When Hearts Collide - By James, Kendra Page 0,46
needed it, she left out a pain pill.
Pearce grew more independent every day, and he should be able to get himself into bed without too much trouble. Looking around the room, everything seemed in order. The door was slightly ajar, and Molly heard the tapping of Pearce’s crutches as he came along the hallway. Then he pushed the door all the way open.
Pearce found it hard enough to keep his eyes off Molly in casual clothes, but this vision facing him made it impossible. Copper highlights glinted in the hair that floated in a thick cloud around her face. She wore it loose, and the crimson waves cascading over shoulders gleamed the color of cinnamon. He wanted to reach out and stroke the long strands. As she came toward him, the red silk of her dress swished around her, clinging to her hips, accentuating every luscious curve. The swish of silk, a whisper that screamed at him.
Every cell in his body remained on full alert; every cell felt the need to hold her against him. He wanted to cross to her and pull her into his arms. This was his angel, yet she’d dressed for someone else. Pearce couldn’t help the pangs of jealousy he felt. He made his way slowly toward the bed.
Molly filled a glass of water from the ice pitcher and slid it along the table before turning to Pearce. “I’ve read Gracie a story. She’s sleeping.”
He watched in dismay as she went toward the door. “Do you have everything you need?”
How did he tell her no, that he needed her? That he needed her to stay here with him, needed her to look after him, needed her not be out gallivanting with his doctor. But how could he tell her that she was all he needed, especially when he couldn’t yet admit it to himself?
“Will you be all right while I’m gone?” Molly asked.
“Humph. I guess I’ll have to be, won’t I?”
She started at his angry tone. She had a sudden urge to throw the glass of water at him, the ungrateful sod. She deserved time off. She’d put her life on hold to look after him and his child, and this was the thanks she got. She’d barely had a minute to herself since the night of the accident. All she wanted was a few hours away. What a selfish, insufferable man he was. He should apologize. He didn’t.
“I deserve time off.” She glared at him. “What I do with it is none of your business. Neither is where I go, or who I go with.”
She didn’t deserve the snarl he answered with, but again he didn’t apologize.
Doctor Graham appeared right at seven-thirty, almost as if he’d waited until the exact moment to ring the doorbell. Glad she’d decided to start getting ready well ahead of time, she pulled the door open before the bell chimed again. He was dressed in casual slacks and a golf shirt. She wondered if she’d overdressed, but the appraising look in his eyes told Molly her efforts hadn’t been wasted.
Still light out, they had a pleasant drive around the countryside. He showed her the usual tourist attractions—a stone church built in 1891, the MacDonald Art Centre, the civic museum. They walked through Riverside Park on the shores of Lake Scugog investigating the local shops. By the time they arrived at the Aberfoyle Mill, Molly had worked up a healthy appetite.
Molly felt like she’d stepped back in history. With its the limestone exterior, gothic windows, and gleaming antiques, the Aberfoyle capture the aura of a Victorian era. The hostess led them to a table near the back of the restaurant. Subdued lighting and expensive linens added an intimacy to the atmosphere. Molly had the baked salmon with spinach and goat cheese stuffing. He had the seared duck with pinot noir. Both were delicious. The shared bottle of a local Chardonnay enhanced their enjoyment of the evening.
“So, Molly, what do you do to switch off from work mode?”
“I like to read and travel. What about you?”
“I bike. Do a bit of golfing, spend time with friends.” He took a sip of wine. “Do you think you might stay in the area?” His tone stayed casual, but Molly sensed he might be throwing out a line, seeing if she would take the bait.
“Rita wants me to apply for a job, but I’m not sure. It is a nice area, and the hospital is quite modern.”
“We work hard to keep up our