Page 29 of A Secret Escape

“You’re safe.” Joel’s voice was slow and steady. “You’re completely safe. I’m going to take that knife from you, and then we’re going to get that burn under cold water.”

She felt him ease the knife from her trembling fingers, talking the whole time.

“That’s good. You’re going to be fine. My sister had panic attacks for a while, and she told me it’s helpful when someone reminds her that it’s going to pass, so I’m telling you this is going to pass. Try and slow your breathing.” His voice was hypnotic, soothing, and she listened while he told her how he’d restored this place from its original dilapidated state. He talked her through each stage in detail and as she focused on his words, the pain in her chest eased and the dizziness faded.

Her legs were shaking badly, and she leaned against the counter for support. “I’m okay.” She whispered the words. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? I’m the one who scared you half to death, and I feel terrible about that. You’re pale and you don’t look great, to be honest.” He frowned. “I really think I should just call Milly.”

“No.” She was miserably embarrassed that he’d witnessed her reaction. She didn’t want Milly to know. There was so much she hadn’t told Milly. “Just go.”

“I’m not leaving you like this. And also your hand is turning red. We really need to get that under cool water.” His gaze slid from her face to the mess on the floor. “I terrified you.”

“I wasn’t expecting—”

“Anyone to just walk in.” His voice was rough and apologetic. “My bad. I don’t normally barge into people’s homes uninvited, but Milly and I have been trying to catch up all morning. It’s changeover day,so it’s always hectic. The café said she was over here, so I thought I’d see her before she headed off to her next task.”

Her mouth was dry, and now that the panic had faded she could feel the burn on her hand throbbing. “You just missed her.”

“Right.” He walked to the sink and turned on the water, adjusted the flow of water until it was the correct temperature and then stood a little to one side, careful not to crowd her.

Deciding that the quickest way to get rid of him was to comply, she stuck her hand under it and winced as the cool water ran over the burn.

“Hold it there,” he said. “I’m going to clean up the mess, as I’m responsible for it.”

She didn’t want him to clean it up. She just wanted him to leave, but he was already sweeping up the jagged shards with a brush and dustpan he’d retrieved from the cupboard.

She told herself that Milly trusted Joel, so that was a little reassuring, although Milly trusted almost everyone, so maybe not. Milly lived in a place where she didn’t bother with an alarm and didn’t lock the doors.

Joel disposed of the broken shards, mopped the floor and then joined her at the sink.

“Can I look at your hand?”

“It’s fine. You can catch up with Milly if you leave now.”Go, go!She started to pull her hand away, but he caught her arm and held her fingers under the water.

“You need to keep it there for a while longer, otherwise you’ll have a nasty burn. I know it feels like overkill, but it’s worth it, believe me. I’m talking from experience. When I’m not burning myself, I’m hammering pieces out of myself.” His smile was so warm and genuine she almost responded, but then she remembered that people could fake warm and genuine. She did it all the time.

Was he expecting her to introduce herself? This was so awkward. And she had no wish to prolong the encounter.

She wondered if he and Milly were involved. The fact that he’d walked in without waiting for an invitation suggested a level of familiarity that went beyond work colleagues.She remembered Milly’s words from the night before.If he left I’d be lost.

If they were together, then Nicole would be relieved because it would prove that Milly had moved on from Richard. And Joel was undeniably attractive. If she was casting him in a role it would be the Sexy Carpenter. His hair was mussed, and he had paint spatters on his jeans. The hand holding hers under the running water had roughened skin and a dark bruise that suggested he’d trapped a finger recently. He was the type of guy who rolled up his sleeves and fixed things himself rather than calling someone else to fix them. And then there was the fact that he had muscles in all the right places and a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

Was he interested in her friend?

If that was the case, then Nicole didn’t want to blow it for her by being frosty or rude.

“This place used to be a splintered spider trap.”

“Yes. I had to rehome a few as I worked.” Still holding her hand under the water, he glanced up at the slope of the ceiling with affection. It was obvious that he loved the building, and she felt a flash kinship.

“Milly and I used to play here as children. It was our den.” She volunteered that information without thinking and then wished she could snatch it back because she never gave out personal information. Not to anyone.

He shifted his gaze to hers. “I didn’t know the two of you were friends.”

Were they? She tugged her hand away from his. “Thanks for your help. I’ll tell Milly you were looking for her.”

A wave of despair washed over her as she faced reality. She’d been here for less than ten hours and already her cover was blown. It was bad for her and bad for Milly. In her head she’d imagined having a week or maybe two to recover a little and decide on what she was going to do before needing to leave the sanctuary of Milly’s home. Instead she hadn’t managed a day. She was going to have to leave right away. But go where?

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