On the Mend (Carolina Waves Series Book 1)

by Tina Gallagher

  On the Mend

  Carolina Waves, Book 1

  Tina Gallagher

  Galsalla Press

  On the Mend

  Carolina Waves Series, Book 1

  By: Tina Gallagher

  Published by Galsalla Press

  Copyright © 2018

  Cover Design: Lydia Michaels

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.

  www.tinagallagherbooks.com

  Thank you to my husband, Anthony, for all his support and for being so understanding when I disappear for hours at a time into my writing world.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Untitled

  Prologue

  A gentle smile played on his lips as he stroked my cheek. “It’s like my father always said, there are girls you fuck, and girls you marry. You are definitely a girl you marry.”

  I blinked. Had he meant that to be flattering? Was that crap supposed to be a compliment? Because he looked quite pleased with himself.

  I’d found out Dan was screwing half of the females on campus, and that’s all he had to say for himself? After two years together? What happened to the guy I’d loved? The one I thought I knew so well?

  Until he’d shared his pathetic philosophy of women with me, I’d been hurt, near tears. Now he just pissed me off.

  “Honey.” Dan flashed his most charming smile and reached to take my hands in his. The smile disappeared when I jerked out of his grasp. “Don’t be like this. I love you. I want to marry you. That’s all that matters.”

  “You really believe that?” I asked.

  “Bri, I don’t know what to say.” Dan dragged his fingers through his hair. “Tell me what you want me to say.”

  “Say good-bye, Dan. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  1

  Sabrina

  I shuddered at the memory. Even though ten years have passed since Dan uttered those words, just thinking about the conversation raises my blood pressure.

  My supervisor must have been saying something while I was lost in the past, but I’ll be damned if I know what it was. Only her silence alerted me to the fact she was waiting for me to say something.

  “Could you repeat the question?”

  Jodi rolled her eyes. “You know the question.”

  “I don’t think I’m the right person for this job. Dan and I, we have a history.” I added the last bit of information reluctantly. Don’t get me wrong, I like Jodi, but she has a tendency to gossip.

  “Dan mentioned that. It’s one of the reasons he requested you.”

  “It is?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. Dan and I hadn’t parted on the best of terms. I can’t imagine our past relationship would give me any extra points in the Who gets to rehabilitate Dan McMullen? contest.

  “He’s seen you work.” Jodi sat forward and leaned her arms on her desk. “Granted, that was years ago, but it only stands to reason you’d get better with time.” I smiled in acceptance of her subtle compliment.

  “Isn’t there someone else available?”

  “Of course there is, but he asked for you. Personally, I might add.” The last few words were finished off with a saucy smirk that turned into a full-blown smile. “I’ve never spoken to a professional baseball player before, never mind a hot one like Dan.” She wriggled in her chair. “I get wet just thinking about it.”

  I’m not surprised by Jodi’s reaction to Dan. His good looks and charm have captivated the sternest of females…myself included.

  “What happened to his last therapist?” I asked.

  “They didn’t get along.” Jodi shrugged. “Personality conflict, I guess.”

  “Who was it?”

  “Tim Rawlins.”

  “He’s very good.”

  “Yes he is,” Jodi agreed. “But you and I both know that if a patient isn’t happy with his therapist, the whole thing is a waste of time. Dan wasn’t willing to work with, or for, Tim, but he sounds more than eager to cooperate with you.” Jodi leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. “So what do you say?”

  “I say no.”

  She looked shocked by my blunt refusal, but quickly composed herself. I didn’t like the look in her eyes. “I haven’t told you the best part of this whole thing.”

  Her cocky tone put me on full alert. “What’s that?”

  “If you do this, you’ll be made partner immediately following the assignment.”

  I don’t believe it. I’ve been working at the Meyers Rehabilitation Clinic since graduating from college, and my ultimate goal has been to someday become a partner. Now it seems that goal depends on this one assignment.

  “Why?”

  “You know why, Sabrina.”

  I did. In all the years I’ve been working at the clinic, this is the first time we’ve been approached by a big name athlete. While the patient load has nearly tripled in the past decade, said patients consist mostly of local high school and college athletes, and post-operative patients. A good word from Dan McMullen, All-Star center fielder for the Carolina Waves, would really put us on the map.

  “Just think. A few weeks out of your life for a partnership you’ve been working toward for nine years.”

  While I heard her words, my mind had already wandered back ten years. Back to one of the most humiliating nights of my life.

  I rubbed my temples and groaned. “No one else can do this?”

  “He wants you.”

  I thought of the partnership and groaned again. Why does my future depend upon Dan, of all people?

  “Do we have a file on him?”

  I didn’t have to ask how Dan had injured himself. The video of him crashing into the center field wall of First Allegiant Bank Stadium as he chased a home run ball had aired on all major sports channels as well as the local news. The fact that he’d made the catch must be somewhat soothing to his ego.

  Jodi waved a folder that had magically appeared in her right hand dramatically before handing it over.

  “Do they have X-rays?” I asked as I scanned through various doctors’ reports.

  “They have some, but I haven’t gotten them yet.”

  “Good. I’ll want to see them before we start. When’s he c
oming in?” I was still studying the pages in front of me, but Jodi’s silence made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. As I lifted my gaze to meet hers, she turned to face the window and mumbled a reply.

  “What was that?”

  Jodi cleared her throat. “We decided it’d be best if you went to Dan’s house for therapy instead of him coming here.”

  “We? Who we? Not me we.”

  “Think about it.” Jodi’s business mask was fully in place once again. “Most of our clients will know who Dan is and once word gets out that he’s here, people will be milling around like crazy. Not to mention the reporters. It would be a disaster to have him come here, and you know it.”

  “You have it all figured out, don’t you?”

  A smug smile crossed her lips. “It’s my job to take care of the little details.” She pointed to the items in my hand. “The directions to his house are on the back of the folder.”

  I flipped the folder over and had to agree with her statement. Jodi certainly knows how to dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s. The directions included mile markers, with street names and landmarks along the way. The precise description of the location of Dan’s house could have been used for a real estate listing.

  “Pack enough for a month or so.”

  “Pack?” I jerked my head up so fast, I nearly gave myself whiplash.

  Jodi held her ground. “You didn’t think we’d expect you to commute every day, did you?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “That’s a good two hours each way, and God knows how long it would take you with all the construction going on now.”

  Jodi’s patronizing tone nearly snapped my self-control.

  “There’s no reason for you to commute,” Jodi continued. “Dan has enough room and all the equipment you’ll need. And since you’ll be in residence, theoretically you can work on his therapy twenty-four-seven. Which is a good thing, because he’s really eager to get better.”

  “Twenty-four-seven?” I screeched. “Jodi, I have a life. I don’t want to be cooped up in a house with Dan McMullen.”

  “I said theoretically.” Jodi sighed. “It’s not like you’re going to be held prisoner.” She chuckled. “Hell, if I was thirty, blond, and had a body like yours, I’d volunteer for the assignment myself.” She sat back in her chair. “Think of it as a vacation. He has a pool, a hot tub, and acres of land. It’ll be like being at your own private spa.” Jodi paused for, what I’m sure was, dramatic effect. “By the time you come back, we’ll have the partnership papers drawn up and ready to sign.”

  “You expect me to agree to this?”

  “I believe you already have.” Her tone was more confident than the look in her eyes.

  “What about my other clients?”

  “All taken care of.” My angst must have been apparent because Jodi’s look softened. “Sabrina, you have nothing to worry about. Everything will work out. You’ll see.” She flashed a brilliant smile. “As you said yourself, I have everything figured out. Right?”

  I smiled sickly. “You seem to.”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to ask the answer lady how I was going to survive living under the same roof with Dan McMullen. But of course, I didn’t.

  Dan

  I checked the clock for the fifth time in as many minutes. When Jodi told me Sabrina would be arriving today, I’d assumed she meant sometime in the morning. That just proves the old saying about what happens when you assume.

  I still can’t believe that at some point today Sabrina Kelly and I will be in the same room together for the first time in ten years. My thoughts are scattering in so many directions, I’m not sure which one to focus on first. Not a day has gone by in the last decade that I haven’t thought about her, wanted to reach out to her. But it was never the right time. Or maybe I was just a coward.

  Busting my knee may keep me off the field this season, but it’s also given me the chance I need to get Sabrina into my life again. After my team-assigned therapist and I had a difference of opinion on my rehab, I grabbed the opportunity to contact the rehabilitation center Sabrina works for and set things in motion. Her manager, Jodi, was more than willing to do anything necessary to make me a client. Without getting into detail, I told her that Sabrina probably wouldn’t be happy with the assignment, but Jodi assured me she’d take care of everything.

  Maybe the fact that Sabrina agreed to do this means that she’s forgiven me. Or maybe it just means Jodi made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Either way, I’m going to do everything I can to make her mine again.

  2

  Sabrina

  At every exit I approached, it took all my willpower not to veer off, turn around, and head back home. But I’ve never backed down from a challenge in my life, and am not about to start now.

  I was repeating that last sentence in my head for at least the hundredth time as I turned my red CRV into the long driveway leading to Dan’s house.

  The driveway itself is impressive, with perfectly manicured lawns bordering either side. Massive trees scattered the acreage, and I looked around, digesting the beauty. I was doing just that when I spotted the immense stone and wood structure at the end of the driveway. My eyes lit on the old-fashioned front porch and traveled slowly across the entire house, taking in the two wings jutting out from the center building on either side. Two massive chimneys on each end of the structure told their own tale. Just the thought of curling up in front of a roaring fire with a good book eased some tension from my neck.

  Apparently someone had approached my car while I was admiring the house, because when I looked away from it, I was startled to find a person—a child no less—staring at me.

  “Hi.”

  “You’re finally here,” the little girl, who I figured to be eight or so, said.

  “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize Jodi gave you an exact time. I stopped for a burger on the way.”

  Truth be told, I stopped more out of a desire to delay my arrival than an absolute need for nourishment.

  “I’m sorry. Daddy always says I’m too impatient.”

  “No problem.” Realizing how ridiculous it was to be carrying on a conversation through my open window, I waved her back and stepped out of the car. Extending my hand, I said, “I’m Sabrina.”

  She pumped my hand enthusiastically. “I know. Sabrina Kelly. I’m Lexi.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Lexi.”

  I opened the back driver’s side door, reached in, and grabbed my backpack and oversized duffel bag in one swipe. Jodi assured me that Dan possessed all the equipment necessary for his therapy, so my personal belongings are all I have to contend with.

  “That all your stuff?” Lexi’s heart-shaped face tilted up, her light brown ringlets falling over her shoulders. It was then I noticed her amazing eyes. The unusual shade of green reminded me of the color of fresh sage.

  “This is it.”

  “How long you gonna be here?” Her nose scrunched up as she asked the question.

  I laughed. “Does that mean you think I have too much or not enough?”

  “I take that much for a one-night sleepover party.” She looked thoughtful. “But Daddy says I always pack way too much.”

  I’d almost done the same thing, but at the last minute I whittled it down to the bare necessities. I didn’t even allow myself to pack make-up. I usually only wear it on special occasions and this doesn’t qualify as one. I’m here to do a job, not to impress anyone. I made a point to remind myself to say that over and over in my head several times a day.

  I was doing just that when Lexi opened the large front door and led me into the house.

  “Hey munchkin.” A tall, brown-haired, athletically thin man leaned down and gave Lexi a quick peck on the cheek.

  I decided he must be the famous “Daddy.”

  “Sabrina’s here, so I brought her in,” Lexi said proudly.

  “Good job.” He stood to full height and extended his hand to me. “I’m Jeff Nealon.�
�

  Unnecessarily, I introduced myself. Lexi danced a jig next to me, looking like she was about to pee her pants.

  “Why don’t you go tell him Sabrina’s here?” Jeff suggested to Lexi.

  Apparently that’s what she’d been waiting for, because she took off full speed down the hallway, throwing an “okay” over her shoulder.

  “If I could bottle that energy and sell it, I’d make a fortune,” Jeff said, as he lovingly stared down the hallway Lexi had just vacated.

  “She’s a beautiful little girl, and so polite.”

  “Thank you for saying so.” Jeff faced me once again and reached his hands out for my bags. “Why don’t I show you to your room? Then I’ll give you the grand tour.”

  “Sounds good.”

  It wasn’t until I ascended the curved oak staircase that I noticed my surroundings. The golden walls looked cheerful, but not overpowering and perfectly complemented the dark wood of the foyer floor and stairs that were varnished to a high gloss. As we reached the top of the second floor, a thick, beige carpet muffled our footsteps. Before I knew it, Jeff had opened a door and stood aside gesturing for me to enter. “This is it.”

  I stepped inside and took in my surroundings. The burgundy carpet and taupe walls created the framework for a room that was neither masculine nor feminine, but would most likely appeal to anyone who occupied it. Paisley throw pillows offset the bold stripes of the comforter in the same dark tones.