Chapter 17
Adam was setting up sawhorses when Mel wandered out the back door. She was wearing jean shorts that hit mid-thigh, a faded novelty T-shirt, and well-worn canvas sneakers. Her copper-colored hair was pulled off her face in a long, wavy ponytail. She wore a mischievous grin that made her amazing, color-changing eyes sparkle.
“Morning,” she said, coming over to stand next to him. “I’ve been dying to talk to you.”
He chuckled, folded his arms over his chest and sat on a sawhorse, careful not to expose his artificial limb. “I’m surprised you didn’t call,” he teased.
“I didn’t want to appear too pushy.” She rubbed her hands together and grinned. “But how did everything go?”
Deciding to keep her in suspense another minute or two, Adam hid his smile. “What are you talking about? I’m just getting started on the bench.”
She bumped his shoulder. “That’s not what I’m referring to and you know it.”
“Do you do this with all your clients?” He turned away so she couldn’t see his grin.
She kicked a pile of mulch with her toe and said, “Well, no. But our relationship isn’t exactly the norm for me.”
He could hear her voice drop. He reached out and lightly touched her arm. “I was just having a little fun with you.”
Her smile brightened. “So are you going to tell me how it went with Beth?”
“She was nice. She’s smart, quick-witted and seems like a genuine person.”
“When are you going to see her again?”
“We have tentative plans to go fishing and have dinner.”
Melinda beamed. “That is fantastic news.”
“We’ll see where it goes after that, but I’m feeling optimistic.”
“I’m relieved. After your first match, I was concerned I had lost my touch.” She turned to go inside. “Do you want some coffee? I need to get to work, but I can bring a mug out to you.”
“No, I’m good.” He pointed to his bag. “I brought water. It’s going to be hot today.”
She paused on the bottom step. “Did you hear about Molly and Tim’s wedding?”
He looked up as he nodded. “I did. It’s out on the island. A weekend event, by the looks of it.”
“Are you going?”
“I am, are you?” His heart rate increased while waiting for her answer.
“Of course I wouldn’t miss it.”
He asked, “Do you want to hangout together for the weekend?”
“That sounds like it would be fun. You know, take the pressure off from being the single person. It’s not so bad when it’s just an afternoon, but we need to arrive Friday and the wedding is Saturday. Then there is a brunch on Sunday before we can catch the ferry home.” Melinda was rambling on. Adam smiled at her.
“Sounds like you’ve given this a great deal of thought.”
Her face flushed a cute shade of pink. “Well, I’m a planner.”
“I’ll make reservations tonight,” he said.
“I can make them and book the ferry tickets.”
Adam dug in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I’ll drive us to the ferry and be your chauffeur for the weekend.”
She took his credit card and said, “Sounds like a plan.” The door banged shut behind her as she disappeared inside.
Adam sat there looking at the closed door for what seemed like hours. Under other circumstances, he would think they had just agreed to a date for the weekend.
Melinda tapped the computer keys to finalize the hotel reservations for the wedding. She was glad to have someone to spend the weekend with. All of their friends would be paired off, and being with Adam was fun. She printed the ferry schedule and then sent the hotel and ferry information to Adam in an email.
Her office phone rang. “Hello, Melinda Phillips.”
“Melinda, hi. This is Nick.”
“This is a surprise. Did we have a phone conference scheduled?” She flipped through her appointment book on her desk and didn’t see anything with his name listed for a call.
“No. But I enjoyed meeting you and wanted to see if you were free for a drink this evening.”
She hesitated. Shoot. I didn’t want this to happen.
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Nick, thank you for the invitation, but I don’t date clients.” Her thoughts slid to Adam. He wasn’t her date for the wedding, going for ice cream wasn’t a date. They were two friends sharing a ride and spending time together while they attend an event for mutual friends.
“Couldn’t you make an exception with me?” he drawled.
She sighed and then hoped he didn’t hear it. “Nick, I have a wonderful match for you. Gretchen. Have you contacted her yet?”
“No.” He sounded disappointed.
“Why don’t you give her a call? I think you’ll be pleased.”
“Well, you do have an excellent reputation, but do me one favor?”
“If I can.” Melinda had a hunch she knew what he was going to say next.
“If you ever change your mind, let me know.”
With a nervous laugh Melinda said, “Thank you. I’m sure you understand I’m doing the job you hired me to do.”
“Is it wrong for me to hope you’ll change your mind? What would one little glass of wine hurt?”
“Now, Nick…” Her voice was firm. “You should give Gretchen a chance.”
“I will.” After he said goodbye, she set the phone back on the base and laughed.
“He certainly is persistent.” At that moment she heard a string of colorful language coming from her backyard. She moved to the window and pulled up the sash. “Hey, what’s going on out there?”
Adam held up his hand. She saw the blood dripping from his arm. Steeling herself, she said, “I’ll be right out.” Melinda stepped from view and put a hand over her roiling stomach. She had never been good at dealing with blood. “I can do this.”
She grabbed a roll of paper towels as she raced through the kitchen, regretting that she didn’t have a first aid kit on hand. Taking the back steps two at a time, she ran to him. Melinda kept her eyes focused on him searching for signs of him passing out.
Her stomach got that queasy feeling again as she unrolled an arm’s length of paper and then held it out to him. “What happened?”
“I was using the saw and the guard slipped. It was stupid. I caught my finger. I’m not sure, but I might have lopped it off.”
She took a quick look around as the blood was turning the paper towel bright red. She swallowed hard and deliberately tried to slow down her fast breathing.
“Mel, are you okay?”
Adam’s voice seemed very far away. She chided herself to get a grip. “I’m not a fan of blood.” She started to wrap more towels around his hand. “I won’t hurt you.”
“I’m okay.” He took a step and paled.
She grabbed his arm. “I’ve got you.” “We need to go to the emergency room and have someone take a look at that. At a minimum you’re going to need stitches.” She finished securing the paper towels and pushed on his elbow. “Keep your hand above your heart and let’s go.”
She steered him toward the kitchen door. Adam stopped in his tracks. “I can’t go in there. I’ll get blood on the floor.”
“I need my handbag and keys.”
“We’re not taking your car—you’ve got cream interior. We’ll take the truck.”
Melinda kept her temper in check. He was being exasperating. “Fine, but I still need to lock the house and get my keys.”
“I’ll meet you out front.” Adam held tight to the makeshift paper towel bandage. “Hey, Mel?” She turned toward him. “Any chance you have an old towel I can use? This isn’t going to cut it.” He gestured to his arm.
“I’ll grab something.” The door banged behind her and she flipped the lock. On her way to the linen closet she slung her handbag over her shoulder and shook it to make sure she heard her keys inside. She grabbed a clean white towel and ran to the front door. She hopped down the front steps just as Adam got to the truck.
She rushed to open the passenger door for him and handed him the towel. “Put your seatbelt on.” After she climbed into the driver’s seat, she looked between her legs and on the side of the seat. “Where can I adjust this darn thing?” Muttering to herself, she said, “I never considered myself vertically challenged until now.”
Adam’s face was pale, He chuckled in spite of the pain he must be feeling. “I have long legs.”
She flashed him a look. “Stop laughing.”
“It’s not electric, the lever is between your legs.”
She jerked the seat forward and then back, finding the spot that worked best for her. She turned the key and the engine roared to life. “Okay, we’re off.”
He frowned when he looked at the towel. “You had to get a white one?”
She flashed him a quick look. “What? Oh, all I have is white. I like to use bleach.”
He mumbled, “I doubt bleach will take care of this mess.”
She drove quickly but with confidence, stealing looks at him from time to time. “How’s the pain?”
“Not too bad. I’ve been through worse than this.”
She was curious about those details, but now was not the time to pepper him with questions. “We’ll be there in about five minutes.”
“I’m glad you live close to the hospital.” The truck hit a pothole and he grimaced.
Melinda cringed. “I’m so sorry.”
The sign for the hospital was up ahead. She slowed the truck and turned into the entrance. “I’ll drop you off at the door and park.”
“No! I’ll stay with you.” He looked at her. “In case of dizziness.”
She could feel her face drain of color. “Do you think you’ve lost a lot of blood?”
“Not me. You.” He gave her a weak grin.
“You never pass up the opportunity to tease me, do you?” She pulled into a parking lot that said EMERGENCY.
“Why would I? It’s fun. Besides, right now I could use the distraction.”
He popped his seatbelt with his good hand, and she could see the towel was going to have to be thrown in the trash. That blood was never coming out. Maybe she should have taken a couple of minutes to look around. What if he had cut off his finger?
He caught her staring at his hand. “I’m going to buy you a new towel.”
She pushed open her door. “What makes you think that’s not an old towel?” She hurried around and opened Adam’s door.
“Mel, relax. I can get out by myself.” His laughter was strained as they crossed the pavement. “I’ll bet you don’t have old, holey socks either.”
The emergency room door silently whooshed open. They stepped inside. Cold air washed over them. Melinda pointed to the check-in desk. “You need to go over there and I’ll wait for you here.”
He gave her a quick look.
She said, “Never mind, I’m coming with you.”
He dropped his voice. “Are you worried what they’re going to find when they unwrap your paper towel masterpiece?”
“No.” She took his elbow. “I’ve got nothing better to do until you’re stitched up, so why not keep you company?”
He looked relieved. “Thanks, Mel.”