On the Mend (Carolina Waves Series Book 1)

by Tina Gallagher

  “Daddy!” she shrieked. “You know they don’t have clothes for you at Connie’s.”

  “Well, maybe they’ll have one somewhere else,” I said, making Lexi laugh. Turning my attention to Sabrina, I said, “How much do I owe you?”

  She frowned and shook her head. “Oh no, it’s my treat.” She smiled at Lexi. “To thank Lexi for keeping me company today.”

  “Did you thank Sabrina?” I asked my daughter, who nodded.

  “She did,” Sabrina said. “I’m going to lay down for a little while. She tired me out. See you at six?”

  I nodded. “Six.”

  Sabrina’s shoes clicked on the floors, then the stairs, before being muffled in the carpet as she reached the second floor. I turned my attention back to Lexi.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “No, I’m still full. We had pizza.”

  “Well, I have a couple hours until therapy. What would you like to do?”

  “Can we color?”

  “Sure. Go grab your books.”

  Lexi scrambled around collecting her crayon box and coloring books, and returned, throwing everything on the coffee table. She handed me the superhero book and grabbed the Disney princess one for herself and sat on the floor across from me.

  “What did you do when I was gone?” she asked, then picked up a purple crayon.

  “Not much. I watched TV then fell asleep.”

  She paused in her coloring. “Did your leg hurt?”

  Lexi has been acting like a mother hen since my accident. It’s kind of adorable, but I don’t want her to worry.

  “No, I was just bored.”

  “Maybe you can come with us next time.”

  “Maybe.”

  She finished coloring the petals of a flower purple and reached into the container for a green crayon.

  “Maybe you and Sabrina can go to the mall sometime just together,” she said. “Or out to dinner or something.”

  The red crayon I’d been using to color Spiderman’s costume snapped in my hand. Lexi finished coloring the stem and leaf of the purple flower green and glanced at me. The innocent look she didn’t quite pull off couldn’t hide the hope in her eyes.

  It’s official…I definitely won’t be the only one with a broken heart if Sabrina leaves.

  20

  Sabrina

  I got myself together for Dan’s second therapy session of the day. The trip to the mall really helped my mental state. Now I understand why some women find shopping therapeutic. And, while it cleared my head, I also ended up with a few bargains in the process. I’d say that’s better than sitting in a shrink’s office any day.

  Dan finished the last of his leg raises and looked at me expectantly. The therapy session has been unusually quiet. Apparently, he’s not speaking to me because, aside from an occasional “okay” Dan hasn’t said a word.

  “How does it feel?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “Okay.”

  I resisted the urge to scream, and just to give him something else to say, I decided to test his pain level. Grabbing his foot, I asked, “One to ten?”

  “Four.”

  We’d done this exercise enough that he knew what to expect. I moved his leg in a series of motions and got his feedback on each one.

  “Well,” I said as I walked to the freezer and retrieved an ice cup. “It’s definitely getting better.” I knelt down next to him and moved the ice over his knee. “You didn’t go above a six, and that was only when I was really pushing you.”

  Dan didn’t comment, though I felt his eyes boring into the top of my head. I wanted to look right back at him and scream, “What?” but I don’t think I really want to know. Plus, after the way I acted this morning, I really can’t complain about anything. I finished icing his knee in silence.

  “Same time tomorrow?” I asked, eager to get away. When he didn’t answer, I looked over at him. Big mistake. His eyes were practically glowing, though not with the anger I had expected. I opened my mouth to pose the question again, but the words wouldn’t form. Even when Dan stood and walked toward me, I remained silent, my gaze locked on his.

  As he stood directly in front of me, Dan’s eyes darkened and for a minute I thought he was going to kiss me. He leaned forward slightly then stopped, his brow creasing into a frown. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, then rubbed his hand across his forehead before meeting my gaze again.

  “I want to thank you for taking Lexi shopping with you today,” he said, his voice husky. He cleared his throat and continued. “She talked about it for an hour and only stopped because I had to meet you for therapy.” A smile crossed his face. “I’m sure I’ll be hearing more about it when I get back upstairs.”

  “No need to thank me,” I said and looked away before I got hypnotized by his smile. “I had a great time.”

  “I don’t remember you being much of a shopper.”

  “I’m usually not.” I shrugged. “I was just in the mood.”

  He chuckled. “She told me she wants you to take her school shopping because you don’t hassle her.”

  “She did mention that you give her a hard time with fashion.”

  He nodded. “She says the clothes I pick out are babyish. But some of the things out there are so…” His brow furrowed as he searched for a word. “…small. There’s nothing to them. She’s eight years old for chrissake.”

  Dan looked so outraged I actually burst out laughing.

  “What?” he asked, around a scowl.

  “You’re right, she is only eight. What are you going to do when she’s eighteen?”

  He grasped his chest dramatically, then chuckled. “Don’t make me think about that.” His expression sobered. “I can’t believe how big she’s getting.” He held his hand up. “When she was born, she fit in the palm of my hand. I don’t know where the time went.”

  “I think every parent feels that way. Hell, my father still calls me his baby girl. I’ve been begging Kevin to have a baby so that I’m not the baby anymore.”

  “You’ll always be your dad’s baby girl.”

  “I suppose.” Wanting to get off the subject of myself, I added, “I’d love to be a fly on the wall the first time a boy knocks on your door.”

  “I’d better start practicing my scowls and dirty looks.”

  “I think you’re intimidating enough without them.”

  “Yeah?” He looked inordinately pleased.

  I nodded. “You’ll have them shaking in their boots.”

  “Good.”

  “Lexi’s a good kid. I’m sure you won’t have to worry about the boys she brings home.” He grunted. I took that to mean he didn’t believe it. “She really is great. I had a lot of fun today.” He didn’t say anything, so I decided to voice the thoughts that had been bouncing around my head all afternoon. “I’m sorry about what I said, Dan.” His right brow raised, though I’m sure he knew exactly what I was talking about. “I know you wouldn’t use Lexi for any reason. She means too much to you and you…” I took a deep breath, “…you’re too good for that.”

  “You really believe that?”

  I nodded. “And I don’t think you’re an asshole.”

  “No?” he asked on a chuckle.

  “Hey, it was your word, not mine.”

  “Yeah, it was.” His smile disappeared. “Thanks Bri, it means a lot.”

  Again I nodded, afraid I wouldn’t be able to speak around the lump that had formed in my throat. When we’re not fighting, I’m so drawn to Dan it scares the hell out of me. He must have sensed that because he backed off. Literally. I found myself missing his warmth, his closeness.

  “Are you going to be eating with us tonight?” he asked.

  “I guess so.”

  “I threw a pan of lasagna Mrs. Evans made before she left in the oven.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Good, I’ll see you then.”

  I watched him walk toward the stairs, then disappear. The professio
nal in me noticed how much better he was moving around, but the woman in me couldn’t help but admire his ass.

  It was then I realized how much trouble I was in. For some reason, despite all my reservations, despite everything, I’ve gone and fallen in love with Dan McMullen.

  Again.

  If I’d ever actually stopped.

  21

  Sabrina

  “Are you going home for the Fourth of July?” Dan asked during a therapy session, just two days before the holiday.

  We’ve been getting along remarkably well the past week. I can’t help but think it’s because I’ve finally resigned myself to the feelings I have for him. No amount of denial or bitchiness toward Dan is going to change them.

  Also, I have—per his request—attempted to judge him on who he is now instead of who he was then. And while I’m still not inclined to get romantically involved with him, I do admire who he’s become. His dedication to Lexi aside, he is truly a nice person. His charm notwithstanding, our personalities mesh well and I honestly enjoy being with him.

  So, for as long as this assignment lasts, and maybe even afterward, I’ll be his friend. I did, after all, make a promise to stay in contact with Lexi and, truth be told, I don’t think I could let her out of my life.

  Am I looking for trouble here? Probably.

  Will I get hurt? Most likely.

  Are either of those facts going to stop me? Definitely not.

  “Bri?” Dan said, and I realized he was waiting for an answer.

  I have no doubt in my mind that he knows I’m in love with him. I’ve tried to carefully school my features, limit the adoring looks, and hide my feelings, but that’s never stopped him from seeing right through me before. But just because I know, and he knows, doesn’t mean I have to act on anything.

  “Sabrina?” Dan said in a singsong voice. I looked at his amused face.

  Oh yeah, he knows.

  “What?” I’d forgotten the question.

  “Are you going home for the Fourth of July or are you staying here?”

  “I, uh, I haven’t really thought about it.” I added five pounds to the weight Dan was lifting. “Why?”

  “My family has decided to descend on me for the holiday so we’ll be having lots of festivities here.” Dan straightened his leg, lifting the weights, not seeming to notice the extra burden. Aside from the fact that he couldn’t straighten his knee completely, he didn’t seem to have a problem. “I’d like it if you’d stay.”

  I nearly blurted out, “you would?” in an utterly breathless, totally besotted voice, but managed to stop myself at the last second.

  When I didn’t answer, he added, “I know my family would love to see you.”

  “I’m not sure what I’m doing. My mom is probably having a something and I should go.” I took in a deep breath and let it out on a sigh. “But I don’t think I’m up to dealing with everyone right now.”

  “Everything all right?”

  “Everything is fine.” I shrugged. “You know how families are. They just got on my nerves last time I was there. Not my mom and dad, but all the aunts and uncles, and of course, the neighbors.” I didn’t add that the reason they all annoyed me was because they kept asking about him.

  “You don’t have to explain it to me,” he said around a chuckle. “My family invited themselves here for holiday. No ‘is it all right’ or ‘do you have plans,’ just ‘we’re coming, like it or not.’” He sat up on the weight bench and wiped his face with a towel. “I don’t really mind though,” he admitted. “And Lexi is really excited. We’re going for fireworks tomorrow.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “Sabrina, I really would like it if you’d stay.”

  His eyes pleading, his tone sincere.

  “I’ll let you know,” I said, fully intending to be anywhere but here for the holiday.

  Dan

  “I’m loading the cooler with steaks from Marty’s,” my mother said, referring to the butcher shop she’s shopped at as long as I can remember. “And I’ll bring the ingredients to make my potato salad.”

  “Mom, you know Mrs. Evans always has tons of food on hand, and there are grocery stores near my house if we need something. You don’t have to lug all that with you.”

  “It’s not the same.”

  “Suit yourself,” I said. “You’re bringing chocolate chip bars, right?”

  “Four batches.” I heard the smile in her voice.

  But seriously, my mom makes amazing chocolate chip bars.

  “I’ll have to grab a batch and hide it in my room,” I said. “Or maybe half a batch. I can’t get too out of shape.”

  My mother chuckled, then said, “Speaking of being in shape. How are things going with Sabrina?”

  “Good. My leg is feeling great, considering. I’ll definitely be one hundred percent for spring training next year.”

  “That’s wonderful, but not exactly what I was asking.”

  I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. “I don’t know, mom. There’s still something there, but I’m not sure if she’ll get over what I did back in college.”

  “Do you want me to talk to her?”

  “No,” I said quickly…too quickly. “Thank for the offer, though.”

  “Ok, but let me know if you change your mind.”

  “Things are pretty fragile between us. Right now, we’re getting along well and she’s comfortable with me. I think she still has feelings for me, but I know she doesn’t want to and she’s fighting it with everything she has.” I chuckled. “Which is a lot. She’s pretty tough.”

  “I have faith that it will all work out in the end. You two were so good together.”

  “Thanks. But don’t go too crazy trying to remind her of that when you’re here. I don’t

  want to freak her out too much.”

  “Ok honey. I promise I won’t push.”

  “Can you pass the word on to my sisters? You know how they can be.”

  “They just love you and want you to be happy.”

  “I know, but please ask them to control themselves this time.”

  “I will,” she promised. “If you need us to bring anything else let me know. Otherwise, we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Can’t wait,” I said. “Love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too, honey.”

  22

  Sabrina

  The McMullen family began to descend a few days later, and by nightfall, Dan’s house was bustling with activity. First to arrive was his older sister, Patti, her husband, Joe, and their three children.

  His younger sister, Megan, and her husband, Paul, were next. They didn’t have any children in tow, though Megan was carrying one in front.

  Dan’s mother, Maureen, soon followed with her “friend” Frank. Everyone seemed to be shocked by the man’s presence, but attempted to welcome him just the same. The girls and their husbands did anyway. I saw Dan glaring and snapped him out of it before anyone else noticed.

  Various aunts, uncles, and cousins arrived in dribs and drabs throughout the evening with the promise of more to follow the next morning. Dan’s father was absent and since there was no talk of him at all, I assumed he wouldn’t be coming.

  Mrs. Evans had been in her glory all day, cooking enough food to feed an army, which I suppose, wasn’t far from the amount of people at the house. The adults helped themselves to her home cooking, while the children ran wild through the house. Dan assured me they’d settle down once the novelty of seeing each other wore off, but I seriously doubt it. Not that they were bothering me. In fact, I enjoyed watching them, and Lexi looked so happy I got choked up.

  “So Sabrina,” Megan’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked at her and she patted the empty spot beside her on the sofa. “Come sit and fill me in on what you’ve been up to for the past ten years.”

  Megan and I had bonded the first time we met many years ago, but after I broke it off with Dan, it was just too painful to keep the friendship. We
kept in touch for a few months afterward, but I found it too difficult and stopped returning her calls and emails. She must have understood—either that or she got really pissed off—because eventually she stopped contacting me altogether.

  I complied with her request and settled in next to her. “Not much,” I answered. “Working mostly.”

  “Are you married? Any kids?”

  “No and no.”

  Megan looked poignantly at her mother, who had settled into the chair directly across from us.

  “You know,” Maureen said, “Dan didn’t even tell us you were here. We had to hear the news from Lexi.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t think my presence is newsworthy,” I said, hoping to sound cheeky, not bitchy.

  “Of course he does, honey.” Maureen leaned forward and patted my hand. “Which is why he didn’t tell us.”

  I had no idea what she meant by that, but decided to let the whole subject drop. My gaze dropped to Megan’s distended abdomen. “I guess I don’t have to ask what you’ve been up to. When are you due?”

  “September twenty-fifth.” Megan sighed and patted her round belly. “But hopefully I’ll go early. If I get any bigger, I swear I’m gonna bust.”

  Megan looked like she was going to bust, but I thought it would be rude to say so. While Dan is big, broad, and blond like his father, Megan and Patti are dark-haired and petite like their mother. At five foot seven, I tower over the three of them. I assume Megan’s belly looks so large because the rest of her is so small. And she is small. I don’t think she’s gained an ounce anywhere other than her stomach.

  “So are you seeing anyone special?” Dan’s mother asked.

  “No. No one special.” No one at all, but she doesn’t have to know that.

  Again, Megan and Maureen shared a look, which left no doubt in my mind as to where they wanted this conversation to go. Before I could excuse myself, Megan added, “Neither is Dan.”

  Okay, it’s definitely time to go.

  I scooted forward on the couch, but before I could stand, Megan placed her hand on my arm. “I’m sorry, Sabrina. I won’t do that again.” I must have looked doubtful, because she added, “I promise.”