“I’m going to wash up first.” Seth brought his arm to his nose and sniffed the singed fabric. “Ivy’s right. I do stink.”
“You smell like smoke,” Lauren clarified. “You do not stink.”
“Yes, he does,” Ivy piped up, making a pony gallop across the table.
“That clinches it.” His familiar smile flashed. “Shower first. Then food.”
“Are you up to showering?” She didn’t want to second-guess him, but his unsteadiness in the entry way worried her.
“I have to be.” Seth may have lifted his chin in a determined tilt but Lauren could see the uncertainty in his eyes. He was nowhere near as confident as he appeared. “I’ll feel better once I’m clean.”
Lauren thought for a moment, analyzing the problem, searching for a workable solution. “You can use the shower down here.”
“That’s for Ivy.”
“I’m sure she’ll share,” Lauren said, shooting a wink at the child.
“You can have anything of mine, Daddy,” Ivy assured him. “Except for my dolls. You wouldn’t like them, anyway. They’re more for girls than boys.”
“The bathroom has a shower chair and grab bars for Ivy’s injury,” Lauren reminded him. “You can sit while you’re washing up. If you get light-headed, at least you won’t fall.”
“Miss Lauren could help you,” Ivy said, her eyes filled with innocence. “She could wash your back and your hair like you do for me.”
Seth’s cheeks darkened, and if Lauren didn’t know better, she’d think the cowboy was blushing. “I can manage on my own, princess.”
Ivy’s nose wrinkled. “You better go now, Daddy. The ponies say you’re making the room smell bad.”
“I’m headed there now.” Using the table for leverage, Seth pushed to his feet.
Lauren narrowed her gaze. She watched the way he swayed before regaining his balance, and took note of his paleness.
“Ivy, will you stay at the table and play while I talk to your father?”
“Sure.” Ivy whinnied like a horse before bringing two ponies together to kiss.
“I’m just fine,” Seth spoke quietly between gritted teeth.
Lauren slipped her arm through his, ignoring the protest.
“I can manage—”
“Look.” Lauren pulled out the firm, no-nonsense tone she reserved for the unruly students in the classes she taught. “I’m not about to hop into the shower with you. Not even if you say pretty please. Understand?”
Seth’s serious expression eased into a smile. “I don’t know if I should be disappointed or relieved.”
“Definitely disappointed,” Lauren shot back, pleased when he laughed. Sorry when he started coughing.
Yet somehow, without her quite realizing how it had happened, they were back on their old footing. It was as if the proposition had never taken place. Her heart lifted.
The walk-in shower was off the room where Ivy now slept. While Seth sat on the bed and caught his breath, Lauren checked the shower. Soap was there, but no shampoo. Unless he wanted to use Ivy’s Strawberry Shortcake brand. She grinned at the thought.
“I’ll run upstairs and get your shampoo,” Lauren told him. “And some clean clothes for you.”
“You don’t have to—”
“No worries,” Lauren said lightly. “I’ll be back in a flash.”
She was relieved he remained seated as she left the room. Though she was sure he’d be okay in the few minutes she’d be gone, Lauren took the stairs two at a time.
Rummaging through his closets and drawers, she found a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved cotton shirt, the same color as his eyes. She was ready to head to the bathroom for the shampoo when she realized he’d need underwear, too. Unless he was the type who liked to go commando.
The thought of his bare skin beneath tight-fitting jeans sent heat coursing through her veins. But she forced the thought aside and grabbed the first pair of boxers she found.
Minutes later, with a towel and a bottle of shampoo perched precariously atop the stack of clothes, Lauren returned to Seth.
He was still sitting where she’d left him and she was pleased to see that some color had returned to his cheeks. When he’d first arrived, she’d been so happy to see him that she thought he looked wonderful. Now she realized Ivy had been right.
His dark blond hair was a dusty gray. They must have washed his face at the medical center because it was clean, but his neck still held a coat of grime, as did his clothes.
She’d barely entered the room when he began coughing again. By the time the jag ended, what little color he’d gained had left his face.
“I’m putting the shampoo in the shower where it’ll be easy to reach.” Lauren tried not to let her apprehension show. Was he really strong enough to shower by himself? “I’ll make sure the sprayer is right next to the chair and the water isn’t too hot.”
“Thanks, Lauren.” Seth offered her a wan smile. “Forget what I said earlier. I’m not sure I could do this without you.”
Instead of finding the comment reassuring, Lauren’s fears escalated. He must be feeling pretty bad to admit he needed assistance.
“We need to get you undressed.” Lauren placed her hands on her hips. “Can you get those jeans off yourself or do you want my help?”
Chapter Ten
Seth wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. After all, hadn’t he made it clear in the kitchen that he’d be showering alone? Still, an enticing image of the two of them, naked beneath a stream of water, flashed before him. For a second, he was tempted to reconsider.
“You’re not coming in with me.” He spoke quickly before he could weaken.
“Oh, darn. That would have been so much fun.” Lauren spoke flippantly, snapping her fingers. “Especially with you at the top of your game.”
He wasn’t sure how debilitated she thought he was, but the part of him straining against the zipper of his jeans wasn’t showing any sign of weakness.
“Just to clarify, I’m not planning on stripping you down naked,” Lauren continued, her tone now matter-of-fact. “I’ll help you with your boots, pants and shirt. Beyond that, cowboy, you’re on your own.”
Seth considered his options. Though he tried hard to hide it, he hadn’t
