Page 68 of Silver Secrets

“Right. Okay, I’ve let you handle things your tough, macho way until now.” Her eyes flitted around the bathroom, ticked that she wasn’t seeing what she needed. “Keep your eyes closed. I’m going to put this ice over them.”

“Love you taking charge, Red.”

“See how you feel about that in five minutes, Clark.”

“Mm,” he mumbled, sighing as she set the homemade ice pack over his eyes.

Sloane opened the cupboard under the sink and relief washed over her. She pulled a plastic tub from the bottom, discarding the extra towels being stored inside it, and stepped out of the bathroom once again. It would have been easier if she could use the bathtub to fill the smaller container with hot water, but she knew the noise would be excruciating with the way his migraine was taking over.

With as much caution as she could muster, Sloane made it back into the bathroom. She set the basin down at his feet, reaching out to the leg on the far side and slipping her fingers into the top of his sock before she pulled it off.

Yes, she was touching him. But it was medically necessary. Or at least that’s what she was telling herself. Over. And over. The reminder helped keep the anxiety at bay. She set the first foot into the bucket of hot water, checking Gage’s reaction. He lifted the ice off his eyes and looked at her through the tiniest crack in his eyelids.

“Move that ice pack to your neck,” she whispered.

“Is that an order, ma’am?” he teased.

“Yes, it is.”

As he worked to situate the ice behind his head, Sloane peeled off his other sock, gently placing that foot into the bin as well. They sat in silence while she said a little prayer that the silly practice would provide him some relief.

Sloane ran her fingers up and down his leg as his feet soaked in the hot water. Kimi had done the same thing for her during her recovery, when headaches plagued her after her nightmares.

“How is that working? I swear the pressure feels better in my head.”

“Something about the temperature difference across your body. It tricks your brain into calming everything down.”

“Damn. It’s amazing.” He cracked his right eye open. “And here I thought it was your magic touch really doing the trick.”

“Mm, there might be a little of that too. Never hurts to have some human contact when we’re feeling vulnerable. Some computer nerd I know once told me that.”

His shoulders shook with laughter. “Damn. I’m not feeling that much better. Ouch. Don’t make me laugh again.”

“Shh. Sorry.” Her hand came up to his head and worked through his hair. “We’ll get a full ten minutes in and then you can try to sit up. If it hasn’t truly reset, the change in position will let us know. We can dump this water and I’ll do it again with fresh ice for your neck.”

“You sure that PhD of yours isn’t actually an MD?”

“I don’t have a PhD.”

One of his eyes popped open, searching her face.

“I’m not lying. I don’t have a PhD. I have a PsyD. It’s a Doctorate of Psychology.”

“Hm. Look at that. Learned something new about my girl today.”

Warmth gathered in the pit of her stomach and radiated outward as she reached up to stroke his hair. “Shh. We shouldn’t be talking. Just rest.”

They sat in silence until it was time for Sloane to dry his feet. He was looking better. The color had returned to his face, and his eyes were open.

“Should we try another round?” she asked, looking at the melted ice sitting next to his hip.

“I think I’m okay now. I’m just going to brush my teeth. You should get back in bed. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Let me help get you on your feet first.”

“Red, I’m good.”

“I’m still going to help.” She pushed off the floor, bent over and slipped her arm around his back.

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