Page 44 of Sparking Sara

I reach out and take it from her. “Great job, Sara. See how much you’ve improved since this morning?” I tuck the card into my back pocket. “I’m keeping this one. I’ll bring it back with me the next time I visit.”

Her lips curve into a small smile.

“I know you’re almost an expert card player now, but don’t go playing strip poker with anyone. Especially the guy two doors down.” I make a ridiculous face. “I’ve seen his bare ass and I can tell you, you don’t wantanyof that.”

The smile on her face grows bigger.

I smile back at her. “Bye, Sara Francis. See you soon.”

Her fingers come off the bed in an attempt at a wave.

Krista calls to me on my way out. “You’re coming back, aren’t you?”

I pull the card out of my pocket. “Of course, I have to return this.”

She smiles knowingly. “You’re good for her,” she says.

“Oliver will be, too. I think he’s still in shock by all this. He literally just found out and he’s having to process it very quickly.”

“That’s true, but I heard your conversation by the elevator and I wanted you to know he can’t have you thrown out. He’s not her husband. Fiancés have no say unless they have power of attorney.”

“I’m not going to go against his wishes. He’s in love with her. They live together.”

“Still, don’t stop what you’re doing. She responds to you and that’s more important than who she’s supposed to be in love with. Sara’s healing is all that matters.”

I nod, agreeing with her. “It is. And I don’t plan on abandoning her.”

“Good. Because I think the other nurses would miss having you around. They don’t get much eye candy up here.”

I laugh. “Oh, theothernurses, huh?”

She shows me her ring. “Happily married here,” she says. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t look.”

I teasingly put a little swagger in my step when I walk away. “See you later, Krista.”

I hear her sigh melodramatically as I saunter down the hallway.

In the elevator, I think about what Krista said. Sara’s recovery is what’s important here. Not where she lives or who she’s going to marry. I’ll just have to figure out a way to participate in that recovery without stepping on Oliver’s toes like I promised.

And the only way I see doing that is to make friends with him.

Chapter Eleven

Bass’s wife, Ivy, comes walking through the doors of the firehouse with an armful of flowers and a baby stroller.

Bass hops up off the couch to help her.

“Thanks,” she says. “We had extra in our delivery today, so we thought we’d drop some off and liven up this place.”

“We?” Bass says, looking at the baby.

“Well, she’s got to start sometime if she’s going to be a master florist.”

Bass picks up the baby and holds her expertly in his arms. Watching him with her is surreal. He’s as big a guy as the rest of us. Strong. Built. Tough. But you put a baby in his arms and he becomes an entirely different person. Still a protector, but more like a huge teddy bear. I can see how much he loves her. Lovesthem.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Brett leaning against the wall, staring. It’s obvious he wishes he had the same kind of relationship with his wife and son. I feel sorry for the guy. He’s basically been like a single dad ever since Leo was born. Leo’s nanny brings him by the firehouse often on their walks. Leo has become like the unofficial mascot of the firehouse. Amanda, on the other hand—I hear she hasn’t been seen at the station since before Leo was born.

I watch Ivy arrange the flowers she brought. She puts one vase on the table. Another on the kitchen counter. She pulls a flower out of one of the vases, a daisy I think, and hands it to Bass. Then he kisses her.

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