“Ooh, can we add a hike or mountain bike ride after dinner? I have to get out into these mountains and this magical scenery.” She gestured excitedly, but then she bit at her lip and looked at the water. “Nothing intense. I’m not in the kind of shape you’re in, and I usually walk on a treadmill and bike on a spin bike.”
“You look like you’re in fabulous shape.” He liked that she biked, walked, and lifted weights.
“Thank you.” She glanced away. “I go to weight training therapy every morning and I chase children around and bounce babies all day, so I stay in shape, but I’m not in the kind of cardio shape and weight-lifting shape that you are.” She gestured to him, and her cheeks darkened again.
That was the second time she’d referred to her weight training time as ‘therapy’. He wondered what the therapy was for.
“I’m in no rush, but I’d love to go on a bike ride or hike too, get out and explore this beautiful spot. Should we do that before the hydrotherapy?”
“It honestly pains my soul not to rush out into this gloriousness right now.” She flung a hand toward the exterior beauty.
He smiled at how delightful and impetuous she was.
“But my legs are pretty tired.” Her voice was quiet, and she didn’t meet his gaze. “I’ll have more strength after dinner.”
He nodded, wanting to ask more questions. Something was wrong with her legs? They appeared beautifully formed, revealed from the knees down in the sundress.
“Besides, you got me all excited about this water therapy,” she rushed on. “I’d love to relax in that pool or hot tub and look at the views this afternoon. After dinner, we could go on a walk and then soak in the hot tub again tonight. Maybe in the morning we could go on a slow bike ride before the activity Madelyne has planned for us.” Her voice pitched up in anticipation, or maybe nervousness. “I’m excited to try all of it, be out in nature like I’ve never seen …” Her voice quieted. “But I don’t want to slow you down.”
He loved her ideas. They’d be active and spend a lot of time together. It sounded like an ideal way to start this odd vacation to him. “I don’t mind going slow,” he said. “Let’s do it all.”
“Yay.” She scrambled off her knees as if to stand, but she tripped toward the pool. Chase wrapped his hand around her elbow and steadied her, wrapping his other hand around her trim waist and helping her to her feet.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice huskier than it should have been. He liked touching her. He liked it very much. Her waist was smooth and trim. Was she being modest about not being as fit as him? She looked and felt like she was in fabulous shape.
Lizzy stared up at him. Those brown eyes of hers were incredible. He felt like he could see into her soul. She swayed toward him, and his hands naturally slipped around her lower back and pulled her in tight to his chest.
Then her eyes widened, and she backed away from him. Her foot slipped off the edge of the pool.
“Careful,” he cautioned, not releasing her as she would’ve fallen into the pool if he did. He gathered her close and lifted her easily away from the edge, setting her on her feet.
“Thank you,” she said, her pulse racing in her neck.
He had a moment’s hope that she would melt in his arms and arch up to kiss him, but she tugged out of his arms instead. Giving him an embarrassed smile, she turned and walked toward the stairs.
Chase followed her up to the main level and then up the wider staircase to the second story. He noticed she was limping. It was odd, but it was both of her legs that looked to be causing her to limp with her knees turned slightly inward.
“Lizzy.” His voice might’ve been too intense. “Are you injured?”
Her back stiffened, but she didn’t answer or glance over her shoulder at him. They reached the upper story, and she stepped away from the staircase and stopped, her eyes darting around at the four doors off the upstairs hallway.
Chase studied her. Why hadn’t she answered his question? “Are you hurt?” he repeated, even though he was certain she’d heard him.
“It’sheavy, my friend.” Lizzy pushed out a sigh, then gave him a bright smile and waved her hands, completely contradicting her words and sigh.
“Pardon me?” He’d done something wrong, but he wasn’t certain what. Then he realized … she must have a permanent injury and be embarrassed about it. No wonder she’d called her workouts ‘therapy’, and he’d asked what was wrong with her legs. Ah, he was an idiot.
He held up both hands. “Please. Forget I asked if it’s a sensitive subject. I thought maybe it was an injury from your attack …” he trailed off. He wasn’t making this any better.His lack of ‘women-wooing knowledge’, as Parker would call it, wasn’t helping.
Lizzy’s brown eyes grew brighter, and he knew he was saying and doing this all wrong. She was going to cry. Oh, no.
“‘Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,’” she sang softly.
Chase frowned. He had heard the words before but couldn’t place them.
“No worries,” she cried out, then hurried to the closest door and pushed it open. Bright light streamed into the closed-in hallway.
Chase peered through the open doorway and saw a bedroom with large windows.
