A Matter of Honesty (13 page)

The three women rushed toward Sabrina‘s SUV.

“What happened?”

Driving, Sabrina focused on the terrain. “Bruce threw Steve. He must have

gotten spooked or something. I don‘t really know. I was riding away when I heard

Steve yell. I came racing back and found him on the ground.”

They pulled up to where Steve was sitting. Lauryn was out of the car before it

came to a complete stop. She was afraid to touch Steve, but she knelt down beside

him.

“What happened?”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “I wasn‘t paying attention to the path. Almost

ran Bruce into a hole. However, Bruce was paying attention and stopped. He just

happened to throw me in the process.”

Kathleen‘s expression was full of concern. “How many times have I told you to

be careful?”

Steve shifted and groaned. “More than I can count, Ma, but I really need to get

to the hospital. It feels like I‘ve dislocated my shoulder again.”

A distressed sound fell from Kathleen‘s lips. “Oh, no.”

Lauryn looked at Steve. “Do you need helping to your feet?”

He nodded. “Yes, but give me a moment. I need to brace myself.”

When he was ready Lauryn offered him her shoulder while Sabrina took the

other side. Either they did a good job, or Steve put on a brave front, because he made

it through with just one wince. They helped him into the back of the SUV, Lauryn

climbing in beside him once he was settled.

Sabrina drove them to Stillwater Medical Center in silence. Steve was more

vocal along the way, groaning every time his shoulder was jarred. She helped him to

the entrance while Sabrina parked the car.

Kathleen walked ahead of Lauryn and Steve at a brisker pace, reaching the

front desk first to pick up the necessary paperwork and inform the attendant of what

had happened. Lauryn helped Steve into a wheelchair with minimum complaint from

him. She started to walk along with Steve and the attendant but he stopped her.

“Please stay out here.”

A look of hurt crossed her face. “But I want to come back with you. You

shouldn‘t be alone.”

“It isn‘t going to be a pretty sight when they set it back.”

He closed his eyes as they began to roll the chair along. Lauryn fell in line

behind the attendant. The young woman gave her an all-knowing look but remained

silent. There was no way she wasn‘t going with him to make sure he was okay.

Kathleen was busy filling out the paperwork and Sabrina still hadn‘t appeared yet.

She was the logical choice.

She waited while they took Steve for X-rays. He frowned when he saw her as

he came back.

“When did you come back here?”

“I was right behind you. I‘ve been sitting here waiting for you.”

He tried to respond but the nurse requested he get up on the examination table.

Lauryn flinched at his groan of pain as the nurse assisted him. She slipped her hand

into his as soon as he was reclined. He squeezed it, giving her a grateful look. She sat

there and held it in silence, waiting for the doctor to come in to update them on

Steve‘s diagnosis.

The doctor appeared right on cue. He had Steve‘s X-rays in his hands and

placed them up on the view box before turning it on. He turned to face them. “Bad

news is your shoulder is dislocated, which I‘m sure you are aware of, considering

you‘ve had two dislocations before. Good news is it‘s an anterior dislocation which I

can take care of right now.”

Steve nodded. “I‘m ready, doc.”

Lauryn went to move so the doctor would have more room but Steve didn‘t let

go. Her gaze traveled to his and what she read in his expression made her keep her

grip on his hand. The doctor urged Steve to relax before he began working on

resetting his shoulder. Lauryn tried not to wince when Steve‘s grip on her hand

tightened. He let out a loud groan and then his body relaxed completely. When the

doctor stepped back, she assumed the shoulder was back in place. It was quicker than

she‘d expected.

Steve opened his eyes and looked at her. She could see remnants of pain there.

His grasp loosened a little as he gave her an apologetic smile. “I hope I didn‘t hurt your

hand.”

She shook her head. “No need to apologize. You were there for me when I

needed you. I wanted to be here for you.”

He squeezed her hand gently, before bringing it to his lips. “Thank you.”

The doctor smiled at both of them. “The nurse will be back in a moment with a

sling to immobilize your arm. I am also going to write you a prescription for pain

killers. I would suggest you follow up with an orthopedic specialist within the next

five to seven days. Keep your arm immobilized until then and no strenuous activity

until you‘re cleared.”

Steve nodded. Lauryn moved closer to him, brushing away a lock of hair that

had fallen across his forehead. By the time they arrived home, Steve was already

complaining about the confinements of the physical activity limitations. Lauryn

smiled, struggling not to laugh at Steve when he whined like a child. She no longer

had to wonder where Hannah got it from. Kathleen reasoned with him while they

helped him into the house.

It was quiet. Bethany, Valerie and Gail had taken Hannah to the store to

distract her. Lauryn was sure the men would be home soon. They had been near the

barn when they pulled up. The way Steve was talking, she hoped Kathleen and

Sabrina could help her get him upstairs before they did. Steve wasn‘t happy about

being incapacitated and it was hard enough to get him to cooperate with the orders

he had been given by the physician.

“The doctor gave specific instructions for you to rest for at least twelve hours

and not to lift anything heavy for the next week.”

“What does he know?” Steve grumbled.

Lauryn did laugh this time as she folded her arms across her chest. “I would

assume enough to become a doctor.”

Steve scowled at her, seemingly not happy with her amusement. “You never

know. People can buy diplomas online now.”

Lauryn laughed again. “Well, if he had, they would have caught on to him by

now. He looked old enough to be both of our fathers.”

Thankfully, he remained quiet as they trudged up the stairs. She had a feeling it

had more to do with him needing to exert all of his focus on the task. Not that she

minded in the least. Her heartbeat still hadn‘t returned to normal. The way Sabrina

had come flying up to the house earlier had nearly sent her into cardiac arrest. She had

assumed the worst when she hadn‘t seen Steve on the back of Bruce. It was probably

going to take some time for her to recover. She led him to his bed and helped him into

it. “Now, lie down and try to get some sleep.”

“Where‘s Hannah?”

“Gail called and said they took her to the store. She was worried about you and

they wanted to distract her.”

Steve frowned. “I hope they don‘t let her run them ragged. They can‘t say no to

her.”

“I‘m sure they won‘t.”

His eyes began to droop and she could tell that the pain pill she had forced him

to take at the hospital was kicking in. She stood there and watched him drift off to

sleep before she went to the connecting bathroom to find some aspirin. Stress and

anxiety always gave her a headache. Right now she had a lot of both.

Not finding any, she headed downstairs and found Kathleen.

“How‘s Steve?”

“Finally resting but I want to keep an eye on him. I just came downstairs to see

if you have any aspirin.”

“Yes, I do.” Kathleen returned a few moments later with a small bottle.

“Thank you.” Lauryn murmured before she headed back upstairs to check on

Steve. He was out. She smiled as she closed the door behind her. The man was sexy as

hell when he was awake and adorable when he was sleep. Yeah, she was a goner.

Steve woke himself up with his own groan. It was dark and his shoulder was

throbbing. He tried to call out to Lauryn, but his mouth was dry. He managed to roll

himself out of bed and stumble through the bathroom to Lauryn‘s room. Thankfully

her door was open. He didn‘t think he had the strength or coordination to operate any

doorknobs. He leaned heavily on the doorframe. The sight that greeted him warmed

his heart. The sheets on the bed had been thrown aside for the most part. Hannah was

tucked under Lauryn‘s arm. Lauryn had a good grip on her as if protecting her from

falling out of bed. Not wanting to disturb them he turned to head back into his own

room. There was a slight rustle in the bed.

“Steve?”

“I didn‘t mean to wake you.”

She yawned. “It‘s okay.”

He watched her untangle herself from Hannah before sitting up. She slid her

feet over the side. “Is everything okay?”

He nodded then winced at the movement. “I‘m fine.”

She stood up and walked toward him, her steps light and graceful. She was

beautiful beyond words. A thought he shouldn‘t be having considering how much

pain he was in. “Is your shoulder hurting you?”

“A little.” Hell, it hurt a lot.

She moved into action before he could say another word. She was gone a few

moments before she returned with a pitcher of water and pain pill for him. He took

the pill first then drank the glass of water she poured him. It felt refreshing going

down his dry throat. He drank all of the water in a few gulps. She smiled.

“Would you like some more?”

“If you don‘t mind. I feel like I‘ve swallowed sand.”

Lauryn helped him back to his room before pouring him another glass and

setting the pitcher on his nightstand.

“Thank you, again.”

He sat down on the bed and lay back. She pulled the sheet up over him. He

smiled at the nurturing action. “You can bring Hannah in here if you like.”

“No, she‘s fine with me. I don‘t want her to cause you any more pain than you‘re

already in. I also want you to be able to sleep comfortably.” Lauryn gave him a rueful

smile. “She‘s already elbowed me twice.”

“No wonder you had such a tight hold on her.”

Lauryn‘s smile widened. “Goodnight, Steve.”

He closed his eyes. She caught him off guard when she brushed a light kiss

across his lips. His eyes snapped open but she was already pulling back. If he could

muster the strength he would have stopped her, his arm be damned. Instead he was

forced to watch her return to her room. He wondered if she had any idea just how

much he wanted her to crawl underneath the sheet with him. As soon as his arm was

better she would.

What seemed like mere seconds after she‘d closed her eyes, she woke to

Hannah‘s gentle shaking.

“Lauryn, I think breakfast is ready. I can smell it.”

Lauryn opened her eyes, meeting Hannah‘s expectant expression. “Okay, get

up, brush your teeth, wash your face, and then get dressed. Try to be as quiet as

possible. Your dad is probably still asleep.”

Lauryn rolled over and stretched before throwing back the covers and getting

out of bed. She threw on a simple dark green athletic T-shirt and matching denim

shorts before heading into the bathroom. Hannah had just finished up. Lauryn sent

her back into her room to dress in the outfit that Hannah had picked out the night

before.

She brushed her teeth and washed her face before she ran the brush through

her hair a few times. She stuck her head into Steve‘s rooms to check on him. He was

sleeping soundly so she decided not to wake him. Obviously he needed his rest.

Lauryn headed downstairs. Everyone greeted her as she walked into the dining

room. She said her greetings in return as she sat down.

“How‘s Steve?” Sabrina asked.

Lauryn smiled. “Sleeping like a baby. He only woke up once during the night.”

Silence resumed as everyone began to eat. A few moments later Steve stumbled

into the dining room. Literally. It was clear that he was still under the influence of the

pain pill, his steps quite unsteady. She didn‘t know why he wouldn‘t ask for help

when it was clear he needed it. Lauryn stood up and walked over to assist him to the

table.

She stifled a gasp when she touched him. The sensual heat he gave off made her

shiver. It was all she could do to stay upright. She shook her head, not sure what was

wrong with her. Her thoughts had never been this sexual in nature. Maybe it was

because she never had the right motivation. How could a woman look at him and not

think of sex?

She looked up at him and he gave her a grateful look, making her worry about

how much longer he could have supported his weight. She helped him into the seat

next to hers.

“Thank you.”

She smiled. “You‘re welcome.”

Kathleen fixed her son a plate and sat it in front of him. Steve dived into the

bacon, eating heartily, which was understandable since he hadn‘t eaten anything

since lunch yesterday. She watched him move on to a muffin. He had an appetite to

rival that of an entire football team. She wondered if he was the same way in the

bedroom.

She gasped, inhaling sharply at her inappropriate thoughts and began to choke.

Reaching for her glass of orange juice she tried to control her choking, while wanting