When Hearts Collide - By James, Kendra Page 0,55

better, we need to take care of our nurse so she doesn’t get sick. I know I get cranky and don’t show it sometimes, but Molly, I really appreciate what you’re doing for us.”

Molly turned away so he couldn’t see the hurt in her eyes. I don’t want your appreciation. I want your love. I want to be part of your family, your life. But instead, she held those thoughts and merely said, “Gracie is such an adorable child, it’s been a pleasure looking after her.”

“Molly Mommy.” Gracie ran toward her, Trooper trotting at her side. “I thought you were going to sleep all day. Daddy wouldn’t let me wake you.”

Molly lifted Gracie and swung her around. “Well, I’m up now, Missy.” Molly laughed. “What would you like to do today?”

“Go to the beach. That’s what I want.”

“You don’t feel sick any more.”

“Nope. Feel my head.” Gracie lifted her forehead for Molly to check her temperature.

“No fever,” Molly announced. She raised an eyebrow at Peace. “You don’t mind if I take her to the beach? We won’t overdo it.”

“Of course I do. I want to come, too.”

“Are you sure you feel up to it?”

“If we go to Grand Bend, we can park the car right on the beach. I think I can crutch it a few feet. You’ll have to handle the beach gear.”

Molly made a show of flexing her biceps. His resounding chuckle cut any tension between them, and Molly couldn’t help but join in.

“Gracie, the beach is a great idea. Maybe you can help me make a picnic lunch.”

“Can I?” Gracie asked.

“Let’s see what we can find.” Gracie grabbed Molly’s hand and followed her into the kitchen. Together they pulled out bread, peanut butter, tuna, salmon, cookies, and boxed drinks. Molly set the loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter on the table as Pearce made it into the room. “One picnic lunch coming up,” she said, then asked, “Do you want tuna, salmon, or egg?”

“What choices.” A twinkle danced in his eyes, and Molly felt butterflies take flight in her stomach.

I’ll have one of each,” he said. Leaning his crutches against the table, he sat across from her. “Would you like some help?”

“Well, if you’re going to be greedy...”

“Hand me the bread, lady. And the butter.”

There was that grin again, the one that sent her senses reeling. Molly took a quick breath. It didn’t help, so she took another. She felt as if someone had her chest in a vice. Pearce wasn’t even close enough to touch her. Lately, just being in the room with him seemed to be all it took for her to have trouble breathing. And this wasn’t the type of trouble that a couple of puffs of an inhaler would help. She felt him watching her and the vice tightened.

“Are you okay?” Pearce asked.

The concern in the rich velvet of his voice sent her heart fluttering. She nodded to find her voice. She didn’t want him coming closer. That would just make it worse. She swallowed, then blurted out. “It must be the dog.”

“Maybe we have to find him a new home?”

“Oh no!” Molly wanted to kick herself. She’d said the first thing she could think of for an excuse. She wasn’t allergic to dogs. “I probably just need to give him another bath. He hasn’t been looked after for a while.”

“Are you sure?”

She raised her head to prove she was fine. “Yes, I’m okay now.” That is unless I need to speak a long sentence, or you get any closer.

“That’s good, ‘cause we’ve all got pretty used to having him around, especially Gracie.”

He leaned closer. Not only did she feel her lungs tighten, but her heart was pounding so hard she thought Pearce might hear it. Molly rose quickly and crossed to counter. Rummaging through the cutlery drawer, she gave herself a few seconds to gain control before going back to making their lunch.

It wasn’t long before they had a towering stack of sandwiches and were on their way. The beach was quiet and they were able to park near the shore. With his crutches, and Molly supporting him, Pearce made it across the uneven sand. They found a spot near the water, and Molly spread out a blanket for Gracie, and folding lawn chairs for herself and Pearce.

Molly slid an arm around Pearce’s back and held the chair while he lowered himself into it. As if her internal furnace had switched on by his closeness, searing waves