Mason looked up from where he was bundling fallen palm branches to drag them to the street to be picked up later by the town. Zoe came walking across the grassy area, a smile on her face.
His breath caught at the sight of her. Her hair whipped around in the breeze that had picked up and she caught it with one hand as she crossed the distance. One delicate hand, with those long fingers of hers that he loved to lace with his own.
How had he let her get under his skin so quickly? She walked up to him and he grabbed her hand, glancing around briefly. When he didn’t see anyone, he kissed her quickly, though he wanted to linger there. Kiss her again. And maybe again. But he resisted. Kind of. One more quick kiss.
“Well, that’s a nice hello.” Her mouth played in a smile and her eyes sparkled.
And her eyes. He could get lost in those eyes.
And when had he become some kind of romantic fool?
“Let me help you,” she offered.
“You don’t need to. You could just sit and keep me company.”
“No, I want to help. I’ll go get those branches over there.” She pointed to a tree a short distance away.
He knew better than to argue with her, so he nodded. He watched her walk away, her long, tanned legs stretching out with each stride. A gust of wind tossed her hair again, and she grabbed at it, holding it in one hand. She leaned over to pick up a palm branch and he watched her every move.
He really should get back to work, but he couldn’t resist watching her. Staring at her, really. A funny flip of his heart didn’t help things. She wove some kind of spell over him.
He leaned down to pick up a branch at his feet, and as he straightened, his heart started pounding. Was that tree… falling? Headed right in Zoe’s direction? “Zoe, watch out.”
He dropped the branch and sprinted toward her, watching in shock as a nearby palm tree began to tilt next to her. “The tree,” he shouted as loudly as he could, waving his arms to get her attention.
She turned to glance at him and then whirled back around, seeing the tree, her arms raised above her.
Her scream tore at his very soul.
“Zoe.”
He raced the final steps. “Zoe.” He dug through the palm fronds, clearing them away until he saw her face. “Zoe.” She lay there, her eyes closed, blood across her forehead.
She opened her eyes. “Well, that was… scary.”
“Are you okay?” She wasn’t. There was blood.
“I think so.”
He dug around in the foliage, moving back branches. The main trunk had barely missed crushing her. She was just covered with the top branches. At least she hadn’t been crushed. He thought he might faint then as the relief swelled through him. Some hero he was. All he could think was he could have lost her.
“Let me get you out of there.” He bent back branches and tore at them, clearing the way.
She reached out a hand and he took it in his. Firmly. He didn’t ever want to let her go. She scrambled to her feet and landed against him. He wrapped her in his arms and held her tightly.
He could hear voices calling in the distance, but he ignored them. Ignored everything but this woman in his arms. He pulled back slightly and gently swept her hair away from her face. “Are you okay?”
“I am. I think I am. It just… wow.” She gave him a weak smile.
His father came racing up to him. “I looked out and saw the tree down. Saw Mason digging through it. Are you okay?” His dad frowned. “No, you’re not. You’re bleeding.”
“I am?” Zoe looked down at the blood on her shirt.
“We need to get you checked out.” Mason carefully looked her over. “It’s here. There’s a gash on your arm.”
Zoe looked at her arm. “Well, there is.”
“Come on, let’s take her inside.” His dad motioned toward the inn.
Mason wrapped an arm firmly around Zoe’s waist and they slowly made their way inside. With each step, he told himself to calm down. That she was okay. But he couldn’t help but notice the tremble in his hands as he carefully supported her along the walkway.
Chapter 22
Zoe thought she might scream if everyone didn’t stop hovering over her. She knew they meant well, but she was okay. Really. As she kept telling them.
She looked up to see Noah rushing in through the main door.
“Zoe, Lil called. Are you okay?” Her uncle raced over and sank to his knees in front of her.
“I’m fine.” See, she would just keep repeating it until someone believed her.
“What’s that?” He eyed the bandage on her arm.
“It’s just a little cut.”
“It’s not so little,” Lillian contradicted her. “But I cleaned it up and bandaged it for her.”
“Does she need to see Dr. Harden?” Noah’s brow creased.
“No. I don’t,” Zoe insisted.
“Lillian said a tree fell on you?” Noah scanned her slowly, carefully.
“It mostly missed me.” She shrugged.
“Well, I’ve come to take you home.”
“Nah, all my stuff is here. I’m fine.” Her voice was a tad bit shakier than she’d like.
“I’ll collect your things. Or you can come back later and get them. You’re coming home with me.” Noah’s voice didn’t hold any room for argument.
But she didn’t want to leave. She looked over at Mason who gave her a nod. What did that nod mean? That he wanted her to stay? That she should leave with Noah?
“I’ll get her things and bring them over. How about that?” Mason offered.
Ah, he was fine with her leaving. Okay, then. Perfect. That’s fine. Really it was. He didn’t care if she left… on what might be their last day together.
Noah reached out and helped her up. “That would be great. Thanks.” He turned to Lillian. “And thank
