What did she want? Chocolate. About three pounds. That should see her through.
Stop it! she ordered herself. It was time to let go of the excuses and actually do something. This was a perfect opportunity. For the next few days, she wouldn’t be able to prepare her own food, let alone shop. Why not get a jump start on the program she wanted to begin when she got home?
She cleared her throat and felt a flush stain her cheeks. “Would it be too much trouble to have you make some low-fat foods?” Cathy asked in a rush. “Nothing complicated. Maybe some grilled chicken or fish. If it’s too much work, I’ll understand.”
“Not at all,” Ula said smoothly. “I have several interesting recipes.” Her gaze swept over Cathy. “You want to lose some weight?”
It was the obvious question. Cathy nodded.
“I can do that.” The older woman hesitated. “It’s not my business, but you might want to ask the physical therapist about an exercise program. Perhaps there’s something aerobic you can do while your leg is healing.”
Cathy hadn’t thought of that. “What a great idea. I’ll do that. Thank you.”
Ula offered her a slight smile.
Cathy gathered her courage. “I don’t know what Stone told you about me,” she began, then paused, hoping Ula would fill in the blank. The housekeeper didn’t, so Cathy plunged on. “Well, we’re just friends. I’ve known him for about two years. Not in person, of course. I know he doesn’t go out much. But over the phone. He used the answering service I worked for, and we talked most evenings.” She cleared her throat. She wasn’t sure why she was explaining herself to the housekeeper; she just didn’t think she could bear to live here if Ula didn’t approve. Silly, but true.
“Anyway, I was on the phone with Stone when the fire broke out in the building where I work. He was concerned enough to come to the hospital and check on me. Then he brought me here. I don’t want you to think that I’m going to make trouble or anything. I’m not. We’re just…that is, I’m not very important to him. I understand that.”
Ula’s expression didn’t change. “Thank you for explaining,” she said. “It was unnecessary, but very kind of you. Mr. Ward had said you were a friend of his, and as such, you are welcome in his home. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”
She turned to leave, then paused in the doorway. “Perhaps later I’ll bring by a list of recipes I can try and we can discuss which ones interest you the most.”
As overtures went, it wasn’t a huge one, but Cathy didn’t think she was much in a position to complain. She smiled. “I would like that,” she said. “Thanks.”
This time the housekeeper did leave, but when she was gone, Cathy didn’t feel quite so alone.
Chapter Five
“You must be Cathy,” the young woman said as she bounded up the stairs.
Cathy sat on the patio because Ula had insisted. After breakfast the housekeeper had informed her it was a beautiful day and that the physical-therapy session could as easily happen outside as in. Over Cathy’s protests, Ula had hustled her down the hall to the stairs, where she’d slowly made her way to the first floor. Now Cathy sat in the wrought-iron chair, her back to the sun and generally hating life.
Her arms and shoulders ached from the crutches, and her knee throbbed. While she’d enjoyed her low-fat breakfast, she was still hungry and all she could think about was chocolate. To make matters worse, the young woman beaming in front of her looked to be about five feet tall, and maybe all of eighty pounds. Ula was tiny—this woman was tiny. Had Cathy somehow entered a world of perfect little people, where she was the only troll?
“Hi,” Cathy managed to say, hoping her bitterness didn’t show.
The young woman grinned. She had short blond hair and the kind of body featured in fitness magazines. A T-shirt and bicycle shorts showed off the sleek muscles to perfection. “I’m Pepper, your physical therapist.” Pepper held up her hand. “It’s a nickname, and I prefer the soft-drink jokes be kept to a minimum. My mother named me after her favorite aunt, Esmeralda, so Pepper is an improvement. How are you feeling?”
Pepper’s voice was as perky as her smile. Cathy fought nausea. “Just great.”
Pepper plopped down on the steps by Cathy’s feet. “You don’t sound great. If anything, you sound tired. Did you sleep well last night?”
Cathy shrugged. “Not great,” she admitted. The pain pills had helped, but she’d been restless. There were so many things on her mind. Her job—or the possible lack thereof—her surgery and recovery, Stone. Everything was still too confusing.
“The first few days are the worst,” Pepper said. “Your body has to recover from the shock of the injury and from the surgery, as well. On the surface, you’ll heal pretty quickly, but remember it takes the body a year to completely recover from any operation. So be kind to yourself. If you get tired, take a nap. Try not to get too stressed.”
That Cathy could handle. She looked at Pepper. “What exactly are you here to do?”
“A couple of things. We’re going to work on your leg to make sure you don’t lose too much muscle tone. I’m going to show you some exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knee. Stronger muscles will stabilize the area while it heals. Second we’re going to work on your technique with crutches. Most people are pretty hopeless on them. It takes a lot of balance and upper-body strength, not to mention practice. I’ll be making sure you don’t injure yourself while you use them. We’ll do a little massage, too, to help the muscles.” She touched the spot above her left breast. “It hurts right here, doesn’t it? And across your shoulders?”
Cathy nodded. “Yes. I try shifting positions when I use the crutches, but it doesn’t seem to help.”
“While they keep the weight off the leg so it can heal, using crutches is physically unnatural. I want to minimize your pain and suffering in an already uncomfortable situation.” She stood up and looked around. “The housekeeper suggested we work out here. It’s pretty private. What do you think?”
Cathy followed her gaze. In front of her was a wide view of the ocean. On either side, tall hedges protected this part of the garden from prying neighbors. Behind them was the house, and as far as she knew, only Ula and Stone were inside. She doubted either would find her physical-therapy session interesting. But the real reason she agreed was that the alternative was going up to her room, and she just couldn’t face the stairs right now.
“I’m sure we’ll be fine out here,” she said, wishing she felt more enthusiastic about the whole thing.
