“Let’s at least put some ice on it. I’ll take you back to your office, and then go run and get some ice.”
She nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. Keep the swelling down.”
“Lean on me.”
She leaned against him, and he wound his arm around her waist, supporting her, protecting her. If only he’d been here to prevent her fall.
They slowly made their way to her office, his arm still firmly around her. He helped her settle on her chair, suddenly acutely aware she was no longer in his arms.
“There. See? I’m fine.” She eyed him defiantly, but her eyes betrayed her bravado. He could tell she was in pain.
“Right.” He shook his head. “Stay there until I get back.” He headed toward the door and looked back at her. “Please?”
“Okay, okay. I’ll still be sitting here when you return.”
He walked outside, saw the sign for Coastal Coffee, and figured that was the closest place for ice. He hurried down the sidewalk. As he pushed through the door, he spied Beverly across the room and hurried over to her. “Beverly, I need some ice. Tori took a fall.”
“Is she all right?” Beverly’s eyes filled with concern.
“I told her she needed to go get checked out, but she refused. Her ankle is starting to swell, so I need ice for it.”
“Let me get you a bag of it.” Beverly hurried away and returned with a large bag full of ice. “Here. Are you going to stay with her for a while to make sure she’s okay? Did she hit her head?”
He frowned. “I don’t think so. I should have asked.” He chastised himself. “She really should go get looked at.”
“Just keep an eye on her. And I’ll send lunch over for you two. Tell her just to rest.”
“Thanks, Beverly.” He hurried out the door, thinking maybe he shouldn’t have left Tori alone. Guilt threatened to engulf him as he quickened his pace.
Annoyance crept through Tori. How could she have been so clumsy? It was foolish to be balancing that close to the edge of the stage, especially when she knew better. She’d been performing for years. How many times had she been warned not to get near the edge during her career? And when she was downstage, the edge never worried her. It was like she had an instinctive feeling for where it ended. Though, not today.
She eyed her notebook, sitting across the room on a table. She pushed up from her chair, wincing as she put her weight on her foot. Okay, maybe not such a good idea. She sank back down, thinking she probably should prop up her foot. She pulled out a file drawer and raised her leg, setting her foot on it. That would work for now.
She took a steadying breath. She had to admit, the fall had frightened her. Those split seconds when she knew she was going to fall and could feel the empty air as she struggled to save herself. She had caught herself slightly with her arm, which had helped. She raised her arm and sighed. A nasty bruise was beginning to form under her arm.
She leaned back in her chair. Thank goodness Gavin had been here to help her up. Would she have had to crawl over to one of the seats to pull herself up? He’d looked so concerned for her. But she was okay. Really. She’d just take it easy for a few days. Stay off her foot. But what lousy timing. She still had so much left to do with the grand opening quickly approaching. Dress rehearsals were coming up. The traveling troupe needed at least a few rehearsals to get used to the space. And the lighting crew needed to work with them. And the sound system still had a few kinks that needed to be worked out of it.
Determined, she rose again to go get her notebook. She had to make sure all this got scheduled properly. She could do this. Shehadto do this.
“Don’t even think about it.” Gavin’s voice cut across the room. “What do you think you’re doing?” His eyes flashed with aggravation and disbelief.
“Going to get my notebook.”
“I’ll get it. Sit.”
“Don’t bark orders at me.” Though she had to admit, sitting sounded preferable to walking right now.
He grabbed the notebook, set it on the desk, and motioned to the chair. She sat back down.
He looked down at her makeshift footstool. “Let me at least get something to put on top of that drawer.” He returned with a pillow from the prop room and placed it on top of the file drawer. She put her foot up, and he positioned the ice on her ankle.
After she was settled, he looked at her closely. “Hey, did you hit your head?”
“No.”
He nodded quickly, and a look of relief swept across his face. He stepped back. “Beverly said she was sending over lunch. And she said to take it easy.”
“I won’t be running a marathon any time soon. But I do have work to do.”
