5. The Aftermath
Claire woke, stiff from last night’s fall. She moaned as her body tensed with pain. On top of the fall, she’d ended up sleeping on the couch in Pat’s living room. After a trip to the closest hospital, the evidence of Pat’s heroics was fully revealed.
A broken clavicle, along with a broken forearm and sprained fingers, were the major injuries. Although his body would be covered with bruises, and he’d be stiff, the doctor expected him to recover with no surgery required. Claire knew from the way he landed that he’d fallen to save her while trying to keep his injuries to a minimum.
Claire chided herself. Being stiff was nothing to complain about. She could do some yoga stretches to help work out the kinks. Yet, she knew the situation could have been significantly more dire for them both. She’d called him an old fool when she’d actually been one.
As her shoe had caught, she’d already put her hand out. Her automatic reflex would have certainly broken her wrist if she hadn’t taken a dive and hit her nose first. Or cracked her head against the stones, causing a concussion.
Either way, she knew Pat had saved her from weeks, if not months, of recuperation.
She chided herself for not heeding his admonition about her shoes. She crept to his bedroom, where he lay in his bed. His face had returned to a better color than last night’s gray pallor. They’d given him pain pills after they put his arm in a cast along with a sling.
With Steve and Gwen’s help, they’d managed to get him back upstairs and cushioned him with pillows. Concerned he might wake in the night, be disoriented, and end up falling, she’d chosen to sleep on the couch. It was the least she could do after his gallantry on her behalf.
She shuffled into the kitchen as her phone rang. Gwen’s voice came through the line. “How’s our patient this morning?”
Claire stifled a yawn. “Still sleeping.”
“Well, I’ve got to say that was the most exciting meet and greet we’ve ever attended. How are you holding up?”
“Stiff. Sore, but I think I’m okay.”
“That was a chivalrous thing he did for you.”
Tears sprung to Claire’s eyes. “Yes, it could have been much worse.”
“Let us bring you all some supper later.”
Claire ran a hand through her hair, a mess of tangles. “I couldn’t impose.”
“Nonsense. That’s what friends are for. What do you all like…oh, Steve’s calling. Don’t worry, we’ll bring something good. Hasta luego, eh.”
Claire set the phone back on the receiver. Gwen’s words echoed in her mind. ‘That’s what friends are for.’ Was it that simple? Of course, she had friends. But many had been other professors or were in her main circle.
She wiped the sleep from her eyes and felt at her lip with her tongue. She was met with the taste of iron and a sting. She must have bitten it in her fall.
Tiptoeing back to Pat’s door, she watched his chest rising and falling as he slept the deep sleep afforded by pain pills. She watched him for another moment, a light snore coming from his mouth. The desire to run her hands on his hair and face surprised her.
He seems okay. When he wakes up, it’s not going to be fun. Better grab a shower now.
Claire moved cautiously as she held onto the rail down the steps. She took her time walking across the garden.
Inside her casita, she shrugged out of her clothes, her reflection in the mirror caused her to gasp. Purple and green splotches bloomed on her arms and legs.
In all the excitement and turmoil, she’d ignored her injuries. The doctor had looked her over, but she’d missed the worst of it. Claire had been lucky to only suffer a few scrapes and cuts. But the bruises today revealed the truth of the fall’s full effects.
After hours with the doctor, the adrenaline leaving her body had left her antsy. Back at the house, Steve and Gwen helped her settle Pat in the bed. Uncomfortable with leaving him by himself, she’d decided to stay on the couch. Exhaustion had overtaken her, and she’d fallen into a deep sleep.
Now she saw the results of last night’s event.
Her dress was torn and dirty, while dots of blood dotted her bodice. Her hair looked like a mess, with tendrils half in and out of her braid. Her face had escaped much of the fall except for her swollen lip.
She tenderly touched her lips, recalling their kiss. It had been so long since she’d kissed a man.
But Pat wasn’t any man.
Not only had he sacrificed his own body for hers, but she’d also already been warring about her feelings for him.
She hated to admit that she’d been attracted to him the moment she met him. He must have felt the same. Claire had never believed in such foolishness as love at first sight, but what else could it be?
Something, an undercurrent, intangible, had drawn them to each other.
Last night’s kiss had been nothing short of making those feelings tangible.
She shrugged out of the dress, throwing it over to the bin. She doubted it could be fixed, but maybe after washing, she could take it to a local tailor to have them cut it off to make it into a shirt.
She let the water heat before climbing into the shower. Claire sighed as the hot water beat down on her neck and head. After letting the hot water massage her neck and shoulders, she stepped out of the shower. Claire pulled on a pair of leggings and a tank top.
She worked her way through her poses, careful when spots were tender. Thankful for the items she’d purchased from the store, she made a large, strong coffee before heading back to check on Pat.
Entering the house, she heard movement. He must have woken. She cracked open the door to see him trying to sit up.
“Oof!” He groaned.
“Wait. Let me help you.”
He forced himself up and moaned as he did. “I can manage.”
“No, you can’t. Let me help you. I gather you’re trying to head to the bathroom.”
He nodded.
“Okay, let me get on your side and you put your arm around me. I’m not sure how the medication or the injuries have affected you, so better safe than sorry. We don’t want you falling again.”
She came up beside him and took his arm, placing it over her shoulder.
“You’re a little of nothing. You’re not going to stop me if I fall.”
“I’m stronger than you think. And if it comes to that, you can land on me this time.”
He grinned. “I’d crush you.”
“Well, let’s not think about it.”
She hoisted him up close to her, her other arm wrapped around his back. Together, they hobbled over to the bathroom, where she helped him toward the sink. “I’ll be just outside if you need any help. You call me. Don’t be stubborn.”
He saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
She grinned. “Exactly. That’s more like it. Would you like some coffee or something to eat?”
“Some tea and toast would be great.”
“Okay. What do you like on your toast?”
“Butter and cinnamon sugar.”
She smiled. “Ah, that reminds me so much of when I was a kid. Now, seriously, if you need help with, um, anything, call me.”
“I’ve still got one good hand. I’ll be fine.” He wiggled his fingers before kicking the door shut with his foot.
In the kitchen, Claire set the teapot on to boil, then found the bread. She stuck a couple of slices in the toaster before hunting in the upper cabinet for cinnamon. Finding the spice, she mixed it with some sugar in a bowl. When the toaster dinged, she pulled the toast out and added two more slices. While those toasted, she slathered on a good amount of butter, topping it with the cinnamon mixture.
When she heard a loud bump, Claire rushed back to the room.
Pat leaned against the wall. “Must have some dizziness yet.”
“Let’s get you into a chair.” They shuffled into the main rooms. She lowered Pat into a chair at the table. “Do you take milk or lemon?”
“A bit of milk, please.”
Claire brought the cup over and sat it in front of Pat. “Say when.” She started pouring.
“When.”
Adding milk to her cup, she placed it in front of the opposite chair. She set the toast down before grabbing some napkins.
The toast crunched as he took a bite.
“Um, good. Thanks. I’m surprised I’m hungry. I normally don’t eat breakfast.”
“Well, since it’s two in the afternoon, not surprising.”
“Really? I didn’t realize I’d slept that late.”
“I didn’t wake until almost noon. When I went and grabbed my shower, I saw the time.”
“Wait, you didn’t stay here all night?”
She nodded. “Right on that sofa. Not bad. Not good either.”
“Why would you do that?” He raised his cup and blew on the hot tea.
“I didn’t want you waking up and then falling. I wouldn’t be able to hear you out there, so decided to stay in here.” She shrugged. “It’s the least I could do after what you did for me.”
His face clouded over. “Um, about last night.”
“Yes?”
“I want to apologize. I, well, I wasn’t thinking straight. It was a lapse in judgment. I hope you’ll accept my—”
“Don’t worry. Already forgotten.” She picked up her cup to hide her expression. It wasn’t forgotten. She longed to kiss him again.
He nodded. “Great. I wouldn’t want there—I mean, you’re my renter.”
Oh, that’s what he was worried about? Her leaving a critical review or who knows what. “It’s fine. Would you like another piece of toast?” She avoided stating that she’d kissed him back, giving as much as getting.
“I’m good. Though some more tea would be nice.” He winced as he moved in his chair.
Claire stood up and found the pills they’d gotten when they’d left the doctor’s. “Here, take a couple of these. They should help. You might try to rest some more. Maybe catch a nap. Steve and Gwen are going to bring dinner later.”
“That’s nice of them. I think I owe them a thanks as well. Am I right?”
“Yes, they drove us to the hospital. I enjoyed talking to them last night. They’re a great couple.”
He nodded before popping the pills in his mouth.
She stared at him. “Is everything okay? Anything else I can get you?”
“No. Just a lot on my mind. I’m on a deadline for my book. Now I’m going to have to figure out how to get it done on time. I guess I’ll need to push it back.”
A deadline? Maybe his writing was more than a hobby. She’d have to look him up online. “Why don’t you let me help you?”
His gaze fell on her. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you can dictate and I can type it. They have those programs but you have to say things like comma, period, etc. We could figure out a shorthand like narrative, dialogue, sentence, etc. It’s the least I can do for causing you so much trouble.”
He pursed his lips. “You’re no trouble. I would do it again. Though figure out a better way to catch you.”
She laughed. “And I promise not to wear those shoes again. At least while out walking.”
“Finally, she listens to me!”
“Okay, now that you’re fed, let’s get you into bed. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“I think I can manage cleaning up before they arrive, but might need some help with my hair.”
She looked at his hair, now flat and dirty from last night. “How about this? I’ll let you sleep for a while. Then when you wake up, I’ll come over and wash your hair for you. I think I saw some large tubs in the laundry room we can use.”
“Great. Yes, a nap would be good. I feel my energy draining.”
After getting Pat settled back on the bed, Claire cleaned up their dishes. She made to leave when Pat called her name.
“Claire?”
She jogged into his room, worry on her face. “Are you okay? Do you need something?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. If you’re serious about helping me with the book, you might read what I’ve got so far. It’s on my computer, but you can print a copy.”
“Great. I’ll do that. Any password?”
He shook his head. “It’s open so you can go right to it.”
“Great. Now you get some sleep.” She put his cell phone next to his bed. “If you need anything, you call me. Don’t maneuver on your own.”
“Will do. And Claire—”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For everything,” his voice murmured as the medication took effect and sleep crept in.
“You’re welcome.” Claire went to his computer and pulled up the book. After copying off the first chapters, she took them with her. Soon, she was lost in a jungle, chased by treasure-seeking mercenaries, all seeking treasure.
She sat back, her head resting on the chaise.
Wow. This is so good. Pat has genuine talent. It reminded her of something. But what?
She couldn’t wait to tell him what she thought about his work.