Page 50 of Safe With Me

“Only to figure out what I did wrong.”

“Nothing. Nobody could have withstood that blow without being knocked out.”

“Yeah, I talked to Will. He said the same thing.”

“You have to rest now.”

She reached for his hand. “You took care of me.”

“I tried. And, by the way, when things were tense, I called you sweetheart in front of everybody. I had to explain our relationship after I got back to clinic.”

“I don’t care.”

“Don’t you?”

“No.” She grabbed his hand. “I’m going to forget about Noreen too.”

“I’m glad.”

Later he’d fill her in about Nick Redmond.

She tugged on his hand. “Come here.”

He stood and sat on the side of the bed. He pressed his lips to hers, tasted her. The kiss was gentle, and meaningful. “That’s enough for now. Later we’ll be together.”

Her eyes were sleepy. “Uh-huh.”

“Rest now. I’ll wake you in an hour to eat something.”

“Okay.” Her lids closed.

He turned off the lights and left the room.

Fionaand Tony were at the table eating. Still, her mother asked, “Can I get you some?”

“No, I can get it.” He spooned out some of the minestrone and cut some bread for himself. Then he sat between her parents.

“After we finish,”Fionasaid. “Tony and I want to talk to you.”

“You heard herFiona,”Paxexplained. “She won’t quit.”

“I know. It’s not about that.”

“What is it about?”

Tony put in, “Take a wild guess.”

He got it now. “You want to know my intentions toward you’re daughter.”

“No, we want to decide if you’re good enough for her. And if you’ll be able to handle her.”

He wished he could promise them that both were true.

One week later

“No, we won’t run. We’ll walk brusquely.”

“No fair.”

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