“I can’t see how,” he replied honestly.
“Well, it’s still true, so look at this. It’s an e-reader and headphones.” Dr. Adams kept talking as he dumped the contents of the package on the side of his bed. “There’s an audio option on here so you can listen to the rest of the series and whatever you want until you get yourself better situated. She also threw in a converter. Good call on her part.”
“That’s too much. I can’t accept this.” Landon shook his head. They’d removed the immobilizer this morning, and even though the brace on his arm was still cumbersome, he’d have a much easier time reading now. He stared down at all the different components of the gift. Dr. Adams shouldn’t have done this. Landon had enjoyed the time they’d spent together. Nothing was owed to him as far as he was concerned. “Doc, I appreciate—”
“I wanted to have the books loaded before I gave it to you, but apparently you need to add your account information so my sister sent you a gift card with a note from her,” Dr. Adams continued to explain, not thwarted by Landon’s objection.
“This is too much,” he repeated, raising his voice this time to be heard by the hardheaded doctor.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. I thought we could charge it, and when I come tonight, I’ll help you set it up.” Dr. Adams’s grin grew, and Landon was convinced it was his own scowl that had prompted the twinkle in the other man’s eyes as he opened the e-reader’s box. Landon tried to pick his words. Outside of his family, no one gave him gifts, and including his family, no one ever spent this much money on him. “I’ll take that silence to mean ‘you’re a smart guy, Dr. Adams. Great plan.’”
Dr. Adams rose, looking around for a plug. He opened another box which held an adapter and plugged it in. “Dude, I didn’t do anything but show my respect. I don’t deserve this.”
“Just take it. I want you to have it. Here’s the note from my sister,” Dr. Adams said, still completely ignoring his wishes. “I’ve got to run. I’m tying up all my loose ends before I head out. I’ll see you tonight. I think we can set this up and finish the book before I go.”
Landon watched Dr. Adams pivot and leave the room. What the hell just happened? Landon looked down at the envelope then looked over at the e-reader. Without knowing anything about the shiny black pad, he was certain it was one of the fancy ones, all new and sleek. It was as if the device had a life of its own, the battery light lit up in the middle of the screen, garnering all his attention. Those things were expensive and easy to break. All the courage he’d had to build in order to deal with Dr. Adams in the first place slipped several notches. Apparently, he didn’t like getting gifts from the Adams family. It made him insecure and uncertain, and he lowered his brow, staring at the pretty penmanship of his name scribbled on the outside of the envelope.
As if the envelope held a secret mission and a self-destructing recording, Landon slowly opened the flap and pulled out the card.
Dear Landon,
My heart is filled with gratitude to you for the way you honored our father, and I wanted to thank you for your service. I also believe that you’re the reason for the change I noticed in my brother. I know it’s your influence on him that has made the difference.
I’m sorry to hear of your injuries. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery. I’m happy Robert had this time with you. You managed to do more for him than any of us could. I’ll have to give you a hug in person someday. Please take care and know I owe you so much.
Wishing you the best,
Autumn
A sigh slipped free as he read the words again. He kept a tight grip on the card before dropping his fist to the mattress as he stared up at the dingy tiles—a ceiling he’d stared at for so long he knew each blemish by heart. Why was every member of the Adams family so incredibly kind?
Why did he feel like crying? Emotion squeezed his chest, making it hard to get a full breath.
Why did he want to save this note as one of his most cherished items until the day he died?
This wasn’t supposed to go like this. He owed the Adams family, not the other way around. Now Dr. Adams was buying him expensive gifts and offering his place for Landon to live. Then Autumn Adams wrote him a personal note that seemed heartfelt and sincere.
He was the one trying to pay back a kindness. Now, all lines were blurred. No matter how many lectures he gave himself, he was developing real feelings for Robert Adams. Big feelings. Like more than just someday hoping to find a guy like the doctor, kind of feelings. Now, he wanted the doctor. The thought had his heart racing and his internal anxiety spiking for even admitting to himself such a confusing truth.
Oh. My. God. When the fuck had that even happened?
As if Dr. Adams would ever want a guy like him.
He rolled his eyes at the idea he’d be a fit partner for someone like Robert Adams. Pain sliced across his heart, stealing his breath.
No! Landon steeled his spine. He absolutely wasn’t doing this. All of these super emotional feelings were just an infatuation bubbling up because
