“Three times a week is best on that,” Pepper reminded her. “I’ll let you slide with twice a week, but only when things are really hectic. You’ve done great and you don’t want to lose that, do you?”
Cathy shook her head. She followed her physical therapist to her van and helped her stow the equipment. Pepper turned toward her and gave her a hug. “You’ve worked really hard and it shows. Be proud of yourself, okay?”
“I will.”
Cathy stood in the driveway and waved as the other woman drove down to the street. When Pepper was no longer in sight, Cathy bounded up the steps to the big house, then let herself in the front door.
She paused in the foyer. She wasn’t really sure what to do next. The truth was she had to make some decisions with her life. She’d been at Stone’s house for nearly six weeks, and she couldn’t hide out here forever.
“Time to act like a grown-up,” she told herself as she settled on the bottom step and drew her knees up to her chest.
As much as she would like to stay here and enjoy the life of the rich and reclusive, that wasn’t an option. She had her job back at the answering service waiting for her.
Cathy wrinkled her nose. Shereallydidn’t want to go back to her old, boring life. She’d come so far in the past six weeks. She was eating right and exercising. She felt positive about herself; she was sleeping great. Just to make life even better, she’d lost fifteen pounds and nearly two sizes. Just five more pounds to go.
So her world had taken a turn for the better. The fire and her injuries could have been a horrible situation. Instead, she’d come through even better than before. She didn’t want to lose the momentum. She didn’t want to go back to what she’d been before. None of which answered the question, now what?
College was a possibility. Maybe a few classes while she was working. If she kept her night shift, she could take morning classes, then come home and sleep until she had to leave for work. She would have plenty of time to study at night. After midnight, the answering service really slowed down and Eddie had never cared if she read. Studying would be a more productive use of her time.
She didn’t have a clue as to what she wanted to study, but right now that wasn’t important. She could take a few general-education courses and get her bearings. It had been a long time since high school, and she was sure it was going to take some effort to get her brain used to studying again.
“That’s decided, then,” she said aloud, and rose to her feet. But instead of climbing the stairs, she sighed. She didn’t want to go. Not because the house was beautiful, or that there was someone to cook and clean, but because she didn’t want to leave Stone. She liked him. She certainly had a crush on him. She was probably a little in love with him. He would go on and forget all about her, but she would always remember him. He was the highlight of her life.
Still, she’d stayed as long as she dared. She was ready to go back to work and couldn’t think of a single excuse not to go.
“Like I said,” she reminded herself. “Time to be a grown-up. Better to go on my own than be asked to leave.”
She started up the stairs. On the second floor, she turned right and headed down to his office. The door was ajar. She knocked as she pushed it open and stepped inside.
Stone looked up from his computer and smiled. “This is a nice surprise. Are you finished with Pepper?”
“Yes, it was our last session. She left me with firm instructions about continuing on with an exercise program, and I’m determined to do it.”
“Good for you.” He motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
As she took the seat, she studied him. The contrast of thick scars and perfect male beauty never ceased to move her. He was the most amazing man. Truly kind, although she wasn’t allowed to say that anymore.
“Are you just visiting?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I have an announcement. I’ve imposed on your life enough. You have been more than generous with your home and your time, but I need to get back to where I belong. I start back to work on Monday.”
Stone stared at her so intently she wanted to check her cheek for a smudge. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
The corners of his mouth turned up, but it was a pale imitation of a smile. “I don’t want you to go,” he said simply.
Cathy blinked. Had she heard that correctly? He didn’t want her to go? “But I’m just in the way,” she blurted out.
“Not at all. I enjoy your company.” He picked up a pen and turned it over in his hands. “Sometimes this house gets a little too quiet. I don’t get out as much as some think I should.” He motioned to his face. “For obvious reasons.”
“It doesn’t have to be like that,” she said quickly.
“That’s not the subject under discussion,” he reminded her. “We were talking about you leaving. Would you reconsider?”
“I—” Her heart pounded in her chest. What was he saying? Was he telling her that he was really going to miss her? Had she come to matter to him the same way he mattered to her? Were they more than friends?
She leaned forward in her seat and clasped her hands together. “Stone, I don’t know what to say.”
“Good, because I haven’t made my offer yet. I know you still have your job at the answering service. You’re very good at it, but then, why wouldn’t you be? You’re personable and very bright. The truth is, Cathy, you’re not challenged there. I realize I’m overstepping my bounds, but this is important. You could be so much more.”
