Page 51 of A Chance at Forever
Victoria missed lunch, and by the time Rusty arrived to take her home after football practice, she ached to sink her teeth into a grilled steak and a baked potato. She said as much as a nurse assisted her into a wheelchair.
“I’m so hungry,” she complained.
“If you want a grilled steak and a baked potato, then I’ll be more than happy to fix them for you,” Rusty declared.
The nurse pushed the wheelchair, and Rusty carried the crutches. Outside the main entrance to the hospital where he’d parked his truck, Victoria inhaled the fresh mountain air. The sun shone overhead in deep blue skies, and the temperature hovered in the low 70’s. After the nurse instructed Victoria how to get into the front seat without hurting her ankle, Rusty tossed the crutches into the backseat and closed the passenger’s door.
Victoria leaned her head back and let out a soft breath. “I’m so glad to be out of there.”
“So am I. I’ve missed you. Since you’ve been in the hospital, I’ve had to eat TV dinners.”
She chuckled. “You’re spoiled. Is my cooking the only reason you’ve missed me?”
He glanced sideways at her and reached for her hand. “There are other reasons, Tori.”
The warmth of his touch and the huskiness of his voice caused butterflies to awaken and stir in her stomach. Caressing his hand with her thumb, she asked, “How did things go at school today?”
“Hectic as usual for Homecoming week.”
“I’m doomed,” Victoria lamented. “Everyone is going to hate me for not being there this week when I’m really needed.”
“Probably,” Rusty agreed with a straight face.
“Wait. You’re not supposed to agree with me.”
He emitted a light laugh. “Finally got your attention. Troy said you weren’t to worry about a thing because he, Brian, Kaylee, and a kid named Billy, have everything under control. Troy said he watched you carefully when you were trying out the lighting requirements for each skit, and he found the master scripts with your notes and instructions on your desk backstage. Now, if it will make you feel better, I promise I’ll bring you to dress rehearsal Wednesday night so you can supervise.”
“Thanks, Rusty.” Victoria smiled in relief. “That does make me feel better. Now, please feed me!”
“You got it.”
Rusty refused to let Victoria walk up the steps to her front door. He lifted her into his arms and carried her across the threshold. He settled her on the recliner so she could elevate her legs. Bud yipped with excitement and wanted to jump up into the recliner with her, but Victoria commanded him to lie next to her on the floor.
She heard Rusty whistling in the kitchen, and within a few minutes he brought her a fresh tossed salad and a glass of iced tea. Victoria gobbled it down and eagerly anticipated the main course. The tender, well-seasoned grilled steak caused her to moan in pure delight.
“This issogood. No one grills a steak better than you.”
He’d loaded her baked potato with salt and pepper and butter and sour cream, and she savored every bite. For dessert Rusty made banana splits.
After she swallowed the last mouthful of ice cream, Victoria dropped her spoon into the empty bowl and leaned back in the recliner. “What a marvelous meal. Thank you so much. For everything. For saving my life.” Her eyes smiled into his.
“I hope you realize by now that there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, Tori.” He rose to his feet. “It’s late, and you need to get ready for bed. I’ll help you upstairs.”
In his arms, she protested albeit weakly, “I’m not an invalid.” But she clung to the satisfying comfort of his body and regretted the short distance to her room.
Rusty set her on the king-sized bed. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going back downstairs to clean the kitchen, let Bud out one more time, and then I’ll be up to see if you need anything before I head next door.”
Moving carefully, favoring both her leg and ankle, Victoria changed into a nightgown with spaghetti straps. She backed up against the bed and swung her left leg onto the mattress, grimacing in pain as she followed with her right leg, and settled against the pillows. She closed her eyes and waited for Rusty.
He joined her a moment later. When she felt his weight on the bed, Victoria opened her eyes. Rusty gazed at her with a hypnotizing expression on his face. One strap of her nightgown had fallen down her arm, and his eyes fastened on her bare shoulder revealed in the soft lamplight.
Reaching out, he caressed her skin and fingered the strap of the nightgown. His hand moved across the bare expanse of her chest and pushed the other strap off her shoulder. The garment slipped further down her body. Rusty’s eyes glittered with passion, and his breathing increased.
“Tori, my love. I almost lost you.”
Mesmerized, she whispered, “Rusty.”
She pulled his golden head down to meet her upturned face. Their mouths met and melded in a sweet exploration that lasted several minutes until they were breathless.
