On the Mend (Carolina Waves Series Book 1)

by Tina Gallagher

  A large bay window offered a marvelous view of the front yard and myriad of trees surrounding the property. I imagine the view would be spectacular in the fall after the leaves have turned. Or even in spring, as the trees wake up after a long winter’s nap. Thoughts of winter make me wonder how they’d look bare-branched against a grey, cloudy sky.

  Not that the view right now isn’t spectacular. The trees are full and lush, just waiting for someone to curl underneath with a picnic lunch or a good book and laze the day away.

  I was so lost in my musings I forgot Jeff was in the room. I jumped when he spoke.

  “The bathroom is through here, and this is the closet.” He opened each door in turn. “The drawers and closet are empty, so feel free to make yourself at home.” I nodded my response. Jeff led me back into the hallway and pointed at the door across the hall and down a few feet. “That’s Lexi’s room. She insisted you stay in here.” He smiled. “If she gets in your way, just let me know.”

  “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

  Jeff pointed out the linen closet, instructing me to help myself to anything I might need. There was a small office next to that, which I was again told to make use of if necessary.

  “And that’s Dan’s room.” He gestured toward the door at the end of the hallway.

  While Jeff was the picture of innocence, I could tell he expected a reaction. Apparently, he’s aware that Dan and I have a history. I have to admit I’m surprised. In fact, I’m surprised that the Dan McMullen would take the time to mention my name.

  Yes, we dated for two years in college and were nearly engaged, but I can’t begin to imagine how many women there were before and after that. Hell, even during. Which had been the root of our problems.

  Jeff resumed his tour when I neglected to react to the fact that Dan’s room is practically next to mine.

  While the house is large, it’s also comfortable and has a homey feel. In fact, if Dan didn’t live here, I might even relax and pretend I’m on vacation, like Jodi suggested. But he is, so I definitely won’t.

  “The gym is in the basement, which is where I’m assuming Dan and Lexi are. Any questions before we head down there?”

  How did I get myself into this?

  “Um, no. I don’t think so.” I smiled, attempting to hide the tension pulsing through my body. “But if you find me wandering around looking confused, please offer a helping hand. This place is huge.”

  “You’ll have it down in no time. It’s not that big.”

  My silly thoughts must have shown on my face, because Jeff asked, “What’s so funny?”

  I shook my head and chuckled. “The last time I saw Dan, he was living in an attic apartment with three other guys.” I smiled at the memory. “They didn’t even have beds. They slept on mattresses on the floor.”

  “Dan’s come a long way since then,” he said. “Remember that.”

  I chose to ignore the message I assume he was trying to send me.

  “How about showing me that gym?”

  Dan

  I eased my braced leg onto the couch, leaned back, and closed my eyes. This throbbing ache in my leg is starting to piss me off. I know my injury could have been a lot worse, but I’m just not used to sitting around. Not to mention having to rely on other people to do things for me.

  Besides getting Sabrina back into my life, the only other bright side to this whole shit show is that I get to spend time with Lexi. I’m normally coming and going from February to September—October if the team is lucky—and I feel like I’m missing a good chunk of her childhood. I spend as much time as possible with her when I’m home, but I still feel guilty. I guess that’s the way all working parents feel, but that fact doesn’t make it any less upsetting. I can’t really complain though because I hit the jackpot with my career. I make a good living for playing a game I love.

  Before I could delve deeper into my sorrows, I heard Lexi yell, “Daddy! Sabrina’s here!”

  I opened my eyes and watched my daughter run through the door and to my side. Pain radiated down my leg as I struggled to sit.

  “Do you need help?”

  “No baby, I’m good. Thanks though.” I rubbed my thigh above the brace and tried to breathe normally.

  “She’s going to make your leg better, right?” Her nose scrunched in that adorable way, making me smile.

  “She sure is.”

  “Good, because you seem sad since you got hurt.”

  “How can I be sad when I get to spend time with my favorite girl?”

  She shrugged. “You just do.”

  I grabbed the crutches I’d placed on the floor and shifted my butt to the edge of the couch, mentally bracing for the pain that will envelop my left leg once I stand.

  “I’m not sad. Just a little sore.” Talk about an understatement. I stood with a grunt and tucked the crutches into my armpits. “Come on, let’s go find Jeff and Sabrina.”

  “Can I stay here and play Xbox?”

  “Are you sure?”

  Lexi loves playing Xbox, but she’s been semi-obnoxious with her enthusiasm about Sabrina coming to stay so I’m surprised.

  “I’m sure.”

  “Ok, I’ll come back when I’m done with Sabrina.”

  She jumped onto the couch I just vacated, grabbed the remote, and switched on the TV. I crutched my way out of the room as she grabbed the game controller and brought the console to life.

  3

  Sabrina

  What a complete letdown. My heart had pounded triple time all the way from the kitchen, through the family room, across the hallway, down the stairs, and finally into the gym.

  I’d expected Dan to be there, but he was nowhere to be found, and neither was Lexi. Aside from the tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment, the large room was empty. Jodi hadn’t been misinformed. To say Dan’s gym is well stocked is a gross understatement. He possesses everything I’d want, plus a few things I’d love to have.

  “I talked to Jodi, and I think everything you’ll need is here. But if there’s something missing, just let me know,” Jeff said.

  “No, it looks great. This place is a physical therapist’s dream.”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  The voice came from behind me. Slightly deeper than I remembered, it was unmistakable just the same. My traitorous body broke out in goosebumps at the mere sound of his husky timbre. I slowly turned to face him, hoping my erect nipples weren’t obvious through my T-shirt.

  “Hello Bri.” His warm smile exposed twin dimples on either side of his face.

  My heart beat so loudly, I was sure he could hear it all the way across the room. Between that and my unruly nipples, I’m giving the wrong impression here. To look at my flustered appearance, you’d think I’m still attracted to this man, which of course is ridiculous. Not that he isn’t attractive, because he is. No one could deny that. Dan is blessed with the kind of All-American good looks that make women fall for him left and right.

  Except for me, of course. All my feelings for him died when I found out exactly the kind of man he is, which is definitely not the kind for me.

  My thoughts finally slowed, making me aware of the fact that both Dan and Jeff were staring at me.

  Jeff turned on his heel and headed for the door. He slapped Dan’s shoulder as he passed. “You have your work cut out for you, buddy.”

  His deep chuckle echoed behind him as he left the room.

  Dan turned to face me once again with faint amusement lurking in his remarkable eyes. A deep sea green fringed with lashes so long they could get tangled, his eyes had haunted my dreams for years. And here they are now watching me, reading my every expression. For some reason, my poker face has never worked around Dan. Unfortunately, he can read my every thought and feeling just by looking at me.

  Needing to take control of the situation, I mustered up all the hostility I could. “What did he mean by that?”

  His amusement was replaced by a look I could only desc
ribe as earnest. He glanced down at his leg, which is encased in a brace from just above the ankle to mid-thigh, then met my eyes again.

  “Are you saying this is going to be easy?”

  I thought I detected a double entendre, but let it slide. “From what I read in your file, you’re in for the ordeal of your life if you want to be one hundred percent for spring training next year.”

  “But you think it’s doable?”

  I let myself relax and shift into professional mode. “With a lot of time and effort, yes, I think it’s doable. But I’m warning you right now, it isn’t going to be easy. You’re gonna have to work your butt off.”

  “I’m willing to do anything.”

  He looked sincere enough, but his expression hinted that he was speaking about more than therapy. Then again, maybe I’m just being overly sensitive. Dan and I happened a long time ago. He could have any woman he wants, why would he bother with me?

  “Good. Then we shouldn’t have any problems.” I moved to get a chair from the edge of the room. Placing it next to Dan, I gestured for him to sit. Once he was situated, I took his crutches and leaned them against a weight bench, then knelt down beside him. “I want to examine it before we start anything.” I removed the brace and set it on the floor.

  Why the condition of Dan’s leg surprised me is beyond my comprehension. I’ve read his file, so I should have been prepared. Even if I hadn’t been, I shouldn’t feel nauseated just looking at it. After all, I am a professional. I’ve seen worse.

  Even though three weeks have passed since the accident and corresponding surgery, the entire outside of his leg is still tinged a sickly greenish-yellow color. My eyes trailed the kaleidoscope from his anklebone up to his knee, where I studied the fresh pink scar surrounding the kneecap, to his thigh where the color disappeared into gray gym shorts. I quickly averted my gaze, but not before registering the fact that he’s dressing to the left today.

  “The scar looks good,” I said, attempting to distract myself from the impressive package in front of me.

  “I guess.”

  “What didn’t you like about Rawlins?” I asked.

  When he didn’t answer, I looked up then wished I hadn’t. His green gaze was devouring me. It’s the same look that had melted the heart of a too-trusting college sophomore. At the time, it made me feel desirable and special and loved. Now it just annoyed me because I know it’s fake.

  He must have read my every thought, because his gaze turned serious, and a little sad. “Do you still hate me?”

  That wasn’t what I’d been expecting to come out of his mouth. I stood, eager to put some distance between us. “Why would I hate you?” I tried to sound carefree and airy, but even to my own ears, my voice sounded shrill.

  “That’s what I thought,” he said around a sad chuckle.

  Wanting to end this conversation, needing to end it, I repeated my question. “Why didn’t you like Tim Rawlins?”

  “The man is a control freak.”

  “Control freak?”

  “He and I didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things.” My arched brow asked its own question. “Like if I told him I couldn’t do something, he’d insist I could.”

  “It’s a therapist’s job to push his patient.”

  “I realize that, but I know my limits, he doesn’t.” He ran a hand through his thick blond hair, which I couldn’t help but notice had darkened a few shades since college. “Look, I’m not a wimp. I have a relatively high tolerance for pain. Hell, I can’t count the number of times I played with a sprain or strain, or even a break, but some of the things the guy wanted me to do, I just couldn’t.” Gesturing toward his leg, he said, “And my leg hurt worse after each session. I’m not a doctor or a therapist, but that doesn’t seem right.”

  “Did you tell him that?”

  Dan nodded and flashed a crooked grin. “In no uncertain terms.”

  I couldn’t hide my smirk. “I can only imagine.”

  “We also had scheduling problems.”

  “Scheduling problems? Didn’t he stay here?”

  “Yeah, and he wanted to work all throughout the day.”

  “And you had a problem with that?”

  “Not all the time, no. If I didn’t have other commitments, I had no problem working whenever he wanted. But if I had something more important scheduled, I wanted time to do it.”

  I had to bite back my sharp retort. I could just imagine what would be more important. I should’ve known I’d have to work around his sex life. “I thought you wanted to be ready for spring training.”

  “I do.” His gaze was unwavering.

  “Then you’re going to have to decide whether or not you can fit therapy into your social calendar. If you can’t, let me know right now. I’m here to work. If you’re not willing to give me your all, we’ll both be wasting our time.”

  “Why are you getting so pissed?”

  “I’m not pissed. I just want to set some ground rules. I’m willing to do whatever I have to in order to get you back on your feet, but I can’t do the work for you. And, in order to do the work, you have to be here, not running around with your little groupies.” Even as the last sentence was spilling out, I wanted to suck it back in. But I couldn’t, and I imagined it floating over my head like a comic strip balloon.

  The look on his face was a cross between amusement and aggravation. He opened his mouth to speak, but before any words emerged, another voice interrupted.

  “Can I go shopping with Mrs. Evans?” Lexi asked.

  Dan turned to face her. “Did she invite you?”

  Lexi’s head bobbed up and down. “She said we could stop for ice cream on the way home.”

  “Well, don’t let me to stand in the way of ice cream.”

  Lexi’s smile encompassed her entire face. She wrapped her skinny arms around Dan’s neck and squeezed, then pulled back, kissed him on the cheek, and said, “Love you, Daddy. See you later, Sabrina.”

  I couldn’t hide my reaction to that if I tried. My mouth was still dragging on the floor after Lexi bounded out of the room. I remember her speaking to me before she left, and I’m sure I replied, but I have no idea what the exchange was about. The word “Daddy” kept ringing through my head.

  “You okay?” Dan’s deep voice brought me back to the here-and-now.

  “I didn’t know she was yours.”

  “I was about to explain that she was the reason for any scheduling problems.” I nodded in acknowledgement of his words, not knowing what else to do. “I help coach her softball team and the games are every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30, so I can’t workout then. I help her with her homework when she needs it, which isn’t too often.” He smiled proudly, “She’s pretty smart. And with summer vacation starting soon, that won’t be an issue.”

  “She seems like a wonderful little girl.” I laughed, starting to relax. “In fact, I complimented Jeff on that fact when I arrived. I thought she was his.”

  “I’m sure he took full credit for her.” He smiled wryly. “Actually, he deserves at least partial credit.” My confusion must have shown, because he explained, “Jeff is Lexi’s nanny, for lack of a better term.”

  “Jeff’s the nanny?”

  “Not your typical nanny, but that’s what it comes down to. He does other things for me, but keeping an eye on Lexi when I can’t is his main responsibility.”

  “Oh.”

  “You seem surprised.”

  “Yes. I mean no. I mean, nannies are usually…” I searched my brain for a tactful way to vocalize my thoughts.

  “Women?” Dan finished for me. I nodded. He clucked his tongue comically, shaking his head from side to side. “I’m surprised at you, Sabrina. I really am. I thought you were a modern woman. I didn’t expect you to be so chauvinistic.” His eyes crinkled in amusement.

  “I am not chauvinistic.”

  “Stereotyping a profession like that. I won’t tell Jeff about this ‘cause he’s bound to get his feelings hurt.”r />
  “Oh please.” I finally gave into the laughter that had been threatening to surface since the exchange began.

  Dan laughed with me for a few seconds, before our eyes clashed, stopping us both. Our sober gazes held for the space of several heartbeats until Dan drew a great breath, breaking the moment.

  “Well, at any rate, I tried going the so-called traditional route, but it didn’t quite work out.”

  It took me a minute to decode what he was saying. My hot flesh instantly cooled. Of course he couldn’t have a female nanny. He wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her so she could actually watch his daughter. Typical Dan.

  “It’s not what you’re thinking,” he said, through clenched teeth.

  “I’m sure it’s not,” was my flippant reply.

  “The first woman I hired seemed perfect, but I found out she was leaving Lexi in her playpen all afternoon so she could binge watch whatever on Netflix. The next one appeared in my bed one night, so I fired her.” He read the question lurking behind my eyes. “Before anything happened,” he answered in a low growl.

  “The next woman was too busy trying to get me to notice her daughter to pay attention to mine. And last, but not least, was Gracie. I thought she was the answer to my every prayer. A real Mary Poppins, you know? Her sons were grown and living out of the area, and she said she missed being needed. She was wonderful with Lexi…took her for walks, to the park, fixed her hair nice.” He shook his head and laughed, as though he still couldn’t comprehend what had happened.

  “Don’t tell me she ended up in your bed.”

  “Please don’t put that picture in my mind.” He shuddered and looked pained. “Too late.” He shook his head as if trying to erase the picture, like you’d do to an etch-a-sketch. “No, nothing like that. But,” he held up his index finger to emphasize his point, “shortly after she arrived, personal little tidbits about me started appearing on the internet.”

  “Oh no.” I groaned.

  “Oh yes. It seems Gracie had a sideline going with a handful of sites.”