Hannah holds my wrist just as I’m about to swing down. “Now stop and look at your arm.”
I turn my head to the side. My arm is now almost even with my shoulder.
“See how little it took to get your arm almost perpendicular to your body? You’re doing great, Nick.”
For the next thirty minutes, Hannah walks me through a series of exercises using a yellow band and a dowel that’s three feet long and as thick as a broom handle. By the end, my shoulder is throbbing.
“I want you to do these reps every day. You can lie on your bed if it’s not too soft, or use the floor. Whichever works for you. Any questions?”
“None that I can think of.” I start to sit up.
She rests her hand on my chest, sending a shock through me. “Stay there. Now comes the reward. Some heat.”
Even through the fabric of my shirt, her hand warms me like the sun in the middle of summer. She rolls over to the counter and opens what I thought was a small storage cabinet, pulls out a dark blue pad, and lays it on my shoulder. Warmth seeps into my muscles, making my eyes flutter shut as I sigh.
She muffles a giggle. “Yeah, that’s the good stuff, right?”
I can only nod as the tiredness from doing Turtle Patrol last night catches up to me.
She pats my forearm. “Just relax. I’ll be back soon.”
But I don’t want her to leave my side. “Hannah?”
She turns back around. “Yeah?”
“I didn’t mean to sound negative about your set-up. I’ve never heard of anyone doing something like this. You know, people and pets.”
She rewards me with a slow smile. “No worries, Nick. I know it’s a bit much to embrace, but you’re doing great.”
“Not bad for a first day?”
She shakes her head, making her curls bounce. “Better than expected.”
As her footsteps recede, I can feel myself drifting into a light doze. With the ocean sounds to keep me company, my mind runs wild, imagining myself back on the beach doing what I love.
But then something shifts in this semi-dream state, and it’s not only me on the beach anymore. Hannah’s there with me. The sun is setting, and she’s sliding her hands up my bare chest, tilting her face up to kiss me.
I lower my head, focused on her soft lips, imagining that first touch against mine. Every cell in my body lives for this moment.
The slam of a door and Graham’s voice slams me back to reality. “Nick.”
I jerk so hard, pain shoots through my shoulder, making me cringe and hiss a breath through my teeth.
“Sorry, man. Didn’t realize you were asleep.” Graham’s standing at the foot of the massage table.
Off to the side, Hannah has her arms crossed, one hip out, and a smirk on her face. “Like a bull in a china shop.”
Graham holds his hands out. “What? I said I was sorry.”
I cradle my shoulder as I sit up. “Honest mistake. Don’t worry about it, Aquaman.”
Hannah’s next to me in a flash, helping me sit up as she gently prods the muscles at the base of my neck. “Most likely a muscle spasm when you jerked. Does that feel better?”
Thanks to her expertise, the muscle releases. I stifle a groan as she moves gentle hands down to my shoulder blade. Her touch alone seems to have a relaxing effect on me. “Yeah, that definitely helps.”
The door opens again, and a woman with a Great Dane the size of a horse walks in. “Oh, sorry. Am I early?”
Hannah strides over, taking her magical hands with her. “No, Mrs. Kimble. We’re just finishing up. I’ll take The General and get him started in the tank.”
