Page 38 of Burn for Me
“Seemed an almost impossible feat too.”
Narrowing her eyes at him, Kitty asked, “What did you do?”
Laughing, Gray gave her his best innocent expression. “Why would you think I did anything?”
“Because I know you.”
“I’malmostashamed to admit we made a small wager.”
Batting him on the arm, Kitty shook her head. “Like I said, incorrigible!”
“You have superb timing, by the way.”
“I do?”
“Yep. Doc’s been in to give the go ahead to leave. I’ve just finished signing the paperwork. I cannot wait to get the hell out of here.”
“Well then, let’s not delay. Let me grab your things, and we’ll head for home.”
Gray, who’d been in the process of wrangling his crutches, stilled. He turned to her, a funny look on his face.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Kitty asked.
“No. Not a thing. I like the sound of that is all.”
The way he said it made Kitty wonder what he was leaving unsaid. She put his duffel bag down on the bed. Turning toward the door, she spoke over her shoulder.
“I’ll be right back,” she said. “I’ll go let them know we’re leaving.”
A few minutes later, both Kitty and a nurse were back, the nurse pushing a wheelchair.
Carefully coming to his feet, Gray looked indignantly at it.
“Oh hell no. I’m not getting in that thing.”
“I’m sorry, sir. If you want to go home, I’m afraid you’re going to have to hop in.” The nurse smiled kindly at him. “It’s hospital procedure.”
With a pained expression on his face, Gray complied.
By the time they got back to Gray’s house, Kitty could see he was visibly flagging. Her heart hurt to see this vital man so fatigued after nothing more than a car ride.
Using his house keys he’d found in his bag, Gray opened the garage door. Wordlessly, she parked the car and climbed out. While he opened his door, she grabbed his crutches out the back.
Slowly, painfully, he made his way into the house. Kitty followed with his bag. Making his way into the living room, Gray carefully lowered himself onto the sofa. By the time he’d managed it, his face was pale and perspiring. She could see him gritting his teeth, but he never uttered a word.
Kitty knew he’d been incredibly lucky to have only broken a leg in the cave-in. His body, however, had taken quite the beating from the debris that had rained down on him. The pain of moving his abused body was clearly stamped on his face. She wished she could take it from him. As it was, the best she could do was settle him as comfortably as she could in front of the television.
“I have some calls to make and emails to send. Can I get you anything before I start?” she asked Gray.
“No, thanks. I’m good for now. I’m just going to lie here and watch something. Maybe get a bit of shuteye.”
“All right. Let me know if you change your mind.”
Hauling her laptop out of the bag she’d brought in with her, Kitty made herself comfortable on the other sofa. Becoming engrossed in what she was doing, it was sometime later that she looked over to check on Gray. At some point, he’d obviously succumbed to the fatigue and was sleeping deeply, it appeared. So as not to disturb him, she quietly left the room to make her calls.
* * *
Every partof him wept in agony. The medication they’d given him in the hospital had clearly worn off. Gritting his teeth, Gray shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position. After a couple minutes of trying and failing miserably, he gave up. Lying still, he listened for Kitty, wondering where she’d disappeared to.
