If We Never Met (Whisper Lake #5) - Barbara Freethy Page 0,14

another month, it would probably be packed.

His phone vibrated as he took his acai and strawberry smoothie to a nearby table. The Denver number was familiar—it belonged to his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Grayson Cole. They were only a few years apart in age and over the past seven weeks, they'd become more than doctor/patient; they'd also become friends. Grayson had played baseball through college and understood his love of the sport and how much he needed to get back to doing what he did best.

"Checking up on me?" he asked. "Or did Rita and Marian call you to tell you that I'm their worst patient?"

"I haven't spoken to your therapists yet. I wanted to hear from you first," Grayson replied. "How was the assessment?"

"I thought it would be easier than it was. I don't have pain anymore doing normal things, but I guess I haven't been pressing my arm that much. It was a bit of a shock to realize how far I still have to go."

"You'll make good progress. You're in excellent physical shape, and you have a work ethic and a determination that will take you a long way."

"My dad used to say I was a stubborn ass, so maybe that will help me now."

"It will. What do you think of Whisper Lake?"

"It's charming. It feels like everyone is on vacation. And your sister has been very welcoming."

"That's Lizzie. Every one of her guests is treated like family."

"She probably treats me better than my family," he said lightly. "Your sister is always inviting me to have wine or cookies. I may be ten pounds heavier by the end of this."

"Well, try to have some fun while you're there. I have to run now. I will be checking in with your therapists over the next week, and I'll be in Whisper Lake in about ten days to check on you in person." Grayson paused. "By the way, Chuck Walters has been calling me, asking me for updates. I told him he'd have to get those from you."

He sighed at the mention of his general manager. He was a huge supporter, but Chuck wanted answers that he didn't have. "I know. I've been avoiding him. But I will get back to him at some point." He didn't want to talk to Chuck until he'd been through at least the first week of rehab and could see what kind of progress he was making.

"Sounds good," Grayson said.

"Thanks for checking in." As he set down his phone and sipped his smoothie, he saw Keira come through the front doors, and his gut tightened. She wore a navy sleeveless top, white jeans and wedge heels, her long hair falling loose around her shoulders in messy waves, held back only by the pair of sunglasses she'd pushed up on her head. When she saw him, she stopped abruptly, then changed direction and headed to his table.

"We meet again," he drawled. "Are you looking for another date here at the rehab center?"

"Funny, no. I'm meeting Mr. Langley."

"Research?"

"Yes. I also need to find him a house, so two birds—one stone."

"I never liked that saying. I had a friend who threw a stone at a bird, and it was not pretty."

"Ugh. Now I will never use that saying again." She licked her lips. "Did you just finish a therapy session?"

"I did."

"How did it go?"

"It went."

"You really are a man of few words."

"Or perhaps you're just a woman of many words."

"That's true. I'm sorry I unloaded on you last night."

"It wasn't a problem." As she hovered, he added, "Do you want to sit?"

"Maybe for a minute. I'm a little early. Did you speak to Mr. Langley today?"

"No. I haven't seen him. What did your mother have to say about her date?"

"Not much, beyond the fact that she was having fun getting to know an old friend and I should butt out."

"And yet here you are."

"Because of the house. I'm supposed to find him one."

"But that's not your real reason; it's just what you told your mom."

She made a little face at him. "True. It's possible I'm being overly suspicious, but I have a feeling in my gut that I cannot ignore."

"If the feeling is there, you need to figure out why."

"That's what I'm going to do. If he's a legit nice guy, then maybe I won't worry about my mother. Although, she has never had the best record with men."

"Are you counting your dad?"

"No. Although, I don't actually know what their relationship was like. She doesn't talk about