All for You

by Moore, Heather B.

  He was so close, and although only their hands were touching, she felt warm all over despite the chill of the night.

  “Do you have a girlfriend, Nelson?”

  One of his brows arched. “I wouldn’t be out here holding your hand if I did.” His thumb slowly brushed across her hand, back and forth, back and forth.

  Goose pimples raced along her arms at the slow caress. “What are you all dressed up for?” she asked in a quiet voice.

  Nelson seemed to hesitate, then he said, “I met with Dawson earlier.”

  She couldn’t have been more surprised. “Why?”

  He didn’t answer for a few seconds.

  “Nelson?” she prompted.

  “I, uh . . .” He released her hand and leaned against the fence. “I wanted to ask him some questions about what he’s doing to stop Paul Locker.”

  Lindsey stared at Nelson, although he wasn’t looking at her. He was gazing at the elk, apparently fascinated by them now. She didn’t know what to say. Or to think. Finally, she said, “Dawson’s a good lawyer.”

  “Oh, believe me, he assured me of that,” he said. “That guy doesn’t lack confidence.” Nelson turned to face her then and reached for her hand again. He drew her close and set his hands on her hips.

  Oh boy. Her heart betrayed her, thumping like mad, while her body wanted to lean into him even more.

  Then she understood. Clearly. She placed her hands on his forearms. His skin was warm, and she could feel the outline of his muscles. “Don’t even think about it, Tyler Nelson.”

  His brows lifted a touch. “Think about what?”

  “Whatever it is you’re thinking of doing,” she said. “Don’t go find Paul. Stay away from him. You can’t get caught up in this, because it could get ugly in the press. And you need to keep your pristine record.”

  “Dawson said it could take months or even longer,” he said. “That’s bullsh—”

  “I know,” she cut in. “That’s how it works.”

  “In the meantime, the guy lives his life,” Nelson said in a slow voice, “with nothing stopping him from treating a woman the same way again. I don’t like it.”

  Lindsey almost smiled at Nelson’s protectiveness, but there was nothing humorous about Paul. “I don’t like it either. But please don’t do anything. The system will take care of it.”

  Nelson didn’t look too convinced.

  Lindsey moved her hands up his arms, until they were resting on his shoulders. The solid curve of his shoulder rippled beneath her hands, and it also brought her much closer to him. She tilted her head. “Nelson, please don’t do anything.”

  The edge of his mouth lifted. “Are you trying to sweet-talk me?”

  “Is it working?” she asked.

  His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Yes.”

  “Good.” She moved her hands behind his neck, her fingers sliding through his hair. “Promise me you won’t have any contact with Paul.”

  Nelson slid his hands behind her waist and up her back, pulling her closer. Their faces were only inches away now.

  “Promise?” she whispered.

  He leaned down, and she closed her eyes.

  The first touch of his lips on hers was gentle. Questioning.

  He drew back for a second, and she kept her eyes closed, her face upturned. Waiting.

  “I promise,” he whispered back.

  She started to smile, but then he kissed her again, stopping that smile. His second kiss wasn’t as tentative, and she melted into his warmth and want. She grasped the edges of his collar, and he buried one hand in her hair as he kissed her more deeply, more intently. Taking and giving.

  She couldn’t feel her feet, and she wondered if she was floating. The solid warmth of Nelson’s body surrounding hers made her feel safe, secure. Her thoughts raced, her skin buzzed, her heart thrummed. So. She was kissing Tyler Nelson. A pro hockey player who would be returning to Vegas in a couple of weeks. Was this some sort of desperate reaction to all the stress she’d been under?

  Or had Nelson come into her life at the precise moment that she needed him?

  Because she was really feeling that need like a deep ache.

  Nelson was the one who had to break off the kiss, since Lindsey was quickly losing all reasoning. He drew away, and leaned his forehead against hers, both of them catching their breath.

  “Wow,” he whispered.

  That about summed it up. “Yeah, wow.”

  He pulled her tightly against him, and she buried her face against his neck. Breathing him in as the tingles started all over again. But she didn’t move, didn’t try to kiss him again. For this moment, being held by Nelson, with the cool air like a soft caress, would be something she never wanted to forget.

  Nelson raked a hand through his hair, then answered the Facetime call from Coach. Nelson already knew that Coach talked to Maddy every few days for updates, but this was the first time Nelson had talked to him. A 6:30 a.m. call didn’t bode too well.

  “Maddy called me with some concerns,” Coach said the second the connection was made.

  Coach Graydon was a no-nonsense type of guy and ran his team like a tight ship. He also didn’t communicate much beyond the sport. He was one of the highest-rated coaches in the league, but it could be said that the man had no life outside the sport or interest in his players’ personal lives in the least. And now, Coach’s dark brows pulled together in apprehension didn’t make Nelson relax.

  “What concerns?” Nelson asked, although he already knew. Maddy hadn’t been quiet about the time Nelson had spent with Lindsey. She’d moved yesterday into her new place, and Nelson had helped her get things set up, including assembling a couple of bookcases. He’d hoped to steal another kiss, but that hadn’t happened yet.

  Things with Lindsey were definitely tentative. They lived a state apart. She was starting over. He was trying to salvage his career. Maddy had complained that a romantic distraction was the last thing Nelson needed. And Nelson would have completely agreed with that type of logic if the woman had been anyone other than Lindsey.

  Lindsey was . . . unexpected. She was intelligent and witty, and she didn’t buy into any of his complaining. Nelson still hadn’t decided which look he liked best on Lindsey. Her dressy, no-nonsense high heels, or the jeans and T-shirt she’d worn when he’d helped her move, or the leggings and tank shirt she wore when out running.

  Last night, she’d laughed when he’d told her he wanted to count her freckles. She’d dodged him, but then he’d caught her in a bear hug. Holding her had made him forget his original statement.

  “Nelson,” his coach said in his grumbling voice. “Pay attention.”

  Nelson blinked. Uh, right. “I’m listening, Coach.”

  The line between Coach’s brows only deepened. “Maddy says you’re dating a woman in Pine Valley and eating carbs.”

  Well . . . getting right to the point. “I’ve helped Lindsey move into her apartment, and we’ve spent some time together. But we’re not dating, sir. I’m well aware of my reasons for being here, and I haven’t missed one workout session with Maddy.”

  Coach stared through the phone, straight into Nelson’s eyes.

  “I’m also overloaded on the whole foods and greens,” he said. “We both know I can handle a few carbs.”

  “Not if it slows down the healing process,” Coach said. “I don’t need to tell you what happened with Ben last game.”

  “I saw,” Nelson said. The Falcons had won by one point again, after Ben let two goals through. The game was too close of a call for anyone to be pleased or in a celebratory mood.

  “We need you focused,” Coach continued. “You have an MRI scheduled for this afternoon. I want the results immediately.”

  “Sure thing, Coach,” Nelson said, when in fact his stomach had twisted. Yeah, an MRI would be good, but he was already feeling claustrophobic thinking about it. Ironic, he knew. His hockey goaltender uniform should make him claustrophobic. But it was nothing compared
to the narrow tube he had to stay absolutely still inside of, even if it was only the lower half of his body.

  When Nelson hung up with Coach, he scrubbed a hand through his hair and stared out the window. Dawn was well on its way, and the sky forecasted a clear and cold day in Pine Valley. He missed that Lindsey wasn’t staying in the bed and breakfast anymore. But at least he did have her cell number now. Maybe he’d ask her to come with him to the MRI for, well, moral support.

  No.

  She was probably busy, working on that client list of hers.

  Nelson picked up his phone again and sent a text. Are you extremely busy this afternoon, as in lockdown, saving-the-world meetings?

  She was probably out running or unpacking or still sleeping. He didn’t expect her to call him right away, but that’s what she did. Nelson’s pulse skittered when he saw who was calling. Maybe Coach was right and Nelson was getting distracted.

  But that didn’t stop the smile that bloomed on his face as he answered. “Did I wake you?”

  “What would you do if I told you yes?”

  He could hear the smile in her voice, and that made him inordinately pleased. He crossed to his bed and settled against the stacked-up pillows. “I would apologize first, then ask if you wanted to go to breakfast.”

  “Maddy’s setting you free?”

  “Uh, no.”

  Lindsey laughed. “That’s what I thought. I don’t want you to get in trouble with your boss.”

  “Physical therapist,” Nelson corrected. “But yeah, I can see where you’d think she was my boss. But speaking of bosses. My coach just called.”

  “Oh?” she said.

  Nelson heard the trepidation in her voice and didn’t know what to make of it. “Yeah. I’m getting another MRI this afternoon. Coach wants to evaluate the improvement. Ben really struggled this last game.”

  “Yeah,” Lindsey said. “I was with you.”

  They’d watched the game together, and although Nelson had tried to keep his yelling at the television at a minimum, he couldn’t suppress it all.

  “Sometimes I hate that I got injured,” Nelson said. “Well, I hate it every shi—shining second. The MRI better reveal something good.”

  “I’m sure it will,” Lindsey said. “So, about your very vague text . . . Do you want me to come with you?”

  Nelson exhaled as relief and gratitude coursed through him. “Would you?” he asked in a quiet voice.

  “Sure.”

  He sat up. “Really?”

  She laughed. “Really. I’m my own boss, remember. Unlike some people I know.”

  “Ha ha,” he deadpanned. But he was ecstatic. Who knew he’d ever look forward to an MRI? “Can I pick you up from your office about 2:00?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  The smile in her voice made Nelson wish his MRI was this morning. Say, in about twenty minutes. “Are you sure you don’t want to play hooky with me and get breakfast?”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to, Mr. Goaltender,” Lindsey said in a soft tone. “But I think you’d better listen to Maddy.”

  “Why are you always right?” Nelson teased. “Was that a requirement to get into law school?”

  “Something like that,” she said.

  Nelson was reluctant to hang up, but he was supposed to meet Maddy three minutes ago, and he probably shouldn’t be dragging out this conversation. When they hung up, Nelson stayed on his bed another minute.

  He sent a text to his sister, who now knew something about Lindsey.

  Hey, sis, talked to Coach. Who is not happy that I’m seeing Lindsey. Do you think I should say anything to her?

  The three dots bounced before Becca’s reply came back. Haha. Love it that my bro is smitten. It’s about time. But don’t put Lindsey in the middle of your discussion with your coach, even though it’s about her. Wait until you know where things are going with your recovery. Maybe you’ll trip up the hospital steps and have to add another month.

  Nelson scoffed. My first injury in twenty-nine years, and you think I’m now a klutz?

  Oh, I thought there was a reason you had to wear so many pads at your games, Becca texted.

  You’re full of jokes in the morning, aren’t ya, sis?

  Learned it from the best, bro, Becca wrote, adding a winking emoji.

  Your days of giving me advice are numbered, Nelson texted.

  Becca texted back several emojis including a laughing face, a heart-eyes face, and the 1-2-3 icon.

  Nelson chuckled, then pushed off his bed. He was now almost ten minutes late meeting Maddy. Maybe Coach was right. Nelson needed to keep his focus, because at no time during the conversation with Lindsey had he regretted coming to Pine Valley. And he should regret it because it meant he was in therapy for an injury and missing key games before the playoffs. Yet . . . if he hadn’t been injured, he’d never have met Lindsey Gerber.

  A knock on the door sent a jolt of adrenaline through him.

  “Nelson, you in there?”

  “Coming, Maddy.” He grabbed his jacket. Then he headed out the door and saw Maddy down the hall.

  She cast a glance over her shoulder, her gaze assessing.

  Nelson no longer limped, but he wasn’t walking as fast as he wanted to be. Hopefully the MRI would give everyone answers.

  Maddy had already started the car by the time he climbed in the passenger side.

  “Sorry, Coach called,” he said. It was the truth, but not the entire truth.

  “Yeah,” Maddy said, pulling out of the parking lot. “He called me too. Told me about the MRI he scheduled. I can drive you there.”

  “About that.” Nelson paused. “Can I drive myself?”

  Maddy threw him a sharp glance. “Taking Lindsey?”

  Might as well own up to it. “Yeah. My last MRI was a bit of a fiasco. I think having Lindsey there will help.”

  Maddy pursed her lips.

  Nelson wasn’t really in the mood to defend Lindsey again today; besides, as long as he was on the trajectory to full recovery as scheduled, could Coach or Maddy really complain? Nelson looked out the side window at the passing buildings of Main Street. When Maddy didn’t turn up the road that led to the ski resort, he said, “Where are we going?”

  “To the rec center,” Maddy said. “We’ll work in the weight room.”

  “All right.” They were back to business.

  Nevertheless, the hours dragged as he did the weight-lifting rotation, then swam several laps in the rec center pool. Finally, he went into a late-morning yoga class.

  “Helloooo,” the yoga instructor said, her lively gaze on Nelson. “I’m Leslie, and you are . . . ?”

  “Tyler Nelson.” He didn’t like the way the woman was ogling him. Sure, it happened. Frequently. And he didn’t always mind it.

  “Welcome, Tyler Nelson,” Leslie said with a broad smile.

  He mumbled a thanks and headed to the very back row and took an empty mat.

  More eyes followed him. The class was all women, with the exception of a very thin man.

  Where had Maddy gone? Had she taken a break?

  Nelson tried to think of good things, positive things, as Leslie led the class into a series of warm-up stretches. Which did feel nice, by the way. Nelson proceeded with caution, testing out the strength of his knee, but he felt nothing amiss.

  After the hour of yoga, Nelson made a quick escape, avoiding more questions from Leslie. He found Maddy in the lobby, reading a book on her Kindle.

  “How was the class?” she asked as he approached.

  “You ditched me,” Nelson said.

  Maddy tucked her Kindle into her bag. “I’m not the one in physical therapy. How’s the knee?”

  “Decent,” Nelson said. “But I’m done with that class.”

  Maddy raised her brows. “Oh?”

  “Yeah, let’s go,” Nelson said. “I need to get a shower in before the MRI so I don’t scare away the hospital staff.”

  Once back in his room, Nel
son hit the shower, then dressed quickly. In truth, his knee was aching more today than it had in the past three days. It worried him a bit, so maybe the MRI had been a good call by Coach.

  Nelson was running a few minutes late by the time he reached the law offices. Lindsey was perched on the edge of the porch step wearing a silky blue blouse, black slacks, and black high heels. Her dark hair fell about her shoulders.

  He parked and climbed out as she rose and walked toward the car.

  Seeing her and knowing that she was willing to come to the MRI with him made his pulse skip. He was grateful. Not only for her friendship but for who she was and how he felt when he was around her.

  “Hey,” Lindsey said, slowing her step.

  Nelson kept walking until he reached her. “You look beautiful.”

  “Trying to butter me up?” she asked with a smile. “I already said I would come.”

  Nelson grasped her hand, and her fingers curled around his. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, even though he wanted to kiss her more than that. “You smell good.”

  She slapped a hand on his chest. “You say that a lot.”

  He only smiled and tugged her hand. They walked to the car, and he opened the door for her. After she slid into the seat, he shut the door.

  When he slid into the driver’s side, she touched his arm and asked, “How are you feeling?”

  He loved how she so casually touched him. “Nervous,” he said. “But I’m glad you’re coming.”

  She squeezed his arm. “You’ll do fine.”

  At the next stop sign, he grasped her hand and linked their fingers. “Thanks again for coming, Lindsey, I mean it.”

  She met his gaze, and her blue eyes held his. “You’re welcome.”

  He felt her sincerity through his entire body.

  Lindsey had never seen a person go from a healthy tan to sheer paleness in a matter of seconds. Until Nelson.

  He’d kept a tight hold on her hand when they walked to the desk where they’d been directed. Nelson checked in, explaining who he was.

  “Will I have to wear one of those gowns?” he asked.

  “No sir,” the nurse said. “Your athletic shorts will give us plenty of access to your knee. You won’t even have to go all the way into the tube.” She looked down at the iPad she held. “It looks like you can’t have a Valium?”