by Amy Reece
“Well, we could have taken my Jeep. That’s what Cara’s been driving me around in. I sure hope I still remember how to drive when I finally get done with all these casts. It had to be my right leg.” He shook his head ruefully.
“I’m sure you will, Finn.” She got a rare glimpse of the frustration he kept hidden most of the time and her heart went out to him. “Hey, if you’re up to it after your appointment, would you want to stop and eat somewhere?” She tried for a casual tone, hoping he wouldn’t think she was trying to pressure him into taking her on a date.
“Absolutely! Great idea, Mel. I believe I promised to take you out for your first New Mexican food, and I know the perfect place.”
She couldn’t stop her smile. “Sure, but if you’re too tired from the doctor we can do it another time.”
“I’ll be fine. I just have to sit there while they cut off the cast.” He wheeled himself to the large car and Melanie was impressed by how efficiently he maneuvered himself out of his chair and into the backseat. She’d be lying if she didn’t admit to enjoying the play of muscles in his strong arms.
She followed his instructions for folding his wheelchair and hefted it into the trunk. Once at the clinic he’d directed her to, they reversed the process and she followed him inside, noting the lines of pain around his mouth and eyes. She would be glad, for his sake, when he was fully recovered. Once he’d checked in and they were sitting beside each other in the waiting room, he reached over and laid his hand gently on hers. It was incredibly warm and she was barely able to stop herself from turning her hand over and entwining their fingers.
“Thanks for doing this, Mel. I feel like such a burden on my family right now. It’s nice to give them a break.”
“I’m sure they don’t mind. I don’t either, you know. I’m happy to help, so feel free to call on me whenever.” She smiled at him, captivated by how he smiled at her in return, looking deeply into her eyes. When was the last time someone had taken the time to look at her like that? It felt incredibly good.
“I’m glad we finally met, Mel. I feel like I’ve known you for a lot longer than a week. I owe that silly cat big time for bringing us together.”
She had no idea how to reply and was relieved when the nurse stepped into the waiting room to call him back. Since she’d finished her work earlier, she’d left her laptop at home and brought her Kindle. Reading for pleasure was a luxury these days, so she used the time waiting for Finn to start a new book. She’d picked a good one, and was soon caught up in the adventure and romance. Patients came and went, but Finn had yet to reappear nearly two hours later. She was checking her watch every few minutes now, and had decided to ask the receptionist when the door to the waiting room opened and he finally appeared. He was walking—albeit with crutches—but the cast was gone, replaced by a boot apparatus encasing his broken ankle. He grinned at her across the waiting room and she shoved her Kindle in her bag and leaped up to meet him.
“What do you think?”
“I think you’re a lot taller than I expected.” She had to look up to meet his gaze. She’d known he would be tall based on the size of his brothers, but it was still a bit of a shock. He had to be at least six foot two. “How does it feel?”
“Amazing. You tend to take walking for granted until you can’t do it. They gave me a pain shot while they sawed off the cast, so I’m feeling pretty good right now. I hope you’re still up for a late lunch, because I’m starving.”
“Of course. You said you had a place in mind?” She held the door for him and adjusted her pace to his slower one. When they arrived at her car, she reached to open the passenger side door for him.
“I got it, Mel. I don’t need you to open doors for me anymore, okay? You’re messing with my masculinity.” He smiled, taking away any sting in his words.
“Sorry. Habit.”
“God, it’s good to ride in the front seat again. Makes me feel like a big boy.”
She laughed and started the car. He gave her the directions to the restaurant he’d chosen and sat back to apparently enjoy the drive. She cranked the air conditioner up, grateful it worked so well. The summer heat was intense, in the upper nineties today, with little to no humidity. It was so different from the climate she’d grown up with, as was the landscape. Everything here was brown, with only the occasional tree or scrub bush to break the monotony. She’d hated it at first, but found the desert southwest growing on her now.
“There’s certainly no shortage of Mexican restaurants in Albuquerque, but if you’ve really never been to one, El Patron is a good one for kitsch. If we’re lucky they’ll have the mariachis there this afternoon.”
“The what?”
“Mariachis. You know, musicians. Guitar, violins, trumpet, guitarrón? They sing too.”
“Sounds fun. Do you play an instrument?”
“Me? Nah. I never had time for band in school. Sports took all my spare time. You?”
She laughed self-consciously. “I played the flute. I even played in college for a while.”
“Really? That is a fascinating aspect of your life, Mel. Will you play for me sometime?”
“I’m trying to imagine anything more boring for you than sitting and listening to me squawk on my old flute.” She was actually quite good and still practiced occasionally, but couldn’t imagine playing for him.
“Oh, you’re quite wrong, Ms. Blythe. I think I’d find anything you do absolutely fascinating.” He reached for her hand as he said this, holding it lightly for the rest of the drive.
If he had any idea how it messed with her ability to even breathe normally, he would surely stop, fearing for his safety. I could get used to holding hands with him. I like it way too much.
***
Finn
He refused when she offered to drop him off at the door before parking her giant boat of a car. God, this woman needed to stop babying him! He wasn’t really annoyed; she was too cute and sweet for that. “Mel, just park the car.” When they got to the front door of the restaurant, he made sure to reach for it before her. “And I will open the damn door for my date. My mother raised me to be gentleman.” There. Let her deal with that. This was a date and she could damn well get used to it.
“And she did a wonderful job.” She walked past him. “For the most part.”
He chuckled at her sauciness and followed her. He gave his name to the hostess and took the small black pager she handed him, dropping it into his shirt pocket. “It’s about a twenty minute wait. This place is always busy. Let’s get a beer in the bar.” He suggested she find a table while he ordered them each a Dos Equis. “To walking, even with crutches.” He offered the toast as soon as the waitress dropped off the bottles.
She smiled at him and took a sip. “Congratulations, Finn. I know you worked hard to get out of that wheelchair.”
He tipped his beer toward her and then drank deeply. It was either that or lean across the small table and kiss her, which he knew would be rushing his fences. She was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time and he wasn’t about to let her get away. But how to do that without spooking her? She was skittish as a colt and he knew he needed to take it slowly. But why? What was behind it? Something in her past? Or simply her shy personality? The pager went off a few minutes later and he allowed her to carry his beer to their table; a major drawback of crutches was no free hands.
Chips and salsa appeared nearly as soon as they were seated. “You want a margarita?” Finn offered as the waitress took their drink orders.
“Oh, no thanks. I’m driving, so one beer is all I get. You just got out of a wheelchair, so let’s not court a car wreck on the way home. But you go ahead and order one for yourself.”
“Why, you wouldn’t be trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me, would you, Ms. Blythe?” He loved the blush that crept across her cheeks at his teasing.
“That certainly doesn’t sound like me,” she muttered as she glanced at the menu.
He let it go, although he wanted to tell her she could take advantage of him any time she wanted. “So, what looks good?”
“I have no idea. My experience with Mexican food up until now has been limited to Taco Bell and Chipotle. Maybe you should order for me.”
He laughed. “Okay. You want the chile on the side or can you handle a little heat?”
“I can handle a little heat.” She fairly bristled as she spoke.
“Good to know.” He attempted a smoldering look, but ruined it by laughing when she raised her eyebrows in surprise. She laughed with him, burying her face in her napkin when she snorted. Oh, God, he was falling for her. Too fast! Slow down, idiot! The waitress came back for their orders and he chose a combination plate for her and enchiladas for himself.
“What’s Christmas?” she asked as the waitress left.
“It means both red and green chile.” He had ordered it for her combo platter. “You should try them both to see which you like better.”
“But you just ordered red?”
“Yeah. It’s my favorite.” He shrugged and took another pull at his beer. He watched as she tried the salsa, impressed when she went back for more; it packed a spicy punch today.
“So, you’ve met most of my family, except my parents. What about your family? Do they still live in Chicago?”
She shook her head as she took a sip of her water. “No. I’m from a very small town south of Chicago called Mendota. My mom still lives there. My dad was military; he died in the Gulf War. I never knew him. My mom got pregnant on his last leave and I was born eight months after he died. He never even knew she was pregnant.”
“God, Mel. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay. It was a long time ago. When I was fifteen, Mom remarried a guy with four younger kids. She’s happy.” She shrugged.
Finn recognized a world of unspoken hurt in her simple statement: a lonely teenager whose mother remarried and acquired a new family and had little time for her older daughter. He reached across the table for her hand, picking it up and kissing the backs of her fingers. “Well, I’m really, really glad you found your way to Albuquerque.” He was grateful when she didn’t pull her hand away immediately. Progress.
Their dinners were delivered and he allowed her to reclaim her hand so she could eat. She seemed to enjoy hers, eating almost half of the food on the huge platter. He asked the waitress to bring her a box.
“I hope you saved room for a sopaipilla.”
“A what?”
“You really have been living under a rock since you moved here, huh? Sopaipillas are delicious little pillows of deep fried dough. You tear the corner off and pour honey inside.”
“They sound really healthy.”
He laughed. “Oh, there’s not much about Mexican food that’s healthy. Sometimes you just gotta go with it.” The box and a basket of piping hot sopaipillas were delivered. She enjoyed hers, licking a drop of honey from her lip, making him nearly swallow his tongue. If I don’t kiss her soon, I’m going to go crazy. Instead, he reached for a sopaipilla and busied himself adding honey and eating it.
They finally wrapped up their meal and Finn paid the check. He was glad she didn’t try to pay for half; this was a date and he wanted her to know it. It was late afternoon when they left the restaurant as he checked the time on his phone, noting a series of texts from his mother. Crap. I got so distracted by Mel I forgot about my mom. “I need to make a phone call real quick, Mel. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I’ll go get the car.”
He caught her hand as she started toward the parking lot. “I didn’t mean for you to leave. I need to call my mom. She’s sent me a bunch of texts, probably freaking out because I forgot to let her know how the doctor’s appointment went. Let’s go sit on that bench.” He led her to the bench by the fountain and pressed the button to call his mom.
She answered on the first ring. “Finn? What happened? Did you get your cast off? Are you all right?”
Guilt swamped him at the worry in her voice. “I’m fine. The cast is off and I’m hobbling tolerably well on crutches. I’m really sorry I forgot to call. I got, uh, distracted.” He flashed a guilty smile at Mel.
“Oh, Finn! I was worried sick! Are you with your brothers? If you all are sitting around watching sports and drinking—”
“No, Mom. I’m actually on a date, so I need to go.” He knew that would shut her up.
“Oh. Well, that’s all right then. Who is the lucky girl?”
He smiled; his mother was obsessed with seeing her children, the older ones at least, married off. “Her name is Melanie.” He took her hand as he said her name.
“Is she your neighbor? The one with the cat?”
“That’s the one.”
“Oh, wonderful! Cara and Izzy told me all about her. I’ll let you go, but you’re coming Sunday for dinner, aren’t you? Bring Melanie.”
“I’ll ask her. Maybe she can give me a ride. I still won’t be able to drive for a few more months. Gotta go, Mom. Love you and Dad. Bye.” He slipped the phone in his pocket and turned to Mel. “So, how about it? Will you go with me Sunday for dinner at my parents’?”
“Of course. I’m happy to give you a ride.” She stared down at her lap.
What had happened to make her doubt herself? With any other woman, he might assume she wasn’t interested, but she was sending unmistakable signals of interest. He reminded himself he needed to tread carefully, but he had a strong feeling she would be worth it. “Mel.” He intertwined his fingers with hers. “I can get a ride with any of my brothers or sisters. I want you to go with me. I want to introduce you to my parents.” He picked her hand up and kissed the backs of her fingers. “This is a date, Mel. I want you to know that, and I want there to be others, better ones that don’t start with a doctor’s visit.” He smiled as he let go of her hand and reached for her face, brushing her silky brown hair behind her ear, caressing her cheek along the way. “I need to know if you want that too.”
She looked up at him with those big brown eyes, uncertainty shining through. “You do?”
He smiled gently, but wondered if he’d ever understand her. She didn’t seem to have a coquettish bone in her body. He rubbed his thumb across her lips lightly, then, because he simply couldn’t help himself, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. He pulled back almost immediately; their first real kiss wouldn’t be in such a public place. “I absolutely do. You haven’t answered my question. Will you go out with me again, Mel?”
She placed her hand over his against her cheek and nodded. “I want to, Finn. But I’m scared.”
“Of me?”
She shook her head. “Of me.”
“Mel.” His heart squeezed at the pain evident on her face. He wanted to ask questions, but this wasn’t the place. “Give me a chance. Give us a chance.”
She stared at him for an eternal moment. “Yes.”
He grinned; he couldn’t help it. Then he leaned in for another soft kiss; her lips were the best thing he’d ever tasted and he was determined to have more. “We’re going to be good together, Mel.”
“How can you be sure? I’ve never been good with anyone.”
“Trust me.”
Chapter Eight
Melanie
Finn was silent on the drive home, but he held her hand on the seat between them, rubbing his thumb along her fingers. She stole frequent glances at him while trying to force herself to keep her eyes on the road. He wants to date me. How did this happen? It’s like I’m living in a dream. She knew it probably wouldn’t last long; he’d soon discover she wasn’t exciting enough or beautiful enough and move on. But that tiny seed of hope still lived inside her—deep inside—and she wanted to believe it could work out.
“Do you want me to drop you off at your house? You must be exhausted.”
He laughed softly and squeezed her hand. “I am, but I’m not ready to end our day. I was kind of hoping to relax on the cou
ch with you. We could watch a movie or something.”
“That sounds nice. But you have to promise to kick me out when you’re tired, okay?”
“I promise, Mel. But don’t go if I fall asleep during the movie, okay? It doesn’t mean I want you to leave. I may not be a very exciting date for a while, but I’ll make it up to you if you stick around.”
She decided not to tell him simply looking at him excited her. She parked in his driveway and walked with him to the door. “I’m going to run down and get Fluff. I hate to leave him alone all afternoon.” She fetched the dog and grabbed a bottle of wine as an afterthought. She checked suddenly as she chose the merlot from her pantry, her stomach clenching as she tripped over a potato rolling loose on the floor. She looked down and saw the five pounds of potatoes had been spilled out of the plastic bin she kept them in. Calm down! It could easily have been CJ nosing around in the pantry. She swallowed the bile in her throat and convinced herself that’s what had happened. She wouldn’t mention it to Finn; he’d probably insist on coming down and checking her house. It was almost certainly the cat that had spilled them.
She let herself into Finn’s house through the kitchen door and set Fluff down so she could rummage through the cabinets for wine glasses. She came up empty and had to settle for mismatched tumblers, but she did find a corkscrew. Fluff had made himself comfortable on Finn’s lap, and Finn had removed his boot and had his ace bandage-wrapped ankle propped on the table, resting on a pillow.
“I couldn’t find your stemware.” She handed him a glass of the merlot.
“If that means wine glasses, it’s because I don’t have any. I’m usually a beer drinker.” He took a sip. “But I could be persuaded to drink more wine. This is good.”
She smiled over the top of her glass. “So what are we watching?”
“Whatever you want.” He handed her the remote. “Choose something.”
She took it, looked at it, then handed it back, laughing. “Too many buttons for me. You pick. Nothing too scary. I want to be able to sleep tonight.”