Right in Front of You: (A Friends to Lovers Contemporary Romance)

by Lacey Silks

“I’ll do this, only if you promise me that you will be strong as well.”

  She was worth it. This resilient girl was worth any pain I’d faced times a thousand.

  “I do. I will be strong and so will you.”

  “Okay, enough of the serious talk, Carter. How is Doctor Fowler?” she asked.

  “You want an honest answer?”

  “I won’t settle for anything else.”

  Of course she wouldn’t. Sarah had the soul of an adult and she didn’t even know it.

  “She’s beautiful and smart and hot…” Wait, did I just say hot to an eight-year-old?

  “Are you going to ask her out on a date?”

  “You think I should?”

  She shook her head vigorously. “I think she’s been waiting for you to ask her out. She’s special.”

  “I know she is; that’s why I can’t do what everyone else would do. I have to make it extra special.”

  Sarah moved in closer. Her eyes held the wisdom of a senior. “Don’t you see it, Carter? No matter what you do, it will be special because she cares about you.”

  I smiled at her, and for a moment I thought I was looking into Daisy’s eyes. For a moment, I thought it was her, who’d said the wise words to me. “Thanks, kid. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Please do. And Carter?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Can we save the hand puppets for another day?” She closed her eyes momentarily. It appeared as if her eyelids were falling on their own. Barely having touched her food, she lowered the fork from her hand, mindlessly dropping it on the plate.

  “Yes, we can. We’ll make an entire puppet show.” I reached for her blanket and pulled it up to cover her. “Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll check on you after my appointment.”

  “See you later, hero.”

  “See you later, hero.” I replied, hoping that one day she’d understand why I called her that. She was the one who was a true hero. Could I be a donor for her next treatment? And why did it feel like Sarah was running out of time?

  I rolled my wheelchair out of the door and took the elevator to the burn recovery unit. On the third floor, the door opened and Doctor Burke stepped inside.

  “Hey, Carter. How’s it going?”

  “Good. Check-up time. How are you, Doctor Burke? Are you here on business?”

  “No, I wish that were the case. It’s a personal matter this time.”

  “I hope everything is all right.”

  “I hope so too. Just the old ticker giving me a little bit of trouble, that’s all. How are you feeling? I heard Molly’s taking care of you.”

  “Yes, she is, and if you can’t tell by my progress, she’s doing a great job.”

  That was a lie, of course, because I didn’t let Molly help me as much as she wanted to. I craved independence. I didn’t want to be a cripple, especially in front of Molly.

  “How is Molly doing? I haven’t seen her back in town for a while.”

  “She’s good, but if you know of a way to get her to come to Hope Bay, I’d love to hear it.”

  “I thought having you there would be reason enough. Molly’s always been smitten with you.”

  “Yeah, it’ll take a lot more than this cripple to get her back home.”

  He gave me a confused look but then he pressed his heart and took a sharp breath.

  “Are you feeling all right?”

  “Wish I was. It will pass.”

  “You know, for a doctor, you’re not taking this heart stuff seriously enough.”

  “Just like a mechanic usually drives an old broken car.”

  I laughed. He was right.

  “Don’t worry, Carter. I just think it’s time for this old geezer to rest.”

  “Why don’t you retire?”

  “I would if anyone else would take over the clinic.”

  “Molly! She’s a doctor now. She could do it.”

  Now he was the one to laugh. Doctor Burke shook his head, and it appeared as if he were lost in some sort of a memory for a moment. When he looked at me again, sadness flashed in his eyes.

  “Anything I can do to help you and Molly?” Doctor Burke left the elevator with me and followed me to the waiting area. After I registered, he sat down beside me.

  He never did answer my question about Molly taking over his practice. Maybe it was a little presumptuous of me to ask whether he’d give up his life’s work to someone else.

  “Do you know how to permanently get her father out of town?”

  “Hah! I guess I’m not the only one with that wish. It seems like that man is capable of pushing everyone out of Hope Bay.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Even his family disowned him. I really thought he’d be there for his brother when Sarah got sick.”

  I narrowed my brows. “Right. Ron is Sarah’s estranged uncle.”

  “Yes, but don’t say that in front of Sarah. I don’t think she even knows they’re related.”

  “Wait – was Ron Fowler tested for compatibility for Sarah? For bone marrow?”

  “I don’t think so. Even if he were a match, though, that man is a drunk. His liver and kidneys probably resemble Swiss cheese, and he wouldn’t qualify.”

  Right.

  “But if they’re compatible.”

  “Wouldn’t make any difference. Unless he’s on his death bed, doctors would never consider such a transplant.”

  I felt a familiar chill pass through me, as if someone was trying to guide me.

  “Doctor Burke… I don’t know why, but I have this feeling that we should ask Ron Fowler to do a test.”

  “Carter, a test is more than just blood work and Ron Fowler would never agree to one.”

  “Too bad. A little girl’s life could be saved.” I sighed.

  “You’re a good man, Carter. You’ve always been very protective of Molly. You still are. It’s a respectable trait.”

  “Well, some people are worth taking a chance on, and Molly’s one of them. Look how many people she’ll be able to help – even save – as a doctor. She’s going to be amazing.” I smiled.

  “I’m glad things are turning out good for the two of you. I had my doubts for a while there.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, you two have known each other for a long time.”

  “Since childhood.”

  “Sometimes the decisions we make in our early years aren’t the best ones.”

  What was he getting at?

  “I’m glad you two stayed safe, Carter. Real glad. And I’m glad that Molly has a good friend in you.”

  I was the lucky one. By the time I had a chance to ask him what he meant by us staying safe, I was called into the doctor’s office. He changed my bandages and assessed the wounds, after which he posed ten thousand questions about my state of mind and workout habits, and checked the charts I had to complete each time I changed my own dressing at home or let Molly take care of it. After growling, huffing and puffing, and telling me that I wasn’t doing it often enough, he released me. That was of course after another fifteen minutes of me promising to follow the instructions.

  On my way out, I stopped by Sarah’s room, but she was still sleeping. I peeked in and closed my eyes.

  Thank you, I heard and almost fell over in my wheelchair — if that was even possible.

  “Daisy?” I whispered.

  But she didn’t reply. Still, I felt her presence like I’d never felt before. Her voice confirmed that the plan I had set in motion was the right one. Surviving that fire was slowly beginning to make sense. My recovery was not only crucial for me, but also for Sarah and for her family.

  MOLLY

  I never liked surprises. Not unless I was the one setting one up. Last week I invited Mr. and Mrs. Clark for dinner, and today, Carter would see them for the first time since his release. They’d been away, as Mr. Clark was fighting fires in the Northwest and Mrs. Clark helped cook for the firefighters. They didn’t want to leave when they found out that
Carter would no longer be staying at the hospital, but after my continuous assurance that I’d watch over him, they agreed, promising to see us as soon as they returned.

  I leaned over the table and blew out the candle. Carter hated when I left the room and one was still burning. Though it had only been a week since Carter had moved into my apartment, he was already beginning to use his crutches. The limp on his left side was still noticeable, and from the look on his face when he moved forward, it was painful. In the evenings, after a long day of straining his leg, he preferred the wheelchair. Actually, Carter didn’t prefer the wheelchair. He hated the “four-wheeled Satan’s ride,” as he called it, referring to himself as a useless cripple. His frustration seeped out of his pores, but I learned that with Carter, it was better to let go and let him have a time out for a while, like a little child, until he could cool off and think like a man again. With my complicated work schedule, we hadn’t seen much of each other, but I made time to assess his progress and change some of his dressings once each day, because Carter was apparently ticklish around his torso and wouldn’t let me touch those, and help him get to the hospital for his checkups. Yes, it had been busy.

  Today is going to be a good day, I thought, just as something clattered on the bathroom floor and Carter yelped out in pain. I jumped over the chair, bumping into a cabinet corner with my thigh. The imprint would leave a healthy bruise the size of an orange. I opened the bathroom door without thinking about knocking, only to see him buck naked on the floor, staring up at me in all his natural glory.

  “I’m so sorry.” I quickly pulled my hand up to cover my eyes, though not quick enough. The image of him naked and splayed out on the floor was not one that any woman could ever forget. “Are you okay?”

  Instead of getting frustrated, the way I expected, he started laughing. “You can look now, Molly. I’m covered.”

  Cautiously, I slid my palm off my eyes. He might as well not have been covered at all because the small face towel did little to hide him. Each curve of him, partially hard, was outlined against the wisp of fabric. The worst part was that I couldn’t stop staring. While I’d seen him in practically nothing before, today something new woke up within me. My heart was pounding and my palms became sweaty. As my eyes caught the pulse of his vein in his thigh, I felt my own blood rush through me. Most of it was now concentrated below my belt. This new feeling surged inside me as a need to touch a real man grew. I wanted him to hold me and hug me, skin to skin; and I’d never had that urge to feel someone else’s body. In fact, I’d sworn off men altogether. That was until I thought about Carter Clark. The twitch in my palm grew to meet his size as I wondered whether I’d be able to wrap my fingers all the way around him.

  “My eyes are up here, babe.”

  I jumped with embarrassment and met his cocky grin.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just hard… I mean, difficult… not to stare when you’re all… naked.”

  “Haven’t you seen a naked man before?” he asked, his voice lowering to a deep growl. He kept his gaze fixed on me, completely focused on my reply.

  “Of course I have.”

  On an operating table.

  Seeing Carter naked reminded me of the buffed guys in workout videos, muscled, dripping wet, and enticing. Holy goodness of all the delicious things! Despite his injuries, this man had nothing short of an amazing physique. Warmth swirled inside me. It shortened my inhale to a quick gasp and I grabbed the side of the door for support.

  “Something tells me it’s been a while since you’ve seen one.” His brow rose in that sexy way only he could do as he pulled his fingers through his hair. And when the dimple cut into his right cheek again, I melted. If this continued, I’d be the one on the floor, in desperate need of relief.

  I cleared my throat, my eyes darting away from him to the crisscrossed print on the wall. It was the same wallpaper as when I’d moved in, and it irked me as much now as it did on day one. Speaking of things that irked…

  “Carter, can you not call me babe?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s not you. It’s just that Father used to call me baby, and… well—”

  “No need to explain, Molly. Consider it done. And I’m sorry that I brought up such a bad memory for you.”

  Wow, he was really trying, wasn’t he? Sometimes I wondered why he didn’t bring up the barn fire again, or Father for that matter, but maybe he had listened to my plea. Perhaps we could start fresh after all. I reached for a bath towel hanging on the wall and threw it down toward him, covering most of the lower part of his body.

  “How have you been showering up until now?” I asked.

  “I crawl over the top and sit. It’s actually much easier than using those stupid plastic seats at the hospital.”

  “You bathe with the bandages?”

  “Yes, the skin’s sensitive. I don’t want water on the wound.”

  “But the doctor said to remove them before a shower. I thought you did them on your own because you’re ticklish. Carter, don’t smile at me like that. This is serious.”

  He didn’t let go of that sexy grin. I found it difficult to speak to him when he looked at me in that adoringly cute way.

  “Are you giving me the third degree?” he asked.

  “No, I’m being a concerned friend, and looking at it from a doctor’s point of view, that area must be cleaned. Fluids come up. They need to be washed away to prevent an infection.”

  “Well, they’ll just crust and fall off.”

  “Carter, don’t even joke about this. Let me see your wound.” I knelt beside him, removed the surgical scissors off the sink counter, and cut through the bandage. He wiggled a little when my fingertips touched his skin. The torso area had been the only one he hadn’t shown me yet.

  Seeing the nice skin color, I breathed with relief.

  “See? I’m all healthy.”

  “You almost gave me a heart attack. You need to have this cleaned.”

  He flinched when my finger lightly touched the more sensitive area.

  “Sorry.” I whispered.

  “It’s okay. It still hurts when I touch it as well. I accidentally forgot about the wound while washing and the area itched a lot. I scraped my fingers over the scabs. It hurt like a bitch.”

  For a man who fought fires, braved tornadoes, and wasn’t afraid of much, it must have taken a lot for Carter to admit pain.

  “Oh, Carter. Itching is good. It means it’s healing; but why didn’t you say something? I could have helped.”

  “In the shower?”

  “Yes, I’m a professional.”

  “So if I were naked in the shower, you would have just bathed me? Now that I say it out loud, the idea sounds pretty good. Would you have washed my entire body, Molly?”

  His voice was so low and enticing that shivers ran up and down my arms. Feeling my vocal cords constrict, I swallowed through my throat, which felt like a straw, and just nodded. It would take all my willpower to remain professional, but I wasn’t one to reject a challenge. What woman would, with a man like Carter Clark?

  “Liar. I can see it in your eyes, Molly. You would have been turned on.” His coy grin of satisfaction stretched wide.

  “Well, I can turn off the turn on.” I felt my cheeks heat. Did that even make sense? “Cover yourself and let me help you get up.” I reached for his right, unbandaged arm. He braced himself against me, the closeness of his body affecting mine way over any comfortable limits. My heart palpitated, and I tried to calm it with a steadier breath, but it was nearly impossible. As I took him under his elbow, he stepped over the tub, letting the small towel fall from underneath. Instead of covering himself with the bath towel, he let it drop to the floor at the foot of the tub. I looked straight ahead, desperately trying to concentrate on the task at hand: washing Carter’s wound. Though, the thought of touching him in any way made my mind spin.

  He finally sat down in the tub as I kept my gaze fixed on the wall tiles.
I turned on the water, checked the temperature, and let it run.

  “Bubbles?” I asked. Maybe they’d cover him a little. Perhaps if there was a visual break between us, even if it was only foam, I could actually focus.

  “Sure.”

  I poured in the liquid and waited with impatience until the water forced clouds of white suds upward.

  “Are you more comfortable now?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.

  “Why would I be uncomfortable?”

  “Come on, Molly. Don’t tell me that having me naked in your bathroom is not affecting you, because it sure as hell is affecting me.”

  It is?

  “It’s taking everything I have not to pull you inside here. Do I have to be half-dead and frozen for you to join me in a tub?”

  My memories of how good it felt to be in a bathtub with Carter weaved through me like a poisonous snake, filling my mind with hormonal venom that flushed my body with long-denied needs. I wondered what it would feel like to sit against him in that tub again, but this time not to save his life, but to enjoy him.

  “Carter, we’re friends. Good friends. And I don’t want to cross that boundary.” To prove to him just how okay I was with helping him bathe, I reached for the sponge, squeezed some soap, and gently pressed it to his shoulder, scrubbing up and down his right arm. It didn’t seem to deter his questioning at all.

  “Ever?”

  “I… I don’t know. I’m not sure. It’s… my life’s good now. I wouldn’t want to complicate things and you’re recovering.” I didn’t want to tell him that I was afraid that he still loved Daisy. Most of all, I didn’t want to tell him how afraid I was to get closer, not only to him, but to any man. And then all my other secrets… well, I’d stashed them away, but if I were in a relationship with Carter, they were sure to come up, and I didn’t want them to. I moved to the side and pulled the sponge over his back. He let out a soft moan, which put a smile on my face.

  “So, tell me all about your life. I want to know all the details. I want to know if you like your coffee black or with milk. Do you prefer your eggs scrambled or boiled? I want to know which side of the bed you like to sleep on and whether you like to cuddle,” he asked.