His friends had insisted on taking him straight to an emergency room. Now he was back on crutches for a week or so, under doctor’s orders to keep the leg elevated as much as possible and to take it easy for a while. Considering how busy he was with work at the moment, that wasn’t going to be easy.
Tonight he planned on relaxing with a hot shower, a cold beer and a baseball game on the TV while propping his leg on an ottoman. He hoped he wouldn’t feel obliged to entertain the guests staying on his second floor that night. Every once in a while, being the gracious host, at work and now even in his home, became utterly exhausting.
“I’d hardly call it hovering for me to just do my job,” his housekeeper muttered. With an emphatic thump, she deposited a tray on the low table in front of the easy chair in Trevor’s suite.
The driver he’d arranged to collect him at the airport had dropped him off at home an hour ago, and Mary Pat hadn’t left him alone since. She’d turned down his bed, fluffed his pillows and made sure he had water, pain meds, crutches, his cell phone and the TV remote within easy reach. As she’d said, it was her job. He just wished she wouldn’t be quite so conscientious for an hour or two while he sulked in private.
He hadn’t seen Jade or the kids since he’d returned. It was after nine, so maybe Jade was putting the kids to bed. Or maybe they were just thoughtfully staying out of his way.
Hands on her ample hips, Mary Pat displayed her frequent uncanny ability to know what he was thinking. “I advised Jade and the kids to give you some space this evening. I knew what kind of mood you’d be in. Jade told me to be sure and let you know she’s right upstairs if you need anything tonight. She’s a nurse, you know.”
“I don’t need a nurse. And I’m not in a mood.” He had to suppress a wince when he heard his own grumpy tone.
His housekeeper rolled her eyes expressively. “Oh, no, of course you’re not. Now, do you need anything else or are you going to snarl at me just for asking?”
“I don’t need anything else. Thank you, Mary Pat,” he added, apologetic.
“You’re welcome, hon.” She patted him on the shoulder, letting him know she understood his grouchiness was spurred by pain and frustration. Which made him feel even guiltier about taking it out on her. “And notice that I’m not saying a word about how you shouldn’t have been on that surfboard thing at all.”
Trevor grunted, knowing the lectures would come, both from his housekeeper and his mother. Maybe even from assorted friends and staff.
Mary Pat continued, “You shoot me a text or call me if you need anything at all later, you got it? Even if it’s in the middle of the night.”
“I’ll be fine, but thanks.”
Giving him a final pat, she bade him good-night and let herself out of his suite. As soon as the door closed behind her, he allowed himself one low moan when he shifted his throbbing leg on the ottoman, adjusting the ice pack covering his knee. He wore shorts and a T-shirt, baring his scarred leg for the treatment, and still the cold wasn’t helping much. The pain meds he’d been given at the hospital were wearing off, but he didn’t want to take more unless it became absolutely necessary.
He was aware that his disposition was growing darker by the moment. His business trip hadn’t gone particularly well, he’d foolishly reinjured his leg, he’d snapped unfairly at Mary Pat and there were guests in his home, so he had to be on his best behavior until he was back on his feet, regardless of his mood. The whole point of owning a house fifteen miles from the resort was to have a refuge where he could get away for a few hours from polite small talk, incessant smiles and perpetual hosting.
A quiet tap on his door deepened his scowl. It didn’t sound like Mary Pat’s usual firm rap. Had Jade come down to check on him? If so, it was thoughtful of her but not the greatest timing. Still, it would be rude to ignore her. Forcing himself into his usual practiced-host demeanor, he said, “Come in.”
The door opened slowly, but he had to lower his gaze to identify the visitor, who was much shorter than he’d expected. “Bella? Are you lost?”
The child stepped fully into the room, her expression tentative, one hand behind her back. He noted that she was dressed in blue pajamas decorated with leaping dolphins, and he wondered if she was supposed to be in bed.
“Is there something I can do for you?” he asked, though he wasn’t sure how much assistance he could provide at the moment.
“Mommy said you got hurt,” she said, her voice so soft he had to strain to listen. She pointed to his elevated right leg. “Does it hurt bad?”
“It’s felt better,” he answered candidly, “but I’ll be okay.”
Her brown eyes looked huge as she gazed at him with sympathy. “Were you trying to do a cartwheel?”
Reminded of their conversation the day they’d met, he smiled. “No, I wasn’t trying a cartwheel. But perhaps you can show me how you do them sometime.”
“Mommy says I have to do cartwheels outside unless I’m at gymnastics class,” she informed him solemnly.
“Then you can show me outside when we get the chance.” He studied her more closely. “What do have behind your back?” he asked in a casual tone.
Keeping her eyes focused hard on his face, as if to judge his reaction, she brought her hand around to show him a stuffed brown bear. “I brought this for you,” she replied in little more than a whisper.
Confused, he looked more closely at the bear. Looking well-loved, it was dressed in a pink T-shirt bearing the words Get Well Soon.
“GamGam gave me this when I had tonslisus,” Bella added earnestly. “It made me feel better. Maybe it will help your leg not hurt so much.”
Mentally translating tonslisus to tonsillitis, Trevor swallowed hard as he tried to come up with the proper response to her touching gesture. “That’s very kind of you, Bella. Thank you. Um—does your mother know you’re down here?”
Stepping closer to his chair, she set the bear carefully on his ottoman, next to his ice-pack-covered knee. “I don’t know.”
Which meant no, he decided. With a sigh, he reached for the crutches lying beside his chair. “I’ll take you back upstairs.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Jade stood in the doorway to his suite. Her arms crossed over her chest, Jade eyed her youngest in disapproval. “Bella, I’ve been looking all over for you! What on earth are you doing down here? Didn’t I tell you we have to leave Mr. Farrell alone?”
“You said he was hurt,” Bella argued. “So I brought Dr. Bear to make him feel better.”
“Oh. Well. You still shouldn’t have come down without telling me.” Jade shot a quick glance at Trevor, then motioned toward the door. “Back to bed, young lady. I’ll be up in a few minutes to make sure you’re tucked in.”
Bella took off without another word, leaving Trevor grinning despite himself. He stifled the smile when Jade looked around at him again.
“I’m sorry. I thought Bella was in bed until Erin let me know she was missing. I was in the rec room watching a TV show with Caleb.”
He
