Drew replied before Seth could head off any talk about the nurse’s “rules.” “Concussion patients aren’t supposed to be alone for twenty-four hours after their injury.”
Seth glared at Drew for opening his big mouth. The last thing he wanted was Kim feeling responsible for him for the next twenty-four hours. Plus, he liked his space.
Kim drew her eyebrows together. “Well, then, we’ll have to make sure you’re not alone.”
Seth opened his mouth to protest.
“Doctor’s orders,” Kim said, cutting him off before he could get a word out. She pointed at him. “Right?”
“You’re right. I’ll call my brother.” Seth went for his cell phone in his pocket, but came up empty. He’d left his cell in his sweatshirt pocket on the beach. He rose, scoping out the nearest pay phone, but Kim stopped him with a gentle touch to his arm.
“I’m taking you home to my aunt’s house, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
“You mean I’m taking you guys to your aunt’s house,” Lily interjected.
Kim inclined her head. “Right. Lily’s taking us.”
Drew interrupted the discussion. “I need to go, so I trust you guys will work this out.” He put a hand on Seth’s shoulder. “I’ll check in when I can.”
Seth nodded. “Thanks, Drew. I appreciate all of your help.”
“No problem,” Drew said, then quickly headed out the door.
Seth watched him go. The will to argue was sap-ping out of him, fast. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed to get prone. Anywhere. He didn’t have the energy to be picky. “You sure it won’t be an imposition?” he asked Kim.
“I’m sure, and even if it was, I’d still insist. You saved my life, and I owe you. Big time.”
Seth digested that. He wasn’t sure he liked the sound of being so connected to Kim. But doctor’s orders were doctor’s orders and connected didn’t mean involved with, right? Because that was the last thing he wanted.
“Will your aunt mind?”
She gave him a chiding look. “What do you think? She’ll love having someone to take care of.”
From what he knew of Rose, Kim was right. If anyone in Moonlight Cove ever needed anything, Rose Latham was there. Still…
“So are we all on the same page?” Kim asked, almost, it seemed, daring him to argue. Her unwavering, stunning gaze bored directly into him.
He wanted to keel headfirst into those gorgeous eyes. But suddenly another bout of wooziness overtook him and the floor tilted. Stupid concussion.
He sat. He looked like he wasn’t going to get the space he liked, or any more time to mull over his decision. He let out a heavy breath, hesitating, trying to think. If he gave in and let Kim take care of him—for now—they’d be even, and it would be easier for them to go their separate ways. Sounded like a good trade-off, given the circumstances.
“Same page,” he finally spoke, hoping he wasn’t going to regret his rushed decision.
“Excellent,” Kim said. “You’re a smart man, Seth.”
He wasn’t really sure about her assessment of his smarts, but he was too worn out to apply more mental force to the question. Hopefully being helpless would be a temporary affliction.
Summoning every bit of strength he had, he stood again. Vertigo overtook him and he sagged. Kim was there instantly. She took one arm, her touch at once gentle yet solid. Awareness zinged through him. He tried not to think too much about how much he liked the combination. What would be the point?
Lily came up on his left side and took his other arm. He couldn’t help but notice her touch didn’t cause any zings. But, then, he’d known Lily forever; she was like his cousin or something.
Seth fought the urge to lean on Kim as they walked toward the sliding doors leading to the parking lot, reminding himself that he only needed her for the next twenty-four hours. And then everything between them would be dead even. Strictly casual. And definitely disconnected.
No matter how much the pretty newcomer intrigued him.
Chapter Three
Kim, Lily and Seth made their way up the crushed-shell path that led from the gravel driveway to the wooden stairs that ascended Aunt Rose’s back porch. A stiff breeze blew Kim’s hair into her face and the fresh scent of the sea filled her lungs. She could hear the roar of the waves breaking on the beach just one hundred yards or so from the ranch-style cottage.
Like a trooper Seth went up the stairs by himself, although Kim noticed he used the handrail, which she was pretty sure an in-shape guy like him wouldn’t normally do. When they reached the porch, he turned, his blue eyes shining bright against the backdrop of his pale face. “You’re sure Rose won’t mind?”
“I’m sure,” she said, sounding amazingly normal considering she almost melted every time he looked at her. Not good. At all.
And even if by some wild stretch of the imagination Aunt Rose did mind, Kim would convince her otherwise. She had caused Seth’s injuries with her careless foray into the ocean. Taking care of him was the least she could do.
Before they reached the door, it opened. Kim’s maiden aunt Rose stood there, her round face wreathed in a smile. Her gray hair was pulled back into its customary bun, her wire-rimmed glasses were shoved up on the top of her head. She had a spatula in her hand and what looked like flour on her cheek.
Rose’s eyes darted from Kim to Lily to Seth, obviously taking in their injured, drowned-rat appearances. Her face fell. “Oh, goodness me,” she said, her forehead creasing. Her concerned gaze held on Seth’s bandaged head. “What happened?”
“Kim almost drowned and Seth saved her,” Lily blurted.
Aunt Rose’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped open.
Kim glared at Lily, then held up a hand. “Don’t worry. Everyone is okay, but Seth needs to lie down and isn’t supposed to be alone for a while, so I brought him here. Let’s go in and I’ll tell you the whole story once he’s settled.”
Aunt Rose, bless her heart, didn’t argue. She was a deeply practical woman, and knew when to ask questions and when to just go with the flow. She stepped back, gesturing them inside. “Of course.” As soon as Seth was in the house Rose hurried over and had him sit on the sofa.
Kim followed her aunt into the house, drawing her eyebrows together. “Where’s Dylan?” she asked. He was usually first to answer the door when someone arrived.
“He’s at Benny’s,” Aunt Rose replied. “The puppies needed exercise.”
“Ah. Of course.” Kim looked at Seth. “Aunt Rose’s neighbor has a dog who gave birth to seven puppies a month or so ago.”
“Nothing like puppies to keep a kid interested,” he replied.
“Dylan could hardly wait to get over there after you left,” Rose added.
“Not surprising.” Dylan loved all animals, but dogs in particular. Kim had promised him that he could have a dog as soon as they had their own place. Another reason, among many, that Kim needed a job and her independence.
“I can’t keep him away,” Rose said. “Good thing Benny loves having Dylan around.”
Kim was pretty sure Benny, a retired widower, had a bit of a crush on Rose, too. He blushed and stammered like a schoolboy every time he talked to her. Truth be told, Kim was envious of the awkward attention Benny paid to Rose. It made her yearn for someone of her own…but that would be a mistake.