more reason than ever to go to the police. Do you have any idea how many overdoses I’ve had to deal with? Kids cutting themselves on syringes while playing God knows where?”
He closed his eyes. “I can imagine.”
She took his hand, tightening her grip on his fingers until he looked at her. “Then we need to do something about it.”
He stared at her before turning to the kitchen door. “You should go.”
Trembling with suppressed anger, Leah glared. “I just shared something personal with you to try to make you understand that things can change without warning. People’s lives are turned upside down every day. Did you think for one minute your ex would turn up here brandishing a knife?”
He stared at her, a muscle ticking in his jaw. She raised her hands in surrender. “Do you know something? Do what you want. I’m leaving. But I’ll tell you this—if your little girl ends up in the ER on my shift... God help you.”
She snatched up her purse and first aid kit before marching from the kitchen. Of all the stubborn assholes...
She gritted her teeth and opened the front door before slamming it shut behind her. Two nights she’d been to Ethan James’s home and twice she’d left thoroughly irritated.
He could deal with his own problems from now on, but if anything happened to Daisy... Leah got into her car and slammed the door. She looked in the rearview mirror toward the house. Goddamn it.
How could she leave him alone to stave off whatever danger lurked around the corner? What if knives, guns or drugs suddenly became a part of Daisy’s world?
Leah started the engine. I’m in this, mister, whether you like it or not.
* * *
SUNLIGHT CAME THROUGH the blinds in Ethan’s bedroom as his eyes flickered open. He stared at the ceiling as his conversation with Leah last night replayed in his mind. The woman seemed hell-bent on helping others, her professional obligations overriding anything he had tried to explain to her. He clenched his jaw. And along with her protests, she’d made sure he realized that there was a chance he could let Daisy down, as he had when she’d been born.
He and Leah were opposites. Their life choices and sense of purpose were so far apart he couldn’t see how they’d ever agree on anything, let alone what to do about Anna.
Taking a deep breath, he reached for his phone to scan his overnight email. That done, he checked his Twitter and Facebook, searching again for Leah as though she might have suddenly decided to join the chaos of social media overnight.
As he shut off his phone, Leah and her parting words zoomed into his mind once more. Memories of her had disturbed his sleep throughout the last two nights. He lifted his injured hand. He’d been sufficiently careful to avoid any further bleeding, so at least Leah’s fiery temper wouldn’t be aimed at him for neglecting to look after her handiwork.
Shoving back the covers, he got out of bed and padded into his en suite bathroom.
Once showered and dressed, he grabbed his phone from his bed and went to check on Daisy. He quietly pushed open her bedroom door.
“Hey, sweetheart. How long have you been awake?” He approached her bed, to find the quilt covered in shredded toilet paper and three of her Barbies wrapped in three-ply bondage. He smiled. “Are they Egyptian mummies or sick?”
She scowled, a line darting between her perfect eyebrows. “They’re sick. I’m making them better, like Leah did you.”
“Right.” He stared at her dark curls as she bent over one of the dolls, her tongue poking from between her lips as she wound some toilet paper around one of the Barbies’ legs. “What happened there?”
“She fell over the edge of Clover Point and broke her leg.”
“Ah, nasty.”
“Yep, but Leah operated and sewed her back up. I’m her helper.”
“Uh-huh.” Ethan bit back his smile. “Do you want some breakfast, Nurse Daisy?”
“Yep. Pancakes and strawberries.”
“Coming right up. I’ll call you when it’s on the table.”
“Okay, Daddy. I mean, Mr. James.”
With love for his daughter squeezing his chest, Ethan resisted the urge to kiss her, knowing from Daisy’s expression it wouldn’t be welcomed in the middle of such a delicate operation. Leaving her room, he walked downstairs into the kitchen.
Just as he put his phone on the counter, it beeped with an incoming text.
Good morning. As it’s such a nice day and we parted on pretty bad terms, I was wondering if you and Daisy would like to meet me for a picnic on the beach. I promise not to beat up on you again...well, not too much anyway. Leah x
Slowly, he put the phone on the counter as though it was a ticking bomb. He’d vowed to find a way to keep distance between them. All night he’d battled to find a solution for his hand healing without infection, but not involving Leah, a doctor or any other damn medic. How could he be certain any of them wouldn’t call the police as Leah wanted to?
Now she held out an olive branch.
No matter how tempted he was to accept her invitation, he had to refuse—had to maintain his determination to enforce some distance for all their sakes. He couldn’t be around someone as caring and attentive as Leah. She reminded him too acutely of his own ineptitude.
He walked to the kettle and flicked it on.
Yet hadn’t he finally found a woman who intrigued and interested him, as much as she infuriated him? Maybe, but the timing sucked.
The knock on his door jolted him upright.
Leah?
He strode from the kitchen into the hallway, pushing some fallen hair from his brow. His apprehension made his heart rate hitch as he unlocked the door and pulled it open.
His postman stared back at him, wide-eyed. “Everything all right, Ethan?”
The air eased from his lungs and he forced a smile. “Hey, Norman, how you doing this morning?”
“I’m fine. You, on the other hand...”
Ethan huffed a laugh. “Didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. What can I do for you?”
“Got a package here. Too big to stick through your letter box.”
“Thanks.” Ethan took the padded envelope. “See you soon.”
“That you will. Take care.”
Ethan stared at the typed address label before turning the envelope over to see if the sender’s address was marked. Nothing. Frowning, he closed the door and wandered back into the kitchen. He sat at the table, ripped open the envelope and pulled out a blank sheet of paper. And another.
“What the hell...” He tipped the envelope,
