When Hearts Collide - By James, Kendra Page 0,38
the blush rise in her cheeks. Reaching out, he closed his hand around hers. Her hand was warm and soft and he didn’t want to let go, but he forced himself to give it a quick squeeze and then released it. “Don’t worry, Molly, I’m not going to take advantage of the situation.” He winked. “Not that I wouldn’t want to.”
When she grinned back, a grin that set her emerald green eyes twinkling, she reminded him more of a mischievous elf than an angel. He didn’t want to add how difficult a task not taking advantage of her might be.
He needed to change the direction his mind was traveling before he couldn’t hide the evidence of his raised testosterone levels. “You want some coffee?” he asked. “I think I could manage to make some.”
The crutches made a hollow clip clop on the ceramic tile as Pearce made his way to the kitchen. He could do this. He was capable of making coffee, and a simple lunch.
He leaned his crutches against the counter and started opening cupboards. He pulled down the coffee and a couple of plates. After setting the coffee going, he slid a crutch under one arm, grabbed the plates, and turned to put them on the table. The rubber tip of the crutch caught on the floor, then the plates were slipping out of his sweat-covered palm. The crash of the plates shattering into a hundred jagged pieces almost covered the sound of his cursing.
He slumped against the counter and used the crutch in an attempt to gather the broken pieces into a pile. The crutch flew out of his grasp, went spiraling across the floor, then he was following. Another loud crash as he hit the floor, another curse, then came the sounds of running footsteps.
He had to get up. His leg hurt, his butt hurt, and worse than both, his pride hurt. Was he not even capable of making a simple lunch? He looked around. Where was that cursed crutch? It lay on the floor several feet away. Could he shuffle across the floor on his butt and get it? Could he reach it and be back on his feet before Molly found him and his pride suffered even more? He bent his good knee and did a clumsy shuffle across the floor.
But Molly was at the doorway, her face etched with concern. “Are you okay?”
He glared at her. “I’m fine. I like pretending I’m a crab.”
“Do you want help?”
“No!”
Pearce glared at her. But she must have dealt with worse patients than him, for she just stood at the doorway, unfazed. He could see the grin she tried unsuccessfully to control. He must look quite the sight, but he wasn’t in the mood to laugh at the situation—feeling helpless was definitely not something he enjoyed.
“Just leave me alone.”
He saw her grin fade and the hurt look in her eyes. He even saw the tear that threatened. Pearce shook his head. How could he be so cruel? She didn’t deserve his outburst. She’d done so much for him, and none of this was her fault.
“I’ve got to learn to do this myself.” He could feel his facial muscles tighten.
“You do.” She nodded. “But you don’t have to learn it all today. I can see you’re not used to needing, or accepting, help.”
“What was your first clue?”
Molly shrugged her shoulders and tipped her head to one side. Her green eyes twinkled, and her laugh was like the tinkle of fine crystal. “It might have been the string of foul language, or the thunderous look on your face, or the pleasant tone of your voice.”
He sighed and looked up at her. “I guess you’re right. Anything else you’ve learned about me?”
“You’re determined, stubborn.”
She opened her mouth as if to say more. Pearce wondered if she had more attributes to disclose and whether they would be positive or negative. But she must have thought better of getting too personal as she changed the subject.
“I told you I could stay until you get on your feet and learn to manage better on crutches.”
“I’m stubborn. I’m grumpy. And I’m determined to beat this.” He waved at his cast and the abandoned crutch. “I’ll learn.” He smiled up at her. “But I am grateful you’re staying on.”
Pearce knew he needed help, not only for himself but also for Gracie, yet for some reason he couldn’t understand why he was so reluctant to have Molly leave. He would like to get to know