“Give me a list. I’ll help. I was working on hooking up the soda dispenser, but that can wait. What do you need done?”
“I have calls to make. I’ll be fine now that I have my notebook. You can go back and work on the concession stand.”
“I’m not sure I can trust you to stay off your feet.” He scowled.
“Gavin, I appreciate your help. But quit hovering. I’m fine. It’s just a little bruise or twist.” She said the words firmly but wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Gavin or herself.
“Okay, but I’ll be back to check on you.”
“I’m sure you will.” She motioned him to scoot. He walked out of the room, still scowling.
She opened the notebook, took out her phone, and started on her list, ignoring the pain in her ankle.
Gavin came in and ate lunch with her after Beverly’s lunch was delivered. She had to practically shove him back out the door of her office when they’d finished.
By late afternoon, she had to admit, the pain was worse. Gavin poked his head in for like the hundredth time. “You doing okay?”
“I…” She sighed. “No, you’ve got me second-guessing myself. I guess we could go to urgent care and get it looked at.”
He nodded triumphantly. “Good choice. I’ll go get my car. Don’t move.”
He drove her to urgent care, and she got her ankle x-rayed. Just a sprain, like she’d thought. She was right. Gavin was wrong. The doctor wrapped her ankle, gave her crutches to use, and told her to stay off of it and elevate it.
She clumped back out into the waiting room on the crutches and Gavin looked up from reading a magazine. He sprung from his seat. “You okay?”
“A sprain. Like I said.”
He nodded. “Let’s get you home.” She wasn’t going to argue with him. Exhaustion flowed through her, and her muscles were starting to scream at her.
He drove her home, helped her up the porch steps, and stood beside her as she looked at the long set of stairs heading up to her apartment.
He took one look at the stairs and shook his head. “No way you’re doing those on crutches. I’m carrying you.”
He took her crutches, set them against the wall, and swept her up, his arms strong and steady. The warmth of his body seeped through her. She swore it warmed her to her very bones. But she resolutely ignored it.
He climbed the stairs as if her weight was nothing to him. He set her down by the door and she unlocked it. Before she could protest, he swept her up in his arms again and carried her inside, her head resting on his shoulder.
He strode over to the couch and gently set her down, then grabbed a pillow and placed it under her foot.
“I’ll go get your crutches.” He returned with them and set them near her. “Now, you need more ice. You got plastic bags or an ice pack?”
“No ice pack, but the bags are in the drawer to the left of the fridge.”
She settled against the plush pillows on her couch, reveling in their comfort, glad to finally rest. He returned with the ice bag and placed it on her ankle.
“Thank you for all your help. I do appreciate it.”
He nodded, not saying anything.
“I’ll be fine now.”
He nodded again.
“I mean… it’s okay for you to go now.” Did she have to spell it out to him?
“I’m staying.”
“Gavin, you don’t need to do that.”
