if I work out later in the afternoon. I guess I just want to do something…normal.”
Shit! My damn chest hurt as I watched her rub her upper arms like she was chilled to the bone.
Everything was foreign to her right now.
The hospital.
My home.
The hospital gown she was still wearing.
Her inability to move around on her own.
Her mind that kept going back to everything she’d been through.
I was a guy who kept a rigorous schedule, all day, every day.
So it wasn’t like I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes right now.
I’d just never experienced some of the traumatic events she’d suffered.
Bottom line: She felt like she’d lost complete control of her life, and she needed me to give her some of that power back.
Truth was, I didn’t want to see her like this, feeling like she was helpless to make a single decision in her life.
I’d observed her long enough to realize that she was used to being organized and focused.
And right now, everything she knew about herself was…shaken.
“I’ll help you,” I conceded. “No walking. I’ll help you get to the shower and back in bed. And I’m not leaving you alone. I’ll wait for you until you’re finished.”
If she was going to fall, I was going to be there before she hit the ground.
Her face fell. “I don’t want this to cause you more work. I can do it on my own. I’m sure I can make it—”
“No deal,” I interrupted curtly.
“So it’s your way or the highway?” she asked, not sounding the least bit upset. “Because you’re afraid I’ll hurt myself?”
“Pretty much,” I shot back. “I want you to be able to do exactly as you please. I wish to hell you could just do whatever you want, but that’s not even reasonable right now, Taylor. You need help doing anything right now, but this isn’t going to last forever.”
She looked away from me, and paused for a moment before she finally said, “You’re right. I can live without the shower right now. If I was in your position, I’d probably say the same thing, but these sheets are so clean.” She ran a hand over the pristine, crisp bottom sheet that matched the room décor.
Her voice was so damn melancholy that I couldn’t stand it. “We can do it; you’re just going to have to put up with me helping you during the whole process.”
She let out a squeak of surprise as I scooped her up and carried her toward the bathroom.
They’d pulled her IV right before she left the hospital. As long as she was drinking the required amount of fluids every day, she wouldn’t need it anymore.
“I said I could go without it,” she scolded as I set her down on the large marble seat in the shower. “You’ve put that strong back to work quite enough for me over the last day or two.”
I lifted her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Taylor, have I ever complained about that?”
Eyes wide, she whispered, “No. I don’t think you’re the complaining type. But don’t you dare think that I don’t see everything you’re doing to help me, even if you don’t bitch about it. But I’m telling you right here, right now, that when I’m feeling better, ask me for anything, and I’ll do it. At least three big favors, and nothing is off-limits, Hudson. I doubt I’ll ever be able to do anything that saves your life like you’ve done for me, but if you need something done, I’m your go-to-woman for anything. Promise me.”
Her expression was so fervent that I diverted my gaze. “I can pay someone to do almost anything I want. I think you can reach the shower controls. Toss your gown out when you’re ready. I’ll be waiting right here in the bathroom when your done. You need me, you call me.”
“Well, that was a total brush-off,” she sniffed testily as she crossed her bruised-up arms over her chest. “Promise me, Hudson.”
“Fine!” I said, sounding a little impatient. Really, I wasn’t mad at her. I just wasn’t accustomed to anyone offering to do me a big favor free gratis, much less three of them. “I promise.”
Did it really matter what I promised if I was never going to cash in on that promise anyway?
“Thank you,” she murmured softly.
I shook my head, “For what?”
“For everything,” she said, her voice completely sincere.
“I told you not to thank me,” I said gruffly as I closed the shower door.