Page 34 of Rescued by the Single Dad

“Sore,” Brooke replied. “Everything hurts, actually. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to swim so hard. My body is in shock.”

“What do you normally do?”

“Pilates. Yoga. Running.”

“I like gymnastics, but we don’t really have a gymnastics program here on the island. Just the stuff at the school gym.”

“I loved gymnastics when I was your age. I think I probably cartwheeled more than I walked.”

Talia giggled and let go of Brooke’s braid, only to take Brooke’s hand instead and hold it.

This child was so sweet and affectionate. Brooke was falling in love with her. Which wasn’t good. But Talia made it impossible not to.

She didn’t think Clint wasn’t the affectionate type with his daughter, but it was easy enough to see the little girl was starved for older female attention. Brooke just didn’t want to lead the poor child on.

“Talia,” came Clint’s voice, right before he appeared in the door. His eyes found Brooke’s, and he took in the way she and Talia were lying. He seemed genuinely startled at first, but recovered quickly. “She’s not bothering you, is she?” he asked.

Brooke shook her head and smiled. “Not at all. I’m happy for the company.”

Talia beamed.

“So you don’t eat red meat. Any allergies?”

“No. I’m not picky either. Thank you.”

He nodded curtly, but didn’t move. He studied them with interest. Brooke and Talia, lying side by side, facing each other on the bed.

She couldn’t quite pinpoint what passed behind his eyes when he watched Brooke with his daughter. His smile grew grim as he pressed his lips together, then his gaze moved down to her feet. “How are your feet?”

“Better. Still sore, though. I shouldn’t have gone traipsing up the hillside. It was foolish.”

“Dominic brought over some balm that he put on his arms when he got into a wrestling match with a wild blackberry bush. Thought maybe it would help your feet and shins.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small, shallow pot, then stepped into the bedroom. “Here.”

She groaned as she sat up, all her muscles still achy and complained from last night’s “exercise.”

“Careful,” Talia said, her voice full of concern. Her little hand fell to Brooke’s back, and she rubbed. “Take it easy.”

Clint made a noise of amusement in his throat and when Brooke glanced at him, he tried—and failed—to hide a smirk.

“I’ll be okay with Nurse Talia here helping me,” Brooke said.

She removed her socks and the bandages, and with an audience, applied the balm. It didn’t sting, but when she got a glimpse of her feet, she cringed. They were bad. Going up that uneven hillside had been really stupid.

But she needed the fresh air.

Ugh.

“I’ll get you some fresh bandages,” Clint said, leaving the room. He returned a moment later with a stack of big bandages, medical tape, and gauze. Then, sitting down at the foot of the bed, he pulled her feet into his lap, and carefully, gently, bandaged up her feet.

The care and attention, along with his delicate, but deliberate touch hypnotized her. Brooke fought to keep her eyes open, and from moaning.

“All done,” Clint said, lifting his blue gaze back to her. “Would you like help downstairs?”

Her lips twisted, then she tugged her bottom lip beneath her top teeth.

“Of course, she does, Dad. She can’t walk on those feet. Carry her.” Talia gave her dad an incredulous look. “She’s injured.”

Clint chuckled, then stood up from the bed. “The boss has spoken.” He held out his hand and Brooke took it, the warmth and strength of him making her belly flutter and her knees turn to jelly. Even if her feet weren’t cut up, she probably couldn’t hold herself up if she tried.

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