by Marie Force
“Yeah, probably.”
He adjusted the way he held her to make it easier for her to extend her injured foot.
“I’ve got to be too heavy for you, especially with your arms worn out from battling tuna.”
“I already told you you’re not too heavy, and I’m fine. I promise. Try to relax and let me enjoy holding you.”
“You really are shameless, aren’t you?”
“What can I say? I’m a McCarthy. Shamelessness runs through my genes.”
Katie smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder, the sharp pain in her foot the only thing keeping her from being as happy as she could ever recall being.
He got them back to the hotel faster than she would’ve thought possible and headed up the stairs effortlessly, as if carrying her was no big deal. His obvious strength was another thing to like about him.
“I’ve already been carried more by you than by anyone else ever, and I’ve only known you for three days.”
“I like carrying you.”
“I’m not usually such a damsel in distress. I hope you know that.”
“I do know. I bet in your real life as a nurse practitioner, you’re endlessly capable and always solving problems for other people. Am I close?”
“Pretty darned close,” Katie said, astounded by his insight.
“Thought so.”
He deposited her gently in a chair on the hotel’s porch. “I’ll be right back with something to clean that up. After we get a better look, we can decide if we need to call Doctor David.”
Katie hated the idea of calling in the doctor to see to her silly injury. She hoped it was something they could tend to at home.
Shane returned with a first aid kit and turned on the porch light so he could see the sole of her foot. He was gentle as he cleaned the wound and wrapped it in gauze. “It’s pretty deep.”
“I was afraid you were going to say that.”
“I’m going to call David, okay?”
Katie bit her lip and nodded, trying not to cry over something so silly. So she’d cut her foot. Big deal. It was just that the cut foot had ruined her first date, and she’d been having a marvelous time.
Still in a squat before her, he leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “It’s going to be fine, so don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 12
Shane went inside to look up David’s number, leaving Katie to gaze out over the moonbeams on the water and wish she hadn’t managed to find the one piece of broken glass on the beach. Shane was back a minute later. “He’s meeting us at the clinic.”
“How are we getting there?”
“I’ve got the keys to Owen’s van.” Once again, Shane lifted her as if she weighed next to nothing and carried her to the parking lot, where he loaded her into the front seat of Owen’s vintage yellow Volkswagen Vanagon.
“My brother’s pride and joy.”
“I know. He loves it, but I think he’s going to get rid of it when the twins arrive. They’ll need something a little more family friendly.”
“I can’t believe he’s going to have three children before the end of the year.”
“I don’t think he can believe it either.” He glanced over at her. “You okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine and sorry for ruining our evening.”
Shane took hold of her hand. “You didn’t. We’ll get you stitched up, and we’ll pick up where we left off, minus the sharp thing.”
“You’re a good sport. Thank you.”
“Spending time with you has been my pleasure.” He only let go of her hand to shift gears and then took hold of it again.
David was waiting for them when Shane carried her into the clinic. The doctor shook Katie’s hand and re-introduced her to his girlfriend, Daisy. “We were still at the marina when Shane called,” he said, “so it was quicker to come here than to take Daisy home.”
“Sorry to mess up your evening,” Katie said.
“You didn’t,” Daisy said. “Happens all the time. I’m used to it by now.”
David kissed Daisy. “I’ll see you in a few, honey.” To Katie, he said, “She waits for me in my office.”
“I’ve even got my own stash of magazines in there now.”
“I’ll try not to be too injured so he can get out of here.”
Daisy squeezed Katie’s arm before she left them. “Take your time.”
David gestured for Shane to take Katie into a room where he deposited her on the exam table. “Let’s take a look, Katie.” He unwrapped the gauze Shane had applied, which had soaked through during the short ride to the clinic. David examined the wound while Shane kept an arm around her shoulders, holding her tighter when she winced from the pain of David’s exam.
“We’re definitely looking at some stitches here. Do you know what you stepped on?”
“A broken bottle.”
“What’s the status of your tetanus shot?”
“I’m due for one this fall.”
“I’d recommend we do it now.” He moved around the exam room, gathering the items he needed to stitch her foot. “I’m going to have you lie back on the table.” David produced a pillow and helped her to get comfortable. “Shane, here’s a stool for you so you can sit with Katie.”
“Thanks.”
“So, you’re Owen’s sister,” David said.
“Yes, one of his three sisters.”
“The wedding was incredible. They got such a perfect night for it.”
“They really did.”
“Just a couple of pinches while we numb you up,” David said.
She turned her head, looking for reassurance from Shane.
He gripped her hand and held her gaze as the needle burned the sole of her foot, taking her breath away. Damn, that hurt!
“You doing okay?” David asked.
“Uh-huh.”
“Two more and we should be good.”
The second one hurt as much as the first one had, bringing tears to her eyes. By the third one, the first two had begun to take effect and the pain was greatly diminished. She blew out a couple of breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
David moved quickly and efficiently to clean and suture the wound. “So, what do you do back in Texas?”
“I’m a nurse practitioner, although you’d never know it from how much of a baby I’m being right now.”
“Are you kidding?” David said. “I was just thinking you’re a stud. Three shots to the bottom of your foot and not so much as a whimper.”
Shane smiled and made her feel better with the reassuring way he looked at her.
Fifteen minutes later, she’d received ten stitches that were now covered with gauze and tape, as well as a tetanus shot that had stung like hell, a prescription for an antibiotic and a stiff orthopedic shoe.
“You know the drill—keep it dry and clean for the next week and in the morning make an appointment to have the stitches removed.”
“Thank you so much for coming in when you were off duty,” Katie said.
“I’m never off duty,” David said with a laugh. “But I love my job, and I’m happy to do it. Give me one second, and I’ll find a pair of crutches for you.”
When they were alone, Shane put his arm around her. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“Next time we’ll wear shoes on the beach.”
She smiled up at him. “What fun will that be?” Before she had a second to gauge his intentions, he was kissing her—just the soft press of his lips against hers, but a kiss nonetheless. And then he pulled back, seeming stunned by what he’d done.
“I’m sorry to just do that, but you were so adorable and sweet, and I couldn’t resist.”
“I’m glad you didn’t resist.”
He stared at her, but the moment was interrupted when David returned with the crutches.
“Could she deal with them tomorrow?” Shane asked.
“Of course,” David said. “I’ll carry them out for you.
”
“Ready?” Shane asked Katie.
“You’re going to be in here tomorrow with your back thrown out.”
“Nah.”
When he lifted her off the table, she put her arms around his neck. He carried her to the van, where they said good-bye and thank you again to David. Back at the hotel, Shane carried her inside, up to her room on the third floor, and set her on the bed. Then he went back for her crutches and returned with them and some pain pills, too.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?” Shane asked.
“I think I’m good, but…”
He sat on the edge of her bed, propping his arm over her legs. “But what?”
“You said our date wouldn’t be over when we got back. And if you don’t mind staying for a while…”
He smiled. “I don’t mind.”
She patted the other side of the bed, which was the only other place in the small room to sit.
He got up and went around the bed. “I didn’t see our first date ending in bed,” he said with a teasing grin.
“Neither did I.”
“And yet here we are.”
“Here we are.”
A rumble of thunder and a flash of lightning drew a gasp from her. “Now you really can’t leave.”
“I wouldn’t dream of leaving when you’re scared.”
“Other than the needle portion of the program, I had a really fun time tonight.”
“Me too. Best time I’ve had in years, in fact.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Katie looked at him for a long time, trying to find the courage to ask for what she wanted. “What you did before, at the clinic… Would you do it again?”
“Hold your hand?”
She shook her head, amused by his teasing.
“Put my arm around you?”
“Not that either, but I did like when you did that.”
“Oh, wait, I know.” He scooted closer to her, cupped her face in his work-roughened hand and leaned in to brush his lips over hers. “That?”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly. “That.”
“You liked that, huh?”
She nodded as her heart pounded.
“I liked it, too.”
“Did you like it enough to do it again?”
“Let me think about that.”
A gurgle of laughter escaped from her lips, which had been pressed tightly together.
He leaned in so his lips were a heartbeat away from touching hers. “I’m done thinking.” And then he kissed her again, and Katie couldn’t seem to breathe or move or do anything other than wait to see what he would do next.
A slash of lightning followed by a crack of thunder made Katie startle and pull back from him. “Sorry,” she muttered.
He smiled and brushed her hair back from her face. “Don’t be sorry.”
“I feel like such a fool for still being scared of thunder and lightning at my age.”
“Is there an age limit on being afraid of something?”
“No, but… I still feel silly about it.”
“No need to feel silly on my account.”
She turned on her side to face him, wincing when her skin pulled against the cut on her foot. “Are you really this nice, or is this just your first-date-impress-the-girl-with-your-awesomeness act?”
He was even more adorable, she discovered, when he laughed. Falling onto the pillow on his side of the bed, he covered his eyes with his forearm as he continued to laugh. “You’re too much, you know that?”
“I’ve heard that a time or two.”
He lifted his arm off his face and looked at her. “My father always told us to be ourselves because it was too much work to be ourselves and someone else, too. So I hate to tell you that what you see is what you get. I have no reason to be anything other than nice to you, Katie. Do you want to know why?”
She nodded.
“Because I really, really want to go out with you again.” He checked his watch. “Tonight. And maybe tomorrow night, too. And the night after.”
“Do you have to work tomorrow?”
“Today, you mean?” he asked, reminding her it was after midnight already. “Yes, I’m working.”
“You’re going to be tired.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine.”
“You really don’t have to stay. I’ve survived many a thunderstorm on my own. You should see the epic storms we get in Texas.”
“I don’t mind staying awhile. There’s no need for you to survive this one alone.” He somehow managed to arrange them so his arms were around her and her head was resting on his chest.
The subtle scents of soap and sporty deodorant and laundry detergent filled her senses and calmed her racing mind. She was lying in bed with a man for the first time in her life. Shouldn’t she be freaking out or telling him to go or something?
“I can almost hear you thinking,” Shane said as he casually ran his hand up and down her arm, setting off a flood of sensation that seemed to gather between her legs.
“You can’t hear someone think.”
“No, but I can feel your tension and your hesitancy and your internal debate about whether it’s worse to be in a bed with me or to live through the storm on your own.”
Since she couldn’t deny that she’d been having those very thoughts, she didn’t bother to try.
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “It’s okay to relax, Katie. I promise you’re safe with me.”
Little by little, her muscles gave way to the drowsiness that tugged her under. She shifted her legs, trying to find some relief from the dull throb between them. The sensation was new to her and one she looked forward to exploring more in-depth. She choked back a giggle at the direction her thoughts had taken.
“What’re you thinking about now?” he asked.
“I can’t tell you.”
“Oh come on! Now you have to tell me.”
She dissolved into laughter. “I really can’t.”
“Yes, you can! Do I need to tickle it out of you?”
“Don’t you dare.”
He raised his hand in a menacing claw that hung above her, making her forget all about the storm raging outside or all the reasons she’d stayed away from men for so long.
“Shane?”
He dropped his arm and put it around her. “Yeah?”
“I’m really glad I waited to have my first date with you.”
Leaning in, he kept his eyes open when he kissed her. “So am I, honey.”
Chapter 13
The sharp pain in her injured foot woke Katie the next morning. Shane was long gone, but he’d left a note on the pillow next to her.
Morning! Hope your foot doesn’t hurt too much. I have to work until about five today, but I’ll come by after I get home and grab a shower. What do you think of Italian food? I had a great time last night. Shane
Katie sighed with happiness as she reread the note. He was so sweet and had been incredibly kind and accommodating last night—not only when she injured her foot, but after she told him theirs was her first-ever date. He’d made her feel special, and she was eager to see him again later.
She got up, reached for her crutches and hobbled to the bathroom. Figuring out the stairs and getting around the hotel ought to be fun, she thought after she’d brushed her teeth and hair and struggled into a tank top and a pair of shorts, nearly losing her balance several times in the process.
A knock on her door had her hobbling to answer it.
“I was hoping I wasn’t too early,” her grandmother said before stopping to stare at the crutches. “What happened, honey?”
“Stepped on something sharp on the beach last night.”
“Oh my goodness! Are you all right? Did you see the doctor?”
Katie nodded and went to sit on the edge of her bed. Adele came in after her, shutting the door. “I was with Shane, and he took me to the clinic where Doctor David stitched me up.”
“I
’m so sorry you got hurt. You could’ve come to get me. I hope you know that. I almost came up to check on you during the storm.”
Katie swallowed hard and tried not to laugh at the thought of her grandmother finding Shane offering comfort during the storm.
“I remember how much you hate them.”
“I was fine, but thanks for thinking of me.”
“I was hoping I could talk you into some shopping and maybe lunch today, but I can see we’ll need to do something much more relaxing, such as lounge on the deck all day and let people wait on us hand and foot.”
Katie laughed at her grandmother’s irreverence. The time she and her siblings had spent here with Adele and Russ had saved their childhood from being utterly miserable, and her grandparents had stayed faithfully devoted to their grandchildren even after they’d become adults. “I’d love to do that.”
“Let’s figure out how to get you downstairs.”
Adele carried one of the crutches while Katie went down a stair at a time, using the rail and the other crutch as she made her way. Shane’s method the night before had been far more efficient—and enjoyable. Thinking about him made her feel giddy and excited as she anticipated spending more time with him.
Her grandmother helped her get settled at a table on the deck and asked that coffee be delivered to Katie.
“I do love how you get stuff done, Gram.”
Adele took the seat across from Katie. “I may be retired, but I still know how to make things happen.”
Katie gazed out at the sparkling blue water. “This is still the best view in the whole world.”
“Even after what happened the other day?”
“I’m trying not to let that ruin one of my favorite places.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You’ve always loved the beach and swimming.”
“I’ll get back to it. As soon as I’m allowed to get my foot wet.”
“So you were walking along on the beach and sliced it open?”
As their coffee was delivered, Katie nodded. “We’d come back from the dinner at Shane’s uncle’s marina where they cooked the huge tuna Shane caught yesterday. He suggested a walk on the beach, and we were having a really nice time when I cut my foot. He was great about it. He even carried me back to the hotel and took me to the clinic after he called Dr. David.”
