Clint was right. Only a special woman could grasp how much the job meant to firefighters.
As Devon headed for the exit, his purported plans for the day returned to mind—sleep and stop by the hospital on the way to pick up Kaylee.
He rubbed his forehead, searching for an answer to the question that had just flown into his head. Why visit the hospital? Ashley had enough problems in her life. She wouldn’t be that special woman for him, but she was a neighbor, and a special neighbor since he’d come to her rescue a few days earlier.
He could sleep longer if he crossed the hospital off his list. That’s what he should do. Why complicate his life?
* * *
Since hearing she could go home tomorrow, Ashley couldn’t stop her right knee from jiggling, as if the movement would make the time move faster. The clock hands lumbered around the face, seeming as weighted as her left leg, bound in bandages.
Her crutches leaned against the wall. She’d gotten up twice, once to use the bathroom and again to step into the hallway for a short walk with a nurse’s assistant. But those short trips disappointed her. She’d hoped that with therapy she would gain strength. Today she felt weaker than usual.
And Joey. She could think of no way to lift him into bed or into his booster seat. How could she do it with crutches and a leg that couldn’t bear weight? Her frustration edged on self-pity, and she knew it. Pulling her focus from the wall clock, she studied the crutches. Determination spurred her on, and she slipped from the bed, balancing on her right foot, and leaned toward the crutches. Her left foot hit the floor and pain shot up her leg in a deep throb.
She sank back onto the mattress, tears burning her eyes. Everyone had stressed the importance of staying off the leg until the surgeon deemed it weight bearing. Stupid to get up by herself. Her confidence sank and frustration took its place.
Self-pity. Defeat. Emotions she refused to succumb to. She drew up her shoulders and, using her arms, shifted closer to the wall. This time she dropped to the floor, keeping her left leg safe, and grasped the crutches. “Did it.” Her voice surprised her.
Tucking the support under her arms, she tested her weight against the underarm pads and took a step. Determination returned. If she were to manage alone, she needed strength and mobility.
She stepped forward on her right leg and swung the left, trying to forget the ache in her arms.
“Look what we have here.”
Her pulse surged as she looked up. “Devon, I didn’t expect to see you.”
Like a searchlight, a frown swung across his face. “I hadn’t planned to come.” His expression read surprise. “But I pass this way to pick up Kaylee from preschool so—”
“She’s your daughter.”
“Yes. Kaylee’s four...almost five, she’ll tell you, but that’s a long way off.” He grinned. “Kindergarten soon. I can’t believe it.”
The grin faded and sadness registered in his expression, and she sensed he harbored a deep wound. “I’ve seen her playing in the yard once in a while.” But she’d never seen a woman.
He nodded as he eyed his watch. “To be honest, my car just swung into the parking lot.”
The image of his car pulling into the parking lot against his will might have caused her to chuckle or roll her eyes, but not today. His unexpected visit surprised her and seemed to surprise him, too.
He fell silent again, and she had so much she wanted to know. She knew better than to push, and judging from his expression, something seemed to be on Devon’s mind.
His distant look faded. “Since I’m here...” He grinned. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay.” She’d started to say fine, but that wasn’t the truth.
“It’s great to see you standing.” He stepped deeper into the room. “Any good news?”
“I’m going home tomorrow.” Home sounded wonderful, but the pressure of the pads beneath her arm took away the sweetness.
“Home’s good. I’m happy for you.” A cute grin appeared on his clean-shaven face.
Funny, she kind of missed that rugged look that fitted his strong features. She pulled her gaze away and swung the right crutch upward. “This isn’t easy.”
“They take getting used to, I hear. And they’re not convenient, but the more you practice the better off you’ll be.” He closed the distance. “Can I help?”
His question confused her a moment until the meaning struck her. “You mean, walk with me?”
He eyed his watch again. “Why not. I have a few minutes, and if anything happens, I’ll be there.”
Warmth spread through her chest. His offer reminded her of Adam. He’d always wanted to help her, and when she worried about something, he reminded her that if anything happened, he’d be there. Emptiness weighted her chest. Then she looked into Devon’s smiling eyes. “Thanks. I’ll take you up on your offer.”
She made her way to the door while Devon shifted obstacles from her path and stayed as close as he could without tripping over her crutches. The polished hospital floor looked slippery, but the rubber tips of the crutches held fast, and having Devon beside her helped. She never trusted the nurse assistants who ambled beside her. Most weren’t any bigger than she was.
She remained silent, making her way down the first hallway, her mind focused on protecting her left leg and the step-swing pattern of her movement. Devon’s thoughts were somewhere, too. “Thinking about your daughter?”
He looked surprised at her question. “Always.”
Ignoring his reticence, she charged ahead. “I can’t even imagine having to share Joey with someone. I’d feel the same even with his father if we were living separately.” She couldn’t imagine that ever happening between Adam and her. “I’ve been feeling twinges of envy that Neely and my dad see Joey every day, and I don’t.” She released a stream of air. “I suppose I could visit with him in the waiting room, but...” She pictured him clinging to her and crying when he had to leave. She couldn’t bear it. “I think it would be harder on both of us.”
“Tomorrow you’ll be home. Everything will be good then.”
She hoped. Life would be difficult until she could walk like a normal person. “I hope. I’ll need patience until I can dump these crutches.”
“Time will fly.”
He fell silent. So did she, trying to figure out what happened to change him today. Though he grinned a couple of times, his face looked tense. She expected him to tell her more about Kaylee, maybe Kaylee’s mother, but he didn’t. She dug for conversation. “Neely said you were helpful getting my house back in order. I can’t thank you enough.”
“No need. If I’d had a problem like this, I’d like to think someone would be there for me.”
Ashley couldn’t imagine him without people wanting to help. The man was a giver. “You can count on me, Devon.” The offer sailed from her without thinking. How could she provide help? Sometimes she didn’t have enough wherewithal to help herself.
“Thanks. One day I may take you up on it.” Instead of a grin, he withdrew again.
Her underarms ached with the pressure