by Mimi Milan
“Oooh. Are those for me?” The nurse, appearing to be in her early thirties and wearing a name badge that read Maryanne, gave him a coy smile.
Tanner chuckled. “Sorry to say they’re for a friend of mine. Actually, could you tell me what room she’s in? Eva Perez is the name.”
“Oh.” Was he mistaken… or had the nurse sounded slightly rejected? It was hard to tell with the smile she pasted on. “She’s in 209 with her fiancé.”
Tanner stilled. “I’m sorry. Come again?”
The nurse gave him a strange look. “I said she’s visiting with her fiancé in room two-oh-nine.”
Tanner stared down at the flowers. He felt his temperature slightly raise, a mixture of anger and embarrassment coursing through him.
She was engaged!
He mentally scolded himself. What was he even doing here? It wasn’t like Eva had contacted him, or had someone else do so for her. The only reason he even knew about the accident was because she never showed up for his therapy. So his mother drove him down to the coffee shop in search of her…
Because you don’t even know where she lives, ya big dummy!
Tanner lifted his free hand and ran it down his face, wishing he had never come. He was a complete fool for thinking Eva would be interested in someone like him. Why would she? Because they had sent a couple of texts; got along well during his therapy sessions? She was a nice girl just trying to finish her degree. Bottom line, he had read into things way more than he should have.
“Sir, are you alright?”
Tanner glanced up at the smiling nurse. He cleared his throat.
“Uh, yeah. Everything’s good.” He turned to leave then thought better of it. “Listen. Could you do me a favor, and please give these to Ms. Perez?”
The nurse picked up the vase. “I sure will. Is there anything else you would like?”
She winked, her smile holding a hint of suggestion. It had been a while since anyone had shown interest in him. At least, in that way. Tanner rejected the idea of pursuing the invitation, though. Looks could be deceiving. Besides, for as much as he didn’t want to admit it, there was no getting around the truth. He had fallen for Eva. And now to learn she was already spoken for? The facts were far too sobering.
He gave the nurse a brusque nod. “That’s all. Thanks.”
Tanner turned on his good leg, and limped towards the vending machines with silent resolve.
A strong cup of something was in tall order.
Chapter Eleven
“Son of a biscuit! Are you kidding me?”
Eva half smiled at Cathy’s colorful expression, then audibly sighed, sinking further into her living room sofa.
She had been in the hospital for two whole days so the doctors could monitor her. During that time a lot had come to pass. First, she learned that she did indeed have a concussion along with some whiplash that would require chiropractic care. Then she found out the vet had contacted her ex to pick up Hunter – which he had… and now he was refusing to return the dog. Add to that some strange reason Tanner wasn’t returning her calls or texts, and it was all enough to drive a woman insane!
She picked up her glass of Riesling. She didn’t usually drink until dinner time, but she was still off from work because of the accident, and Cathy had covered a short shift at the shelter. Opening a bottle of her favorite vintage was the hospitable thing to do. She gently swirled it before taking a swig.
“What am I going to do?” she asked.
Cathy sat down her own glass and stood with determination. She firmly planted a fist on each hip. “Well, first you’re going to get your dog back. Yes, ma’am, that’s right! Remember all the paperwork I gave you? You’re going to take it to the sheriff’s office and report Hunter’s theft. Then you’re going to make a drive by to talk to that boy of yours – find out why he dropped off flowers, then dropped off the face of the earth.”
She nodded her head for emphasis, up and down several times, and Eva laughed.
“You look like a bobble head doll.”
Cathy gave her a sheepish grin. “I know. I did that on purpose.” She sat back down beside Eva and picked up her own glass of wine. “Feel better now?”
Eva smiled. “A little. I guess if I’m really honest, I felt like I was kind of losing it. You know, being alone again and all.”
“Aw, you’re not alone, girl. You’ve got plenty of friends you can reach out to if you really wanted. If anything, you’ve got me.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry if I seemed ungrateful. I think it was the silence when I walked in here that really got to me.” Eva set her glass down and gingerly stood. “That’s all about to change right now, though.”
She stalked away from the living room, heading into the kitchen to a drawer where she kept all her important papers. She pulled it open, mentally reminding herself that she really did need to invest in a desk. Thankfully, everything was in order though. It only took a moment’s ruffle through the stack to find what she was looking for.
She turned back to the living room, waving the documents around.
“Between the date on my lease to show how long I’ve been apart from Bryan and my name as sole owner on the adoption papers, Hunter is bound to be back by the end of the day.”
“That’s the spirit.” Cathy cheered her on.
“And I know I won’t chicken out, because I’ll be bringing backup.”
“Amen, sister!” Cathy pumped a fist in the air. “Our boys in blue… er, green… brown? Well, whatever color deputies wear, they are some of the best. Always ready to protect and serve. Salud!”
Her friend lifted her glass. Eva bit back a smile. “That’s true, but that’s not what I was talking about. I’m going to bring Tanner with me.”
Cathy choked on her wine.
“You’re—”
“Yep!” Eva grinned. “The way I figure it, I have to talk to him anyway. There’s no more beating around the bush about it. Lying in that hospital really got me to thinking and I have decided that you’re right. He’s not really my patient because I’m not really a therapist yet. Add to that the fact that I’m not getting paid and it is only the clinic hours that actually go towards my degree. So I don’t see anything wrong with me putting my feelings out there. Besides, I can always help find him a licensed therapist if anything develops between us.”
“Exactly!”
The two women toasted Eva’s decision.
***
Tanner sat on the front porch, rubbing his leg right above the prosthetic. He had spent the past couple of days pushing himself harder than he ever had before. In fact, he doubted he had worked this hard even while on duty. Everyday there was a new challenge he tried to overcome – standing for a little longer, trying to walk short distances without a crutch for support. Sure, he had taken a fall or two in the process. Still, the progress he saw made the failures worth all the hard work. Not only was he well on his way to full independence, all the hard work took his mind off Eva.
Now why’d you go and do a thing like that?
Tanner sighed. No matter how many times he tried to redirect his thinking, his mind always returned to her. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to say he thought about Eva at least a dozen times a day – more whenever his phone pinged, signaling a text from her. He had read the first one, thanking him for the flowers and suggesting that it would be nice to see him. After that, he couldn’t read another one. He was afraid he’d actually cave in, and he didn’t want to do that. Not when she had a fiancé and all. That just would have been torturing himself. At the same time, he couldn’t bring himself to deleting the texts. So they remained on his phone, unread.
You’re doing it again.
Tanner chided himself. He had to stop thinking about her! Bracing the sides of his chair, he stood up, determined to find something – anything – that would be more productive than daydreaming about something that would never be. He turned to go back into the house when a dark sedan with tainted w
indows pulled into the driveway. He shielded his eyes from the sun, waiting for a face to place with the unfamiliar car. The driver’s side door popped open.
“Hey, there!” Eva called as she carefully exited the vehicle, looking like she was pained by the movement. She made her way to where he stood on the porch, thumbing back behind her to the new car. “Like my rental?”
Tanner tightened, the question hardly registering. He was a little unhinged to see her standing there. On the one hand, he was happy to find her up and about so soon after the accident. She looked as beautiful as the last time he’d seen her, too. A bronzed beauty gleaming in the sunlight—
He gave his head a firm shake and buried his hands in his pockets.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice as gruff as he felt.
Eva stilled, a look of confusion came across her face.
“What am I doing here?” She asked with a small, tight laugh. She met his challenge with one of her own. “Why haven’t you answered my calls, or at least my texts?”
He debated on how to respond, finally settling on the truth.
“I didn’t think it was such a good idea considering the situation.”
If she hadn’t looked baffled before, she definitely did now.
“I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean – ‘the situation.’ If you thought the accident made me incapable of doing my job, then you were mistaken. I might be a little sore and tired, but I’ll manage. You’re the one who actually has to do the exercises anyway.”
“That’s not what I was talking about.”
Tanner deliberated on what to say next, shifting a little to take weight off his injured leg. The movement caused Eva to look down. She stared for a moment then looked back up.
“You’re standing… without a crutch!”
Tanner smiled at her excitement. “Yeah, I wanted to surprise you when I stopped by the hospital. Although, I actually was still using one of the crutches to balance.”
“I’m so proud of you!”
She rushed over and threw her arms around him. He hesitated only a split second, then his hands instinctively lifted and wrapped around her. The familiar smell of almond butter wafted towards him. He gingerly laced his fingers through her long locks, unconsciously burying his face in her hair.
“You always smell so beautiful.”
“You too,” she whispered. “You smell like soap.”
He warmed under her hot breath as it brushed against his cheek. He smiled.
“That’s because you always seem to arrive right after I’ve taken a shower.” Tanner pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. “But thanks for waiting until I got dressed this time,” he teased.
A slight blush graced her cheeks.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t very gentlemanly of me.”
He apologized but the smile didn’t leave his face. That is, until he remembered the complication that existed. He arms suddenly dropped. He pulled completely away, burying his hands in his pockets once more.
“No. It wasn’t gentlemanly at all,” she said. “I suppose I’ll have to incorporate etiquette lessons in our therapy sessions.”
“I’m not so sure that would be a good idea.”
“Why? Think the work would be too demanding?”
“No, I—I don’t think you understand what I’m trying to say.”
He turned from her, thinking about how he could word it in a way that didn’t hurt her feelings, wishing the whole while that he didn’t have to send her away to begin with. But what other choice was there? He couldn’t be around her like this. It hurt to want her so much. There was no way he would be able to fake a friendship without tormenting himself. Best to just say it plain.
“I don’t want to continue the physical therapy.”
He knew it had come out harsher than he intended when her pretty mouth dropped open. Eva stared at him for a long moment, and then snapped her mouth shut.
“Oh, I see.” She grimaced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think I was being unprofessional, but maybe I was—”
“No,” he rushed in to reassure her. “It’s not that at all.”
The last thing he wanted was for her to doubt herself or her work because of him. It wasn’t her fault that he found her attractive. Of course, he didn’t want to admit to his feelings and make her even more uncomfortable. “It’s just that… well… look at me! I’m already mobile all on my own. I mean, sure, I fall now and then. A little gumption and practice will take care of that, though. Truth is, I don’t really need a therapist for that. So you don’t have to waste your time coming ‘round here anymore.”
There. It was said.
“Oh. Okay.” Eva lifted her chin and held out a hand. “Again, I really am proud of you.”
Tanner tenderly took her hand in his, a lump forming in his throat. He coughed to clear it.
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” he said.
She smiled, gave him a small nod, and released him.
“Bye,” she whispered.
Then he watched her slowly make her way back to her car.
***
Eva couldn’t get out of the driveway fast enough. She drove away from Tanner’s house, her breath slow and shallow for fear she would cry if she didn’t maintain complete control. She made it to the end of the road and pulled over, a flood of tears threatening to spill over. She laid her head on the steering wheel and cried.
How could she have been so ridiculous? She had thought he felt something for her – especially after receiving the roses he had sent. She thought maybe he was too reserved to come out and actually say how he felt, though. Now it was obvious just how wrong she had been. He didn’t feel the same way she did. If anything, he must have felt completely uncomfortable. That’s why he had gone so far as to cancel his physical therapy. She really was unprofessional!
Her head popped back up and she fiercely wiped away her tears. No, she would not cry over Tanner. Not right now anyway. There was still a mission to complete. She had to go to her ex’s and get Hunter back, and she couldn’t afford to go there with tears in her eyes. She needed to be strong right now – for Hunter’s sake.
And thenshe would have herself a good cry.
Chapter Twelve
“Come on, Hunter. Let’s go.”
Eva called the dog from his spot on the back patio of the Coffey Creek Café. Her boss, Phoebe, came rushing outside.
“Wait!” She called, waving a small bag. “He forgot his new present.”
Eva suppressed a smile as her employer knelt down beside the dog, and whipped out a large chew bone with an enthusiastic “Surprise!”
Eva laughed. “Thanks, Phoebe. I’m sure he’s going to love it as much as all the other gifts you’ve spoiled him with.”
Phoebe cradled Hunter’s big block head in both hands. “Oh, I know I’m guilty as charged. I can’t help it, though. Animals are so much more trustworthy than people.”
It was a strange comment to make, and Eva felt certain there was a story behind it. However, she didn’t feel it was appropriate to pry. She would wait until Phoebe decided to confide in her. Until then, she had no problem letting Hunter work his therapeutic magic.
Satisfied, Phoebe finally stood and waved them both goodbye. Eva opened the back door so Hunter could jump in and glanced around. She had the strange feeling of someone watching her. However, there was nothing to indicate anything amiss. Aside from the usual passerby – tourists and townsfolk who frequented the lakeside café – Eva and Hunter were alone. She chalked up the feeling to nervousness, placed the chew bone in front of the dog, and then climbed into her own seat. After buckling her seat belt, she looked at her rescue in the rearview mirror.
“All right, boy. Ready to go make some new friends?”
Hunter yawned as if bored by the idea, then laid his head down on top of the bone. Eva wished she could feel as calm and relaxed as the dog looked. Unfortunately, she was about to sail some uncharted waters.
“Ready, boy?”
The dog jumped out of the car and calmly sat as Eva attached his leash. Once he became fully trained, she might not need it as much. Until then, it didn’t bode well for a therapy dog to jump on people – especially those veterans who were still recovering from injuries. She looked up at the building for Veterans of Foreign Wars and questioned if she could even go in there. Would being in a place full of veterans – some of them that had been injured in combat – remind her too much of Tanner? There was only one way to find out.
Eva grabbed hold of the door handle and stepped inside.
***
“They serve beer here?”
The question elicited a loud laugh from Joshua Barrett – the man who had not only invited Tanner to the VFW, but also drove him the five odd miles to the canteen… without pay. And while that was pretty cool and all, the thing that really impressed Tanner was how everyone treated him the same as some average Joe off the streets. On first arrival, two other veterans offered to buy him his first drink. Then another joined their group to share war stories. Tanner didn’t feel quite up to the task of sharing all the gory details of what had happened while he was in Afghanistan, but just listening to everyone else talk really put him at ease. It was the kind of place where a guy like him could be comfortable wearing a pair of shorts… despite the fact that he had a prosthetic limb. In fact, being around other veterans made him realize that having a prosthetic didn’t mean it was the end of the world… just a little bit of a different one.