GINA WILKINS – The Soldier's Legacy (страница 6)

Trevor grunted, knowing the lectures would come, both from his housekeeper and his mother. Maybe even from assorted friends and staff.

Mary Pat continued, “You shoot me a text or call me if you need anything at all later, you got it? Even if it’s in the middle of the night.”

“I’ll be fine, but thanks.”

Giving him a final pat, she bade him good-night and let herself out of his suite. As soon as the door closed behind her, he allowed himself one low moan when he shifted his throbbing leg on the ottoman, adjusting the ice pack covering his knee. He wore shorts and a T-shirt, baring his scarred leg for the treatment, and still the cold wasn’t helping much. The pain meds he’d been given at the hospital were wearing off, but he didn’t want to take more unless it became absolutely necessary.

He was aware that his disposition was growing darker by the moment. His business trip hadn’t gone particularly well, he’d foolishly reinjured his leg, he’d snapped unfairly at Mary Pat and there were guests in his home, so he had to be on his best behavior until he was back on his feet, regardless of his mood. The whole point of owning a house fifteen miles from the resort was to have a refuge where he could get away for a few hours from polite small talk, incessant smiles and perpetual hosting.

A quiet tap on his door deepened his scowl. It didn’t sound like Mary Pat’s usual firm rap. Had Jade come down to check on him? If so, it was thoughtful of her but not the greatest timing. Still, it would be rude to ignore her. Forcing himself into his usual practiced-host demeanor, he said, “Come in.”

The door opened slowly, but he had to lower his gaze to identify the visitor, who was much shorter than he’d expected. “Bella? Are you lost?”

The child stepped fully into the room, her expression tentative, one hand behind her back. He noted that she was dressed in blue pajamas decorated with leaping dolphins, and he wondered if she was supposed to be in bed.

“Is there something I can do for you?” he asked, though he wasn’t sure how much assistance he could provide at the moment.

“Mommy said you got hurt,” she said, her voice so soft he had to strain to listen. She pointed to his elevated right leg. “Does it hurt bad?”

“It’s felt better,” he answered candidly, “but I’ll be okay.”

Her brown eyes looked huge as she gazed at him with sympathy. “Were you trying to do a cartwheel?”

Reminded of their conversation the day they’d met, he smiled. “No, I wasn’t trying a cartwheel. But perhaps you can show me how you do them sometime.”

“Mommy says I have to do cartwheels outside unless I’m at gymnastics class,” she informed him solemnly.

“Then you can show me outside when we get the chance.” He studied her more closely. “What do have behind your back?” he asked in a casual tone.

Keeping her eyes focused hard on his face, as if to judge his reaction, she brought her hand around to show him a stuffed brown bear. “I brought this for you,” she replied in little more than a whisper.

Confused, he looked more closely at the bear. Looking well-loved, it was dressed in a pink T-shirt bearing the words Get Well Soon.

“GamGam gave me this when I had tonslisus,” Bella added earnestly. “It made me feel better. Maybe it will help your leg not hurt so much.”

Mentally translating tonslisus to tonsillitis, Trevor swallowed hard as he tried to come up with the proper response to her touching gesture. “That’s very kind of you, Bella. Thank you. Um—does your mother know you’re down here?”

Stepping closer to his chair, she set the bear carefully on his ottoman, next to his ice-pack-covered knee. “I don’t know.”

Which meant no, he decided. With a sigh, he reached for the crutches lying beside his chair. “I’ll take you back upstairs.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Jade stood in the doorway to his suite. Her arms crossed over her chest, Jade eyed her youngest in disapproval. “Bella, I’ve been looking all over for you! What on earth are you doing down here? Didn’t I tell you we have to leave Mr. Farrell alone?”

“You said he was hurt,” Bella argued. “So I brought Dr. Bear to make him feel better.”

“Oh. Well. You still shouldn’t have come down without telling me.” Jade shot a quick glance at Trevor, then motioned toward the door. “Back to bed, young lady. I’ll be up in a few minutes to make sure you’re tucked in.”

Bella took off without another word, leaving Trevor grinning despite himself. He stifled the smile when Jade looked around at him again.

“I’m sorry. I thought Bella was in bed until Erin let me know she was missing. I was in the rec room watching a TV show with Caleb.”

He leaned forward to pick up the toy. “She thought this would make me feel better. I’d hate to see her get in trouble for that.”

“She’s in trouble for sneaking downstairs without asking. I have to be able to trust her to follow my rules.” Jade tucked her hair behind one ear as she glanced down at his leg. He was sure she saw every scar he’d accumulated through the accident last year and the follow-up surgical repairs. They weren’t pretty. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I’m good, thanks.” Setting the stuffed bear on the table beside him, he shifted his weight in his chair. The movement dislodged the ice pack from his knee. He made a grab for it, but it fell to the floor. Jade rushed forward to scoop it up.

“This isn’t very cold,” she said with a frown. “Do you have another in the freezer?”

“I do, but I can probably leave it off for a while. I’ve had it on for almost half an hour.”

“The usual recommendation is twenty minutes, so you should be good for now. Would you like me to put this back in the freezer for later?”

“Sure.” He motioned toward the opposite wall in the sitting area of his bedroom suite. His deep leather chair and a matching one, both with ottomans, faced a fireplace above which hung a large-screen TV. Flanking the fireplace on either side were well-filled bookshelves. A French door to his right led out to the patio, and his bedroom and bath were on his left. His home office opened off the bedroom, so that his private sanctuary was entirely separate from the guest quarters.

Well, for the most part, he thought with a glance toward the teddy bear. “There’s a minifridge with a freezer behind the door on the right side of the fireplace. You can just stick the pack in there, thanks.”

Jade followed his directions, then closed the cabinet again and glanced around. “This is a lovely space.”

“Thanks. I enjoy it. Is everything okay upstairs for you and the kids? Anything you need?” he felt compelled to ask, despite his discomfort.

“No, it’s perfect for us, thank you.”

“Did you and the kids have a nice weekend?”

“Very nice, thank you. We spent Saturday at the beach. Caleb and Erin swam while Bella built sand castles and looked for shells. They’re going to love living so close to the ocean. But I’m sorry your trip ended so badly.”

He wasn’t sure if she’d heard the details of how he’d reinjured himself, but if so, at least she didn’t seem inclined to lecture him. He replied offhandedly, “Just a minor setback. I’ll be back on my feet in a few days.”

“Speaking of which...” She reached for a throw pillow on the other chair and carried it toward him. Gesturing toward his elevated leg, she asked, “Do you mind? Your leg really should be higher to make the edema go down faster.”

“You’re the nurse,” he said with a slight shrug.

Her hands were cool and obviously skilled as she lifted his calf to slide the extra pillow beneath. She resettled the leg carefully, then pressed lightly against the visible swelling. “Is there much pain here?”

Both her tone and her touch were briskly professional, yet still he had to clear his throat before answering lightly. “It’s felt better.”

“You have pain meds?”

“I have them.” He didn’t promise that he would take them. Not unless absolutely necessary.

Obviously not fooled, she smiled dryly and started to take a step back. “Okay, macho man, that’s your call. You have my cell number. Call if you need anything during the night, please. It’s the least I can do in return for your hospitality.”

On impulse, he caught her wrist. He really disliked appearing weak and injured in front of her, sitting here with his leg on pillows while she stood there looking...well, looking so damned good. “I told you before, you don’t owe me anything.”

She looked down at his hand, then raised her gaze to his. “And I told you that you have my gratitude, whether you want it or not.”

He didn’t want her gratitude. Because he couldn’t say what he did want from her, he released her. “You should probably make sure Bella got back to bed safely.”

“Yes.” But she didn’t move away. He noted that she rubbed her wrist absently, though his clasp had been gentle. “I can tell you’re hurting,” she said quietly. “I understand you want to be cautious with the prescription meds, but can I at least get you an over-the-counter pain reliever?”

He nodded toward the tray on the side table between the chairs. “Mary Pat left snacks, a carafe of hot herbal tea, meds—both prescription and OTC—and some sort of healing crystal. I’m good, thanks.”