“I’m not an invalid,” I complained as he led me gently back across the room.
“No, you’re just stiff and sore.” He pulled the covers back and I slowly sat on the bed.
“I need to wash my hair,” I said, and felt ridiculous.
“I can help you with that,” he said, casually.
“Oh? How’s that?” I asked suspiciously, as he helped me get situated.
Julian snorted with laughter. It was such a silly sound, that it made me smile, despite everything. “Magnolia,” he said between laughs, “I wasn’t inferring anything improper. Actually, I’m seeing someone and she—”
“Oh!” I blushed. “I didn’t mean to imply—”
“—has very long hair.” Julian finished with a grin. “I thought we could probably use the kitchen sink to deal with washing your hair more comfortably.”
“Will Nina let us in her kitchen?” I managed to smile.
“For this, I’m sure she will,” Julian said. “Why don’t you try and relax, and I’ll bring you a fresh ice pack for your shoulder.”
“Okay,” I said, and tried not to sound ungrateful. “Thank you, Julian.”
He nodded. “That’s what family is for.”
I leaned back and listened as he padded down the hall.
A few minutes later and he was back wearing workout clothes and running shoes. Julian carried a mug of tea in one hand and a freezer bag full of ice cubes in the other. He paused long enough to grab the remote from across the room and brought them both over. “Here you go. Might as well watch some television while you’re laid up.” He set the mug down within reach and pulled a bottle of ibuprofen out of his pocket.
“This is very kind of you—” I began.
“Willow woke me up earlier,” he announced, securing the ice bag in place.
“What?” I sat straight up.
Julian eased me back. “It’s fine. She found my room, and told me she wanted me to go build snowmen with her. I think she was sleepwalking.”
“She does that sometimes. I was so out of it last night I forgot to warn y’all. I’m sorry.”
“No worries.” He shrugged. “I steered her back to her own bed and she fell right back to sleep.” He chatted for a few more moments, made a comment about hitting the treadmill, and left.
I took the pills after Julian left and I marveled at the generous hospitality they’d all shown me. I’d never had siblings, and my own mother wasn’t exactly very…mothering. Growing up I’d yearned for a normal family, people who were there for each other no matter what.
I wondered if this was how it felt.
***
For the first week after the accident I was absolutely miserable, even with my arm in the special sling/brace the doctor had given me. Not that it was so painful, just that I was sore, down to one arm, trying to run my own business and caring for a four-year-old. Thank heavens I had help. I don’t know how we’d have managed without it.
While my car was being repaired, I’d gone ahead and purchased snow tires. Thomas had made noises about replacing the car for me, but I turned down his offer. The car might be old, but it was mine.
Willow thrived under the extra attention of Thomas, Julian, and Nina Vasquez. Julian had indeed taken her outside the day of the big snowfall, taught her how to make snowmen, and Willow was thrilled. Thomas took several pictures of them in the snow for me with his cell phone, and I was stunned to discover that he’d had a few printed and had added the photos to a collection of framed family pictures in the library.
Lexie was true to her word and dropped by to check on me a few days later. She also brought her daughter, Belinda, along with her. The baby was all wrapped up in a pink snowsuit and had the same dark blonde hair and blue eyes as her mother. Belinda drooled and grinned as we sat and chatted about the upcoming bridal shower and the wedding. I thanked Lexie again for her help the night of the accident, and after a brief visit, she and Belinda left.
Wyatt Hastings came to visit me a week after the accident. I’d been sitting in the family’s gorgeous library in a big comfy chair working on my laptop one-handed. I was enjoying the fire while Thomas pretended not to hover.
To my surprise, Wyatt gifted me with three of his mystery novels. Saying he thought I might enjoy having something to read while I recovered. While I was touched at the gesture, I was also apprehensive. I hesitated, and he asked what was wrong.
“I recall Duncan saying your stories were gruesome…and I don’t like gory books,” I said, as he held them out.
“I think you’ll like these,” he said. “They’re from a new series of mine, and are more in the style of a cozy mystery.”
“Oh, really? I enjoy cozy mysteries.” I said, happily accepting the paperbacks. When I took the books from him, I saw burn scars on the back of one of his hands. Red, and thick, they disappeared under the cuff of his long sleeve shirt. They were severe, and I instantly felt sympathy for him.
He saw that I’d noticed, and I watched his shoulders stiffen, as if he expected me to ask about them, or worse, recoil at the sight. I did neither. Instead I smiled. “If I have nightmares from your novels,” I said, “I’m going to be very cross with you.”
“Fair enough.” When he smiled, his ice blue eyes crinkled at the corners.
I glanced over the cover art on the books and got a jolt of recognition when I saw the author’s name was listed as Ford Williams. “You use a pseudonym?” I asked.
Thomas dropped a hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. “He does. It’s a play on words—”
“For the town of William’s Ford,” I finished. “Of course.”
“It’s also a way to maintain some privacy,”
