by Judy Duarte
Just as she’d feared, absence seemed to have made her heart grow fonder. And whatever she’d been fighting while in his presence had only grown stronger, more difficult to tamp down and keep under control.
“So how’s it going?” she asked.
“It’s all right. I guess I lucked out while being here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I haven’t seen hide nor tail of a nurse named Brunhilda. She must have quit right before they transferred me to rehab.”
Again came that lazy grin, that teasing glimmer in his eyes.
Leah smiled, soothed by his easy manner while lured by the aura of sexual attraction that had built with each step he’d made toward full recovery.
What was she going to do about that? Hope that it ran its course before she fell in too deep?
Or maybe let it unfold naturally and see where it went?
“That is good news,” she said. “So I take it the nurses have treated you well.”
“Well, not as good as you did. But I don’t have any complaints. I just wish that I could say the same thing about my physical therapist. He’s an old military man, so he pushes hard. But he reminds me of my high school football coach, who used the same approach, which ought to be just as effective. With some hard work and perseverance, I’ll be back up to speed in no time at all.”
She certainly hoped so. He’d been through so much already.
As she scanned his room, which didn’t have anywhere near as much medical equipment as his old one, she noticed quite a few get-well cards that had been prominently displayed along the window ledge.
“Isabella did that,” he said. “And I didn’t have the heart to tell her I didn’t want that stuff displayed for all the world to see.”
The fact that he hadn’t wanted to hurt his sister’s feelings or to argue was a good sign.
“You didn’t have that many cards before. Apparently, your many friends and admirers are coming out of the woodwork.”
“Thanks to my brother. Rafe must have told everyone in town that I need cheering up.”
Every woman, most likely.
Leah managed a smile. “It must be working. You’re looking more upbeat.”
“It’s the music. It always does that to me.” He strummed the guitar for a moment, again lulling her while luring her with slow but seductive chords. Then he looked up, smiled and nodded toward the door. “Would you mind closing that for me?”
“Not at all.”
When she’d done as he asked and turned back toward him, he said, “Have a seat.”
As she settled into the chair by his bed, he began to play a familiar tune, and she found herself drawn by both the man and his music. While he sang, telling the tale of a lady who was down on love and the cowboy who set out to mend her broken heart, the soul-stirring lyrics and music touched something deep within her.
When he finished, it took a moment to find her breath, let alone her voice.
“That was beautiful,” she finally said. “I had no idea you were so talented. Have you ever sung professionally?”
“No.”
“Have you ever considered it?”
“Not for longer than a moment or two. My family sometimes ropes me into singing for them at birthday parties and get-togethers, but not very often.”
“I can see why they’d want you to sing.”
He paused for a moment, then said, “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind doing it. But if performing was a job, it wouldn’t be fun anymore.”
Too bad, she thought. He had a wonderful voice—rich and seductive—as well as a great command of the guitar. It wouldn’t take him long to build a fan base. But if getting on stage wasn’t his thing, then he’d made the right decision.
She let the subject of his talent drop and said, “You’re looking good. You even have a little color in your cheeks.”
“My therapist and I worked outside for a while today. And I’m glad we did. Being in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air felt great.”
Maybe that’s all he needed—to be out of the hospital and back on his feet. She’d have to mention that to his family if they brought up the idea of a counselor again.
Leah noticed an open laptop resting on Javier’s tray table, which was a pretty good indication that he’d begun to move into the real world again. “I see you’ve been doing more than watching television these days.”
He nodded. “I asked my dad to bring in a few things for me. I’m trying to play catch-up, but it’s going to take a while. I must have a million emails to wade through, not to mention some online banking I needed to do. If I hadn’t made two payments to the utility companies, I would’ve had turn-on fees—and no power or water when I got home.”
She supposed his family had been too worried about him to think about making sure his bills had been paid while he was out of commission. From what she understood, his finances were solid, so he wasn’t in debt, just behind on sending out checks.
“How much longer are you going to be here?” she asked.
“A day or so maybe. Jeremy wanted to consult with my neurologist. He’s going to let me know what’s going on when he makes his rounds today.”
“I’ll bet your family is planning a huge celebration when you’re discharged,” she said, knowing how concerned they’d been, how supportive of him.
“I wouldn’t be surprised, but I’m not up for any parties. I just want to go home and sleep in my own bed for a change.”
She couldn’t imagine being hospitalized for more than two months, but before she could comment, a knock sounded at the door.
“Come on in,” Javier called out.
Jeremy Fortune entered. When he spotted Leah, he seemed a little surprised.
“I thought I’d stop by and visit Javier,” she said. “I’d heard you were going to release him soon, and I wanted to say goodbye and wish him the best.”
Jeremy nodded as if her explanation made total sense. But why wouldn’t it? No one knew what she was thinking, what she was feeling.
Goodness, how could they when she didn’t even have a clue?
“Looks like Leah stopped by just in the nick of time if she wants to say goodbye.” Jeremy scanned Javier’s room, then broke into a smile. “We’re going to send you home, which we’d better do before you nest in here for good.”
“I take it that I’ve been given the green light,” Javier said.
“Yes, you have. We have another test we’d like to run before we cut you loose, but nothing major. I see no reason you can’t go home this evening—unless you want to hold off until morning.”
“No, I’d like to go as soon as I can. I’ll call around and see if I can find a ride home.”
“I’m off duty at six,” Leah said before she could consider what she was offering.
“You wouldn’t mind taking me home?” he asked.
She certainly ought to mind. What had she been thinking?
Visiting him at the hospital was one thing; she could explain that to herself and whoever might ask. But if she knew where he lived, if she delivered him home, she’d be tempted to stop by to see him again. And then where would she be?
Of course, it was too late to backpedal now. “No, I don’t mind at all. That is, unless you’d rather ask someone else to take you.”
Javier tossed her a bright-eyed grin. “To be honest, I’d actually like going home with you.”
Going home with her?
She knew what he meant. He was talking about the ride she’d offered. But she couldn’t help thinking about getting him in her car, driving straight to her house, putting him in her bedroom and continuing to monitor his recovery and care.
But that was the most absurd and i
nappropriate musing she’d had in days. Still, she managed to conjure a carefree smile and said, “Great.” Then she nodded toward the open doorway. “I’d better get back to work. I’ll see you around six.”
“Good deal.”
Was it? She wasn’t so sure. But as she slipped out his door and started down the corridor, she found herself wearing a silly grin and humming the tune Javier had just sung to her.
After Javier signed the discharge paperwork, he called his family to give them the good news: he was finally going home. Needless to say, they’d been overjoyed.
While he’d talked to Isabella she’d suggested that she and J.R. throw a party for him at their ranch, but Javier had asked her not to bother planning anything. He’d certainly regained some strength and built up a bit of endurance over the past week in rehab, but he had a long way to go until he felt the least bit normal.
As far as he was concerned, there was no real cause for celebration yet. He might be walking again, but he had a limp. And he still struggled to stay on top of the feeling that his once charmed life had been stolen from him.
His dad and his brothers, including Miguel, who’d flown in from New York City two days ago, and Marcos, who was spending all of his free time at home with Wendy and their newborn daughter, offered to pick him up at the hospital and take him anywhere he wanted to go. But Javier told them he already had a ride lined up.
He just hoped it hadn’t been a mistake to accept Leah’s offer. But she’d been the one person he’d looked forward to seeing, the only one who seemed to understand how he felt and what he’d been through, the one who had a ready smile and drew one from him without fail.
In fact, he’d been tempted to ask her out several times after he moved from ICU to the third floor—and again after he was sent to the rehab unit. But he hadn’t broached the subject. After all, she deserved a man who had his life together, his future mapped out. And Javier wasn’t there yet.
Since he’d packed his belongings a couple of minutes ago, including the guitar, he took a seat in the chair near the bed until Leah got off work and came for him.
Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait very long.
“Hey there,” Leah said as she walked into his room. “I just clocked out, so I’m free to leave. Is everything still a go? Are they still discharging you this evening?”
“Everything’s done. All I have to do is ask for an orderly to wheel me out to the curb.”
“Then I’ll get my car and meet you there.”
Five minutes later, Javier was carefully maneuvering himself from the wheelchair and into the passenger seat of Leah’s black Honda Civic. “I appreciate your offer to take me home.”
“No problem. Just tell me where we’re going.”
His first thought was to suggest they go out on the town, maybe have a drink at his favorite upscale country-and-western bar, but the old Javier was still out of commission. It would be a while before he stepped out on a dance floor again or heard another bartender announce last call.
“I probably ought to stop by the pharmacy,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of prescriptions to pick up.”
“Should we swing by the market, too? If you haven’t been home in months, you’ll probably need to stock up on some food.”
“Actually, I should be okay. I have a lady who comes in regularly—at least, she did before I was laid up. I called her yesterday and asked her to clean out the fridge, then to stock it for me.” He’d also asked her to stop by tomorrow so he could pay her, and she’d insisted upon helping him to settle in.
“Sounds like you’ve got everything under control,” Leah said as she gripped the wheel.
Not like before. But he nodded and said, “It’s an old habit.”
“You mentioned doing some online banking. I hope you paid your cable bill. You’re going to need your TV.”
He didn’t know about that. He’d watched enough television over the past few weeks to last him a lifetime. And while it had helped the days to pass, he’d gotten pretty sick and tired of watching game shows and old movies, although he still enjoyed Pawn Stars.
Even ESPN, which had always been a favorite cable network, hadn’t done much for him other than remind him of his physical shortcomings, so he’d steered clear of that channel.
So once he got home, he’d probably avoid TV for a while. He had a state-of-the-art entertainment center and looked forward to listening to some good music for a change.
“The utilities are working, and the house is in order. So I’ve got everything under control.” He stole a glance across the console, wondering if Leah was buying him being on top of it all.
Sure, his bills had been paid and Margarita had stocked his fridge and pantry with food. The TV worked and so did the surround sound system.
But the things he’d really enjoyed doing like morning runs, biking and playing tennis were lost to him. At least for the unforeseeable future. Still, he had Leah to himself for the next few miles. And he planned to enjoy every minute of their time together.
Chapter Six
After stopping by the pharmacy, Leah followed Javier’s directions to his gated community and pulled up in front of the condominium he pointed out as his.
She had to admit that she was a bit surprised at the part of town in which he lived. Sure, she’d known that he’d been successful and financially secure, but she hadn’t realized he lived in one of the more exclusive areas of Red Rock, which was impressive by anyone’s standards. And she couldn’t help commenting on what he’d probably heard a hundred times. “This is a great neighborhood.”
“Thanks. It was one of the first developments my cousin Roberto and I worked on. I liked the location and the builder, and had been offered my choice of units. So I snatched this one because it’s on the greenbelt and close to the pool and the biking trails.”
She couldn’t help wondering if he was going to invite her into his home, and not just because she was eager to see what it looked like on the inside.
“If you unlock the door,” she said, “I’ll bring in your things.”
“I’ll carry something.”
“How are you going to do that? You’re walking with a cane, remember?”
He grew silent. She hadn’t meant to remind him of his limitations, but he was just getting to the point where he could walk from point A to point B. Why risk a fall now?
Minutes later, Javier opened up the door and turned on the lights.
“What a beautiful painting,” Leah said as she spotted the brightly colored artwork he’d purchased in San Antonio.
“Thanks. The artist is especially talented. Isabella knows him and suggested I check out his work when I was decorating the place.”
“It was a great suggestion,” Leah said. “And you made a good choice.”
After dropping off the first load of his things on the floor near the sofa, she returned to the car for the rest of them, the last of which were two potted plants he’d received during his stay on the third floor.
“Do you mind if I place these on the kitchen counter for now?” she asked.
“That’s fine. Thanks.”
While in the kitchen, she scanned the interior, taking note of the black granite counters and the stainless steel appliances that would be up to Emeril’s standards. Then she returned to the living area, picking up on the scent of lemon oil and cleaning products, as well as noting the professional decor.
With its modern leather furniture and touches of chrome and glass, it could have been one of the models in the presale days.
In the living room, where Javier had settled on the sofa, she spotted a state-of-the-art entertainment center. And she couldn’t help thinking the interior decorating had been customized with a bachelor in mind. Still, it required a comment of
some kind.
“Your home is beautiful,” she said. “And spotless. It hardly looks lived in.”
“That’s probably because it’s been vacant for months.”
That’s not what she’d meant. But she let it go. He’d mentioned having a cleaning lady, so the woman had probably had plenty of time to spend polishing the place while he’d been gone.
“Have you had dinner?” she asked. “Do you want me to fix you something to eat?”
“That sounds good—if you’ll join me. You’ve got to be hungry, too.”
She was. And while the smartest thing to do would be to fix him a quick sandwich, throw back the covers on his bed, then skedaddle, she found herself saying, “Sure, why not?”
And that’s the attitude she maintained for the next thirty minutes as she took a couple of chicken breasts from the freezer and defrosted them in the microwave. She found pasta and spices in the pantry, which she used to create a flavorsome dinner for two.
When she entered the living room to tell him dinner was ready and ask where he wanted them to eat, she found music playing on the stereo and the blinds opened to reveal a beautiful array of city lights.
Clearly, she’d been right about this being a bachelor pad. And about Javier knowing how to set the stage for romance.
Of course, with her wearing a pair of hospital scrubs, it was hard to imagine him having romance on his mind. And while that should be a relief, she couldn’t quite muster a smile.
“Why don’t we eat in here,” Javier said, indicating the dining room table. “I haven’t had a meal with any ambiance since… Well, since last year.”
The tornado had occurred at the end of December, and while that had been a couple of months ago, technically he was right. But a second thought struck her.
He hadn’t mentioned the tornado. Was that on purpose? Was he trying to put it out of his mind while he dealt with the aftereffects and his recovery?
Or was she reading way too much into it?
“I’ll bring in our plates,” she said, deciding to drop the subject completely. “What would you like to drink?”