“Does this hurt?” he asked as he manipulated her foot. “Does this?”
She answered his questions, then looked at Kane. He felt the impact of her gaze all the way down to his groin. Funny how Marina was similar in appearance, but nothing about her turned him on. Yet with Willow, all it took was a look.
Dr. Greenberg continued his exam for a couple more minutes, then patted her knee. “You’ll live. It’s a minor sprain. You have some swelling, which should go away in the next couple of days. Keep doing what you’re doing. Elevation and ice. You’ll be better in the morning.”
“It hurts,” Willow said with a soft whimper.
The doctor smiled. “I remember how badly you handle pain. You’re the one who cried before I ever gave you a shot when you were little.” He dug around in his case and handed her a sample pack of pills. “These will help. Take them now and then don’t even think about driving until tomorrow. You’re going to be out of it.”
She smiled. “You’ve been very good to me.”
“I know.” He stood, bent over and kissed her cheek. “Try not to be such a klutz.”
“I didn’t do this on purpose.”
“But you still do it.”
Naomi hurried over. “Thank you so much for coming.”
The doctor shrugged. “I’ve known them nearly all their lives. They’re like my girls, too. I’m going back to the office.”
“I’ll be there within the hour,” Naomi promised.
Both women fluttered around, bringing Willow water so she could take her pill, more ice, a snack. Kane stayed in the background, watching them move so easily through his place—as if they’d been here before. Or maybe that was the way of nurturers. They were comfortable wherever they went.
At last Marina left, leaving only Willow and her mother. Naomi beckoned him into the kitchen.
“Thank you for all your help,” she began. “I’m sorry we’ve all invaded you like this.”
“It’s fine,” he said, when what he was thinking was more along the lines of “you could be gone now.”
“I’ll just get her things and take her home.”
Kane eyed the woman. She was about five-five and in decent shape, but there was no way she could carry her daughter.
“I’ll do that,” he said, knowing it was the only way. “You can’t carry her inside.”
“Oh.” Naomi looked concerned. “I hadn’t thought about that. With her foot and all…Can she hop?”
“Not well. Don’t worry. I’ll get her home.”
“If you’re sure…” She glanced at her watch and he knew she was thinking she had to get back to work.
“Ask Willow if she’s comfortable with that arrangement,” he said.
Naomi nodded, then walked back into the living room. Kane followed her and watched as Willow and her mother spoke.
“I’ll be fine,” Willow said, glancing at him, her blue eyes bright with anticipation and humor.
He narrowed his gaze. What the hell was she planning now?
Naomi hugged her daughter, then walked over to him and held out her hand. “You’ve been very kind. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Not a problem.”
“Good luck with the cat and her kittens. They’re going to be a handful.”
As they wouldn’t still be here while they were growing up, he didn’t care.
Then she was gone and he was alone with Willow.
“Sorry about everyone coming by,” she said.
“No, you’re not. You invited them all. You wanted them to come.”
“Okay. Maybe. I had to be sure I wasn’t dying.”
“Sprained ankles are rarely fatal.”
“At least they brought food.” She smiled. “You like food.”
“How do you know?”
“You’re a guy. It’s a guy thing.”
“I’m going to get the cat food,” he said and turned back to the kitchen.
“You haven’t fed her yet?” Willow sounded outraged.
He held in a groan. “Of course I fed the cat. I’m going to collect the food so you can have it.”
“I don’t eat cat food.”
She was doing this on purpose. He knew that. She thought baiting him was a fun, new game.
“It’s for the cat,” he said patiently.
“The cat’s not coming home with me. My building doesn’t allow pets, which is one of the reasons I rented there. That and the amazing backyard. I turned it into a garden and it’s so beautiful. But there are a lot of plants that would be poisonous to a kitten. Not that I wouldn’t love one. But I know better. If I rescue one cat, soon I’ll want to rescue them all. Then there are dogs and birds and it could really turn into a disaster.”
He rarely got headaches, but he could feel one coming on.
“I’m not keeping the cat.”
“You have to,” she told him. “The kittens are too young to be moved. They have to be warm and they need their mom. Oh, do you have a hot water bottle to put in the box, because that would be great.”
He could hear a strange buzzing in his ears. “Aren’t there rescue places?”
“Sure, but they’re already busy with real strays. This cat has a home, at least until the babies are older.”
“They don’t have a home here.”
She stared at him, wide-eyed. He knew he was being manipulated and knew he wasn’t going to give in.
“I don’t do cats,” he said firmly. “Not this one, not any one.”
“That’s so mean.”
She spoke softly. He barely heard the words, yet it was as if she’d slapped him. Her blue eyes darkened with disappointment and she seemed to shrink into the chair.
“All right,” she told him. “Just get the cat supplies together. I’ll figure out something.”
He’d led men into more dangerous parts of the world than most people knew about. He’d killed to stay alive and had been left for dead more than
