“I want you to shrug your shoulders for me,” he said in a serene voice, still massaging a minute later. He waited. Nick moaned but complied, then Daniel rubbed more.
As he manipulated the muscles, Keela bit her lower lip and held her breath. She was waiting for the dramatic shoulder reduction, imagining Daniel suddenly jumping up and performing some crazy maneuver to spontaneously fix the dislocation.
“Shrug again for me,” he said, followed by more massaging and some minor pressing of his wrist on the patient’s forearm. And more rubbing of the biceps and scapular areas. “And there you go.”
Wait, what? The athlete’s shoulder suddenly looked level with the other one. Where was the scream and loud pop she’d anticipated? The crazy jujitsu maneuver?
“That’s it?” the kid asked incredulously.
“You’re back in place.”
“Whoa. How’d you do that?” Nick asked, gingerly shrugging again, to check.
Yeah, how had he done it?
“It’s called the Cunningham maneuver. No need for drugs or extra ER time. Just knowing how and where to massage.”
Keela made a mental note to look that one up later. On reflex she jumped into action, putting another ice pack on Nick’s shoulder and placing the new sling she’d had opened and ready before the patient ever arrived. She looked the teen in the eyes to make sure everything was okay, and he winked at her. Typical jock, all fixed and ready to go.
Daniel invited the assistant coach into the procedure room, then recited a litany of things the patient would need to do over the next few hours, days and weeks to make sure all would be well.
“I’ll get the follow-up instructions sheet for him.” She started for the supply room. “No X-ray?”
“We probably should. Get an anterior and posterior of the left shoulder just to make sure everything’s fine.” Daniel rubbed the kid’s other shoulder, like an old friend congratulating him. “The bad news is you’ll need to wear this sling for several weeks and you’ll be on the bench the rest of the summer.” He glanced at the coach, then knelt again and gave Nick a truly sympathetic look. “If all goes well, you’ll be back in uniform for the first game.”
He had Nick’s total confidence, and Keela wished she could trust Daniel as easily. But until he was ready to move forward with whatever it was they had, she’d have to hold on to hope.
Seeing how Daniel interacted with the junior college jock once again proved he was good with kids of all ages. Another star for his collar. Keela wished he understood what a natural he was with Anna, too. That was the biggest part of being a parent, knowing how to relate to kids, not treating them like little adults. Kids really were different creatures, and Daniel instinctively knew that.
She’d bet he probably considered what he’d just done for Nick—winning his confidence, keeping him calm—as nothing more than a doctor’s bedside manner.
Heat warmed her cheeks at the thought of his bedside manner. Well, he’d certainly proved his talent in that department with her, too. Inside the bed.
* * *
As the week went on, Keela liked how working together was regimented and safe, if nothing more. They knew this routine well. She got to see Daniel every day and secretly watch him—how he treated his patients, and Abby... How considerate he was of Keela herself, even though he’d dialed everything back to “pre-sex” times. Then she’d go home and process her feelings.
Which were growing, despite her attempts to be cautious. A good man was a good man; it couldn’t be denied. And she’d love to explore where that might lead with Daniel. She strongly suspected he didn’t do casual relationships, either. Now that she was beginning to understand how she felt about him, what the possibilities might be, it was still up to him to decide whether he could be all in or forever stay her boss.
As she’d realized the other night in bed, after he’d left, it was up to Daniel to figure things out. As for her, she’d been adding daily to her already long list of his good qualities, and she grew more confident every day regarding how she felt about him. Scary as that was.
Thursday noontime, Keela ran late with the postsurgical rotator cuff and shoulder repair rehab class, in part thanks to Mrs. Haverhill’s endless questions. Keela finally escorted the group of eight to the door, the older woman hanging back, with concern wrinkling her already wrinkled brows.
“Is it because of my age that I don’t seem to be improving as fast as everyone else?”
Keela stopped and smiled as sincerely as she knew how. “Be diligent with the exercises. Don’t give up. It’s not a competition, it’s rehab. Your rehab.” She gently gripped the lady’s unaffected arm. “You’re doing great. Honestly.” For a woman your age.
It seemed to do the trick and Mrs. Haverhill was soon on her way, but not before Keela smelled something delicious coming from the lunchroom. She followed her nose.
As if waiting for her, Daniel popped his head out the door. “Come take a break with us. I’ve ordered pizza.”
Abby was in the middle of taking a huge bite of her slice and looked nearly in heaven.
“We’ve been keeping crazy hours, and I just wanted to make sure everyone was getting lunch.” He handed Keela a can of soda, and she noticed it was the same kind they’d had at her house. The man was also astute. “There’s salad, too.”
“Thanks. Wow, the pizza smells great.”
“I noticed you’ve been skimping on your lunches this week.”
He was watching her, too? “Just trying to keep up with the schedule.” Yes, she’d been eating in her office while catching up on her computerized patient-care plans. She accepted the paper plate holding a super huge slice of cheese pizza with a smile. He smiled back and her heart fluttered like hummingbird wings, so she diverted the reaction by adding some salad to the plate.
“There’s pepperoni here, too, if you want.”
“That’s Anna’s favorite,” she said, just before devouring the tip of her pizza slice. Wow, it was good!
“Take a couple of pieces home for her. Tell her Dr. Dan sent them.”
“She’ll love that. Thanks. But you should call her.” He hadn’t yet phoned to thank Anna for the special card she had made for him, and Keela knew how much a call would mean to a little girl in search of a father figure. “She asks about you every day.”
He paused, his own slice of pizza half-eaten, and glanced at her thoughtfully. “Tell her I’ll be in touch soon, okay?”
Keela nodded, wondering if he was talking in code. Oh, how low she’d slumped because of his inaction, forced to imagine and hope that Daniel would see the light.
She stuffed another huge bite in her mouth and chewed, wishing she didn’t care so much.
“You know what? Give me Mrs. Jenkins’s number and I’ll call her right now.”
Had he read her mind? Encouraged, Keela reeled off the phone number.
“Hi, this is Dr. Dan. Is Anna there?” He waited a few seconds. “Hey, squirt! I wanted to tell you how much I love your drawing.”
Keela could hear Anna’s squeal all the way across the lunchroom table.
“Yes, you did a great job.” He paused and listened. “Okay, I’ll quit calling you squirt, squirt. Oops.”
Keela heard the loud giggles, and it made her smile, too.
“What’s that?” He paused again. “Well, how about you call me Oh Danny Boy, then.” Another pause. “Okay, then Dr. Dan it is. Listen, squirt, my pizza is getting cold.” He glanced at Keela and winked. “Yup, Mom’s bringing you some for your dinner. Okay. Talk later, and thanks again for my beautiful picture.”
After that, the three of them sat companionably, chowing down on thin-crust pizza and salad with contented smiles, and Keela continued to hope the group meal was a prologue for more. But when they’d all finished, Daniel helped clean up before dashing out to see more patients. She went home tha
t night remembering their shared smile earlier, and deciding that would have to do until the man learned how to seize the day.
On Friday, she finished the week without as much as an offer of an after-work call or an invitation for a kiss, dashing all hope for an actual date. Man, the guy didn’t have a clue how to make plans with a woman. Or maybe he simply didn’t want to. That hurt. And it took extra energy to hold her head high when she left the clinic for the weekend.
* * *
With each passing day, and especially by Friday, Daniel had seen the usual lively glow fade from Keela’s eyes. She may as well have socked him in the gut for the way it made him feel. Being paralyzed in the old rut of love hurts was a bitch, and he hated being stuck there. Yet he still was. Kathryn had done a number on him, all right.
The college dominated the clinic schedule, and he had regular clients he had to see on top of that, not to mention the occasional emergency. The nonstop pace would continue the rest of the summer, too. Good for work and bad for new relationships. It was just the way it was for now. Or was that a handy excuse?
Every day ended with Daniel exhausted and ready to crash. Yet at night he thought about Keela. About holding her in his arms. Especially remembering that moment when he’d entered her, how good they were together, how receptive and great she’d felt. They’d quickly figured out what turned each other on, and they naturally seemed to belong together. So why was he keeping her at arm’s length?
Because it was better this way than making promises he couldn’t keep. Imagining disappointment on Anna’s face if he didn’t follow through—and the more concealed hurt in Keela’s eyes—would make him feel like a total heel. He might be annoyingly slow when it came to taking things to a new level with Keela, but better to be annoying than to be an ass like her ex.
Friday night Daniel sat in his office staring at his computer. His father had once taught him a way to help make a decision. The old “fold a piece of paper in two” approach, and writing down the pros and cons of the issue in each column. He forced himself to do it now and was surprised to see the excuses he tried to pass off as reasons to not get involved with Keela. Pathetic.
Was he going to let Kathryn continue to rule and ruin his life? Would the heartbreaking loss of Emma keep him from ever opening his heart to another kid? That revelation assured a long and boring life. Put that way, in writing, his taking the safe route seemed nothing short of cowardly and stupid. And risky, if Keela got fed up waiting and lost interest in him while he dragged his feet. He didn’t want to lose her.
He finished up some bookkeeping, wishing things were different. Yes, business was booming—he couldn’t be happier about that. But a guy needed balance in his life, and after making his list, he knew who he wanted that balance with. He needed to face the fact that Keela was a wonderful woman and he’d fallen for her. And since she’d managed to pry open his heart again, shouldn’t he give whatever it was they had a chance?
Once and for all, Daniel needed to figure out if Anna was a complication or a gift. The way he enjoyed himself around her partly answered his question, a gift, but the strained relationship with her natural father was the part he kept getting hung up on. The guy was unpredictable and could become a huge problem, a definite complication.
Having had enough personal debates for the night, he turned off his computer and packed up, heading out for the Friday football scrimmage at the 4Cs, with his mind as jumbled as ever.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” his grandda always said.
But life never seemed that simple. Daniel needed someone to talk to who didn’t believe in fate and selkies and platitudes to solve all life’s problems. He needed the man he’d looked up to all his life. His best and favorite mentor. His father.
As he got into his car, he sent a quick text. Going to 4Cs football game. Join me?
Chapter Eight
Keela arrived home Friday night to a blinking light on her answering machine. It was a message from Ron. Hey, I was away last weekend and obviously I missed Anna’s big day. Call me. I want to take her to Disneyland. I’ll bring her home Sunday night.
Away, my arse. Earlier that week she’d posted a couple photos on Facebook of Anna, Daniel and her wearing the silly birthday hats. One with Anna mastering the party blowout, and Daniel right there beside her, grinning, was particularly cute. They’d spent several minutes blowing the party favors into each other’s faces to see who could keep from flinching. The memory made her smile, even though she was listening to a lame message from Ron. He probably had seen the photos and this belated trip was more about someone moving in on his territory than making up for a missed birthday. Keela had become cynical since divorcing Ron, but she adjusted her negative thoughts for her daughter’s sake. The man wanted to take her somewhere, and Anna had always wanted to go to Disneyland.
After giving herself a stern talking-to, and a reminder not to back down, she returned the call. Since the divorce, she’d been developing her spine. “You realize she’s still wearing a cast and probably won’t be able to go on a lot of the rides, right? Oh, and you might need to use a wheelchair if she gets tired from walking on crutches around such a big place. You still want to take her?”
“Uh, good point. Maybe next year. Let me talk to her, though.”
Yeah, she’d become cynical for a reason. Thanks, Ron.
When Anna hung up, she was all excited about “Daddy” taking her out to lunch on Saturday. Keela hoped and prayed he wouldn’t let her down yet again. She’d lined up a few more massages for Saturday and wouldn’t be around to console Anna if her father stood her up.
Going to bed early with an uneasy feeling, she thought about Daniel wearing that silly hat. How he’d insisted they all have a piece of each birthday cake, which meant double ice cream servings, which tickled her daughter to no end. It was also an obvious and noble attempt not to leave Keela and her humble birthday baking efforts outclassed by the flashier cake.
Remembering the sensitive gesture put a smile on her face, and she fell asleep to pleasant dreams. Daniel was one of the good guys, a Kristoff. Ron was a Hans.
* * *
The fatal flaw in Daniel’s big plan to watch the football scrimmage together that Friday night was not planning on his dad bringing Grandda. Devoted to his father, Sean Delaney spent as much time as possible with him. Because, as he’d told Daniel many times over the last couple years, who knew how much longer Da would be around.
So Daniel watched the game sitting in a secluded section of bleachers with his father and grandfather and tried not to let on he had something major on his mind.
“Do they sell those corn chips and chili thingies here?” Grandda asked after a few plays. In all his years in the United States, he’d never warmed to football, still preferring soccer, or better yet, rugby. No wonder his mind was wandering.
“You mean Gut Busters? Yeah,” Daniel said. “Probably their biggest seller. Didn’t it give you indigestion the last time you had one?”
“Well, it all goes for a good cause, right? I can always take an antacid later.”
“Da, if you’re going to the snack bar, could you bring me a frozen lemonade?” Sean asked.
He gave an assured nod. “Daniel? Bring you anything?”
“I’m good. Thanks.” Not really.
Off went Padraig Delaney, using his golf club as a cane, down the bleachers and across the football field with a noticeable jaunt to his step, in search of something to upset his stomach.
Thanks to the warm evening, they sat in short-sleeved shirts high up in the bleachers, a view of the ocean off in the distance. The outside grill overpowered the scent of the sea with greasy hot dogs and hamburgers.
Daniel hoped his physical medicine services wouldn’t be needed much tonight, so he could at least enjoy the time with his dad and grandfather. But mostly he hoped to talk to his father.
Daniel smiled and scratched the back of his neck. He had something on his mind, and now was his chance. “How did you know Mom was the right woman for you?”
His father gave him a curious glance before taking a few seconds to think. “That was easy. She was genuinely sweet and good—not to mention great looking—and she put up with my stubbornness. Still does. I could trust her. But the biggest reason was we had that special something. I could see it in her eyes and she saw it in mine.” He stared toward the ocean for a moment. “And to this day, that spark is still there for both of us.”
Yeah, that bordered on TMI, but Daniel had asked, so he couldn’t very well plug his ears and sing la la la.
“I’ve never for a second regretted spending my life with your mother.”
Though short and to the point, his words said it all. Daniel took out his list and stared at it. Honest. Trustworthy. Supportive. A good listener. Great looking. Easy to be around. She accepted who he was. He hadn’t written the next part down but thought deeply about it. making love had never been so hot or easy, and it was only the first time. Imagine what that could grow into?
And that “spark” part his dad had mentioned? Well, Daniel had certainly seen it in Keela’s eyes when they’d made love, and again when he’d handed her the pizza yesterday. After he’d talked to Anna on the cell phone, Keela had given him that look again. Surely she’d seen that spark from him, too. He’d felt a special zing that went haywire the moment their eyes had made contact. Come to think of it, he’d first noticed that look the day they’d gone out to lunch for Chinese food. Had he ever seen it with Kathryn? He couldn’t recall.
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