Page 24 of Saved By the Surly Medic

"Perfectly fair."

"If you want to dye your hair green, I'll drive you to the salon, and try not to make cracks about you blending into the forest. If you want to go skydiving, I'll be upset, but I'll help you find the place with the best safety record." He sighs heavily. "Okay, I really want to forbid you from skydiving, but that's the only thing. Anything else, we'll work it out together."

The way his smile lights up his eyes makes me melt. "I know you'll be safe here in Old Hemlock Valley. At least, you will be once you learn the roads a bit. Then you'll be free to go wherever you want, and I won't freak out." Thick fingers squeeze my knee. "We'll figure it out. Go over maps. Give us some time and we'll be a two-person team whose mission it is to keep you safe and happy. Sounds good?"

I nod enthusiastically, and we laugh together. It's the most comforting feeling in the world. "I think that's the most I've ever heard you say at once."

His eyes widen. "You know what, you're right. Other than about medical issues, you're the only person I've ever really felt comfortable talking to."

"I like that. But it sounds as if you have plenty of friends? Carson at the gas station. And you sent Clark to check on me, for goodness' sake."

"Yeah, but we only talk about practical things. Weather, roads, trucks."

"I already talked to Ernest about tractors, I can learn how to talk about trucks too." I laugh. "Oh, and thanks for the gas. I think the premium might have been wasted on my poor ol' beater, but Carson got my windshield cleaner than it's ever been." My right hand covers his on my knee. "I'm so sorry that I didn't listen to your warning. I'll be more careful in the future."

"Yes. And I can be a little more open. You might not have gone to Pinesley at all, if I'd told you more about it. So we'll have to work on you becoming a mountain woman, and me…well, becoming a relationship guy, I guess."

My mouth falls open with a dramatic gasp. "Wow, did you just say the forbidden word?"

The slight sun lines at the corners of his eyes crinkle as he grins. "Re-la-tion-ship. Yeah, I guess I did." Jonah straightens up and pulls out his phone. "Now, what do you want on your pizza? It'll be ready for pickup by the time we're driving through the valley."

15

JONAH

I’m delighted that Brooke truly loves Jim's Pizza, since it's the only pizza joint in town.

We get our order to go and enjoy dinner in my dining room, facing the window so we can enjoy the sunset. Thankfully, this time she finally takes a painkiller without making a face.

The pizza with spinach, sautéed onion, and spicy chicken, with a side of garlic breadsticks, are both incredible. We fall into a long drawn-out conversation speculating if pizzerias secretly read people according to their topping choices, like reading tea leaves.

"That would be incredible," Brooke laughs. "If there's ever an axe murderer in town, just ask Jim's employees. They'll know who it is, for sure. Just look for the guy who orders extra anchovies with barbecue sauce."

"I love your mind." Reaching out, I drag my thumb across her lower lip, pretending I’m wiping away sauce when really I just need to touch her. "You're always thinking of something new."

"Oh, my mind, huh?"

Gazing into her luminous gray eyes, I can almost hear the metallic click in the back of my brain as the realization snaps into place. Taking her right hand, I kiss the back of it. "I love all of you, Brooke."

Her lips fall open, and I swear she stops breathing for several seconds. Then she sputters, blinking. "I… I love you too. I just didn't think…"

"Because it’s all happened so fast we haven't had time to think, baby." Shifting closer, I wrap my arm around her. "You were hurt, and I had to take care of you."

"Saved my life, you mean."

Shaking my head, I continue. "Then you had to heal, then this whole incident today?—"

"Where you saved me again." Her palm strokes my cheek. "I think I'm always going to be safer with you around."

"In that case, it would probably be best if you move in right away. You know, safety first and all that."

Her voice is barely a whisper. "Really?"

"Yes. I'd suggest driving to your apartment and packing up immediately, but I don't want you stressing that wrist. So for now we can just plan everything, and then we can go in two or three weeks. Fair warning, I'll still do all the packing so that you don't lift anything."

Her lips press together as she tries to pull a mean face and fails. "Grrr."

"Sweetie, come on. What kind of a medic would I be if I let you hurt yourself?"

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