Michael's Discovery - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,50
sessions.”
“Why would that bother me?”
She struggled with a grin. “No reason. You just seem a little off this morning.”
“I’ve been a little off ever since I got shot,” he retorted. “Or hadn’t you noticed?”
“Well, of course, I have no way of knowing what your disposition was like prior to your getting shot, but you seem a little crankier than usual today, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
Michael sighed. “Would it stop you if I did mind?”
She laughed. “Not likely.” Her gaze suddenly turned serious. “Why don’t you just admit you’re crazy about her? It would be a lot easier on everyone, you included.”
“I can’t be crazy about her,” he said flatly.
“Why on earth not?”
He scowled at the question. “Do you even have to ask? She doesn’t need an out-of-work man who can’t even stand on his own two feet in her life.”
Maggie shook her head. “There are so many things wrong with that statement, I hardly know where to begin.”
“I don’t suppose you could be persuaded to keep all of them to yourself?”
“Oh, please,” she said, regarding him with disdain. “First, if not having a job is an issue, get one. Ryan’s friend is still anxious to talk to you. Second, you’ll be back on your feet eventually, so that’s a ridiculous excuse. And third, you need to stop feeling so blasted sorry for yourself and think about Kelly’s feelings for a change. You’re selling her short. You’re assuming that she’s some superficial twit who cares only about whether you have a good job or can run a marathon.”
“I never said any such thing,” he retorted indignantly.
“Maybe not in so many words, but the message is clear, just the same.”
“It’s not about her, it’s about me,” he said with frustration.
“Well, it’s time to get over yourself, Devaney, and get on with the business of living.”
“Have you ever considered a military career?” he inquired, more shaken by the scolding than he’d ever been by a dressing down from a superior officer in the navy.
“Nope. Couldn’t take the discipline,” she said at once.
“Then find some small country that needs a dictator. You’d be good at it.”
She laughed. “If I get tired of running a pub with your brother, I’ll keep that in mind. I’m not the one who’s averse to considering other options,” she said as she pulled to a stop in front of the clinic. “I’ll get your wheelchair out of the back. Do you need help getting inside?”
He considered the doors and the challenge in Maggie’s eyes. “I’ll manage,” he said tightly.
“Good answer,” she said and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Oddly enough, her approval made him feel marginally better as he went inside to face Kelly.
He spotted her at once, working with a young girl whose gait was awkward as she clung to two metal rails on either side of her. The girl couldn’t have been more than sixteen and her brow was furrowed in concentration as she struggled to put one foot in front of the other and inch along between the bars. She hadn’t gone more than a couple of feet, when Kelly beamed at her and patted her hand.
“Good work, Jennifer,” she praised as she helped her into a wheelchair and took her over to a woman who’d been watching the scene with a shattered expression on her face.
Kelly smiled at the older woman. “Great progress today, don’t you think?”
“Wonderful,” the woman said, forcing a smile for the girl.
Jennifer searched the older woman’s face as if she were looking for signs that she wasn’t telling the truth, but the smile never wavered, and eventually Jennifer’s lips curved into a half smile.
“I’m going to walk again, Mom. I really am,” she said with gritty determination.
“Of course, you are,” Kelly agreed. “I’ll see you again on Saturday.”
Shaken by the entire scene, Michael waited until they’d gone before joining Kelly.
“What happened to her?” he asked.
“Automobile accident,” she said succinctly.
“How long ago?”
“About the same time as your injuries.”
He caught the underlying message without her having to spell it out for him. Young Jennifer was braver and more determined than he was. In that instant, he knew what real shame felt like.
“Okay, then,” he told her. “Let’s get to work and get me up to speed.” His gaze locked with hers. “After that we need to talk.”
“No, we don’t,” she said emphatically.
Michael’s leg might be all but useless, but his arms were as strong as ever. He latched on to her hand and tugged until she was standing right in