and lifted her right foot onto the armrest at the far end of the dusty bench. All she could hope for now was that
1. No one she knew would stop by;
2. Joel would hurry and bring everything she’d requested and
3. the dirt would come out of her new white shorts.
“Dr. Kate.”
She heaved a resigned sigh. Of course she should have known that in this sea of people someone would recognize her. She lifted herself up to her elbows and turned in the direction of the voice.
Holding the leash of a golden retriever, with her brow furrowed in concern, stood Emilie Hyland. “Are you okay?”
“Doing great,” Kate quipped. “And you?”
The second the words left her mouth, Kate wished she could pull them back. The girl had really “blossomed” since Kate had seen her in the office several weeks ago. There was no hiding her pregnancy now.
Emilie ignored the question, focusing her bright blue eyes on Kate’s foot. “What happened?”
“A drunk stepped on me. Big guy. Cowboy boots.”
The teen’s eyes widened. She glanced around as if ready to sound an alarm. “Can I get you something? Call someone?”
“Thank you, Emilie, but a friend is off getting me some items from the first-aid tent,” Kate said quickly, offering a reassuring smile. “Give me a little tape and ice and I’ll be good as new.”
Relief skittered across Emilie’s pretty face. “Cool.”
Since Kate had last seen the teenager, Emilie had cut her blond hair to a sleek bob. She was as attractive as ever, but the sparkle that normally danced in her blue eyes was noticeably absent. With her pregnancy now apparent, Kate knew the past couple weeks couldn’t have been easy. Unfortunately it would only get more stressful.
“How do you like Dr. Fisher?” Kate had referred the girl to Travis. Not only was he the best ob-gyn in Jackson, but he also had a warm and caring personality. She’d thought he and Emilie would be a good fit.
“He’s nice.” Emilie shifted from one foot to the other. “Last week we talked about my…options.”
Because her pregnancy was so advanced, Kate knew that at this point, the girl had only two: keep the baby or give it up for adoption.
“My mom wants me to keep him.” The words spilled from Emilie’s mouth. “But I’m sixteen, Dr. Kate. What kind of mother would I be? I want to go to college. If I keep him, I’ll be lucky to finish high school. My parents don’t make enough money to support us all.”
“You have some difficult choices to make in the next couple months.” Kate gentled her tone. “It might be helpful if you talked to someone about your feelings. Dr. Peter Allman is someone I trust. He’s very easy to talk with and I think he could help you to consider the pros and cons of your options.”
Emilie’s eyes searched Kate’s face. “What do you think I should do?”
“What I think doesn’t matter,” Kate said softly. “It’s a difficult decision and a very personal one. It’s one you—and the baby’s father—have to make.”
“Dylan doesn’t want anything to do with me or the baby.” Bitterness colored Emilie’s words.
“You’ll make the right deci—”
Kate’s words were drowned out by the retriever’s staccato barks.
“I’d better go.” Emilie jerked on the leash. “I hope you feel better.”
Joel walked up just as Emilie turned to leave. He smiled, but the girl brushed past him.
“Isn’t that Emilie Hyland?”
“You know her?”
“I know her dad, Dave. He’s a bricklayer who does a lot of work for me.” Joel frowned. “Is she pregnant?”
“Did they by any chance give you ibuprofen?” Kate sidestepped the question.
He jerked his gaze back to her. “They did. I picked up a bottle of water, too.”
Joel squatted down beside her, Emilie and her bulging belly thankfully forgotten. He opened the small packet and pressed the pills in her hand. Once she’d popped them into her mouth he handed her the water. “How are you feeling?”
Kate took a big drink, touched by his caring. “My foot throbs like someone took a sledgehammer to it. Other than that, I feel wonderful.”
His hazel eyes flashed. “I could punch the guy.”
Kate lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “He was drunk. He didn’t know what he was doing.”
“No excuse.” Joel pressed his lips together. “I’m not putting all the blame on him. I should have been watching out for you. I should have protected you.”
Kate thought about pointing out that she’d managed to take pretty good care of herself for thirty-one years. But she kept her mouth shut. The thought of his watching out for her was…nice.
“What are you going to do with these?” In his outstretched hand the cotton balls looked amazingly small and fluffy.
“I’ll show you.” Kate clenched her teeth together and gently moved her smallest toe and the one next to it apart, then carefully placed the white fluff between the two toes. She repeated the procedure with the next two toes.
“What’s the purpose?” Joel leaned close, his clean-shaven face right next to hers.
Her heart skipped a beat. Despite their “no PDA” vow—and her pain—she was tempted to kiss his cheek and tell him how much his concern meant. Instead, she forced a smile, then returned her attention to her foot, wrapping her toes together with the tape.
“The cotton keeps the toes from rubbing together.” Kate held out her hand and he handed her the ice pack. She draped the red-and-white-checkered napkin she’d snagged from the picnic basket over her toes. “Now I’ll put the ice bag in place and…it’s all good.”
A muscle in his jaw jumped. “All good except you have three broken toes.”
“Two.” She closed her eyes briefly against the pain. “And they’re bruised, not broken.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I broke a toe once,” she said. “Trust me, I know the difference.”
“Are you ready to head home?”
“Is that what you want?”
“I’m not the one in pain,” he pointed out.
“I don’t want to go home.” Despite her aching foot, Kate wasn’t ready for the day to end. “Let’s go to Lexi’s house. We promised her and Nick we’d stop by. If I need more ibuprofen or ice, they’ll have it.”
“Okay,” he said. “But just so we’re clear about later, you’re staying at my house tonight.”
“Overnight?”
“I want to take care of you. Make sure you don’t overdo it.”
“I don’t have any pajamas with me,” she sputtered.
A slow smile spread across his face. “Is that a problem?”
Kate wasn’t convinced spending the night with Joel was a wise thing to do. Yet the excitement coursing through her veins told her she’d already made her decision.
“You’re right. It’s not.” Her heart beat a sultry rhythm against her chest wall. “But I need my makeup and curlin
g iron.”
“No worries. We’ll stop by your place and grab whatever you need.”
“Anyone ever told you that you can be a bit bossy?”
“I’m taking care of you, Kate.” He tipped her chin up with his finger and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Whether you want me to or not.”
Chapter Thirteen
By the time she and Joel reached the mountains surrounding Jackson, the throb in Kate’s foot had morphed into a dull ache. He pulled the truck into the circular driveway in front of the large stone-and-log home, stopping right in front. He wanted to carry her into the house but Kate refused. Still, she did lean on his arm as she hobbled from the truck to the front porch.
Joel rang the bell, his worried glance shifting between her and the closed door. Clearly unhappy about having her stand for so long, Kate swore if the door hadn’t opened when it did, he’d have scooped her up into his arms and walked in unannounced.
“Happy Independence Day,” Lexi greeted them as the door swung open. Her welcoming smile faded as she caught sight of Kate’s one-legged stance. “Oh, my goodness, what happened to you?”
With the area around the toes turning black-and-blue, Kate knew her foot wasn’t a pretty sight. Still, she managed a smile as she shuffled onto the marble flooring in the foyer. “A drunken cowboy stepped on my foot when Joel and I were walking to Alpine Field.”
Joel muttered something uncomplimentary about the man. Even though Kate didn’t catch it all, she got the gist. Bottom line, the guy was lucky he’d gone on his drunken merry way by the time Joel realized what had happened.
“So you two—” Lexi paused and brought a finger to her lips “—were at Music in the Hole together?”
Joel looked at Lexi as if she’d spoken gibberish. “Of course we were together.”
“Of course you were together.” That familiar matchmaking spark flickered in Lexi’s eyes. A spark that Kate knew must immediately be extinguished.
“Didn’t you hear, Lexi? Chloe asked me to keep her dad company while she’s out of town.” Kate forced a laugh. “Whether he wants me around or not.”
Joel opened his mouth to protest but Kate shot him a warning glance. This was the agreement. For both of their sakes it was important to stick to the plan.
“Nick, David and Travis are trying to get a baseball game going,” Lexi said to Joel. “They told me to send you back when you arrived.”
He began shaking his head. “Kate needs—”
“She’ll be fine.” Lexi put her hand on Joel’s shoulder and gave him a little shove. “I’ll take care of her.”
To Kate’s surprise, Joel planted his feet and fixed his gaze on her. “Will you be okay?”
A lump formed in Kate’s throat. She blinked rapidly, keeping the tears at bay. How long had it been since someone wanted to care for her? Still, this was a game and she had a part to play.
“I’ll be fine.” She gave a dismissive wave, her voice casual and offhand, just as she’d intended.
“If you do need anything—”
“If I do—” Kate slanted a pointed glance to the brunette who’d been silently taking in every nuance “—I have Lexi.”
“Absolutely,” the social worker said. “I’m extremely dependable.”
“Thank you,” he said, finally satisfied.
As Kate watched him stride off, the ache in her heart became stronger than the ache in her foot. It was crazy. She’d slept with the guy once—okay maybe more than once—and spent a few hours with him. It didn’t make sense that she felt so alone without him by her side now.
“Joel seems to be taking a personal interest in your welfare.” Lexi’s voice broke through Kate’s thoughts. “What’s that about?”
“I don’t know.” Kate shrugged. “It must be because I was injured while we were together. You know how men are… .”
To her relief, Lexi laughed. Yet, Kate noticed a hint of suspicion remained in her amber eyes.
Lexi held out her arm for Kate to grasp. “There’s a chair with an ottoman on the back deck. You’ll be able to put up your foot and watch the ball game in comfort.”
Kate leaned on Lexi, but it wasn’t the same as having Joel beside her. He was like a rock. Strong and solid, a man a woman could depend on… .
Lost in her thoughts, Kate didn’t say much until they reached the porch. “I’m sorry, Lex. I really hate being a bother.”
“Stop that talk.” Lexi helped Kate ease into the chair. “That’s what friends are for. You’d do the same for me.”
“Yes.” Kate choked out the word. “In a heartbeat.”
Friends. Why had she fought so hard against accepting the fact that this woman—and the others in their group—were her friends? Was it because she feared having to confide in them? Of seeing the disappointment in their eyes when they learned she’d chosen her career over her daughter?
Yet, everyone had secrets, private regrets. Friends didn’t need to be privy to everything that had ever gone on in one’s life.
Lexi slipped a throw pillow under Kate’s foot, then straightened. “What can I get you to drink?”
Before Kate had a chance to answer, footsteps sounded on the steps. Mary Karen rushed to Kate’s side, looking like a college student in her peasant top and jean skirt, her blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. “Are you okay? I saw Joel out on the ball field. He told me you got into a fight with a drunk.”
Something told Kate it was Mary Karen—not Joel—who’d embellished the story. Still, she had to admit, Mary Karen’s account made it more interesting. “I’m afraid it was nothing that exciting. Some guy—who, yes, appeared to be intoxicated—stumbled. The heel of his cowboy boot came down on my toes.”
“That’s horrible.” Mary Karen plopped down in the chair beside her, her blue eyes filled with sympathy. “I bet it hurts like the blazes.”
“It does.” Kate shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable. “I took ibuprofen right away—”
“You should have ice on it by now,” a deep masculine growl came from the steps.
Kate’s heart flip-flopped.
Joel crossed the deck in long, purposeful strides.
“I thought you were up to bat.” Mary Karen’s gaze drifted to the far end of the lush lawn where the men were gathered.
“I hit a home run.” The hard lines on Joel’s face eased. He grinned. “Now Travis and David are arguing about changing the field boundaries. While they’re occupied, I thought I’d check on Kate.”
“My friends—” Kate’s mouth lingered on the word “—have been taking excellent care of me.”
Lexi rose to her feet with an ease Kate had always envied. What was even more unfair than her natural elegance was the fact that her wicker-colored linen shorts showed no trace of wrinkles.
“I was just headed inside to refill her ice pack.” The social worker tossed the words over her shoulder as she headed inside.
“Sounds like everything is under control.” Joel gave a satisfied nod, then turned to Kate. “Remember I have my cell on, so if you need anything…”
“She won’t,” Mary Karen asserted with a teasing smile. “We’re going to ply her with chocolates, conversation and a whole lot of wine.”
“Chocolate and wine.” Kate laughed. “What more does a woman need?”
Joel’s gaze met hers and held. Her mouth went dry. Ah, yes, there was something more a woman needed. At least she did. Forget the injured foot. Soon, Kate told him with her eyes, soon.
“Dennes, get down here,” Travis bellowed from the makeshift field.
“Sounds like they’ve got the boundaries figured out.” Joel’s lips lifted in a slight smile. “Later.”
To Kate’s ears the word sounded more like a promise than a goodbye. She followed him with her eyes until he was on the lawn and headed toward his friends.
“What’s up with you two?” Mary Karen leaned forward in her chair.
Kate played dumb. “What do you mean?”
“Th
e way he looks at you.” Mary Karen pretended to shiver. “Gives me goose bumps.”
“Yeah, right.” Kate laughed, but the intense possessive look in his eyes had given her goose bumps, too.
Lexi returned with a tray containing an ice bag, a bottle of merlot, wineglasses and a bowl filled with chocolates. A dish towel lay over one arm. After placing the tray on a nearby table, Lexi draped the checkered cloth over Kate’s foot, then carefully positioned the ice bag on her injured toes.
“Mary Karen, you pour the wine and chat with Kate for a few minutes.” Lexi turned back toward the house. “I need to check on how the babysitter is doing with the little ones.”
Kate assumed the little ones referred to Lexi’s youngest daughter, Grace, and Mary Karen’s youngest set of twins, Ben and Sophie.
“Don’t take too long. The wine might be gone by the time you get back,” Mary Karen called after her.
In less than a minute, both Mary Karen and Kate had a glass of the burgundy liquid in one hand and a piece of chocolate in the other.
Kate took a small sip of wine, racking her brain for how she would change the subject if Mary Karen chose to take up the conversation where they’d left off. She liked Mary Karen but wasn’t interested in playing twenty questions with her.
When the pretty nurse began talking about her older boys’ latest escapades, Kate let out the breath she’d been holding and took another sip of merlot.
Mary Karen had just finished recounting an amusing story involving her oldest set of twins—two very rambunctious boys—and a rope and bucket of water, when her gaze narrowed on Kate.
Oh, no, Kate thought, here it comes.
“Did you know Travis and I were friends with benefits for almost three years before we married?” Mary Karen spoke in the same tone she might use to announce what she was serving for dinner.
Kate choked on the peanut cluster. When she’d first moved to Jackson Hole, she and Travis had met at Wally’s Place several times for drinks. That was before his marriage. She had no idea he and Mary Karen had an arrangement.
“I’m sorry.” Kate took a fortifying gulp of wine. “When Travis and I were hanging out, I thought he was unattached.”
