Page 17 of Chosen Road

I jerked my chin up to look at Gus, expecting to see sarcasm or hostility on his face but there was nothing but an honest curiosity and a hint of worry. I sat, stunned, wondering how we’d sunk so low.

The doctor chuckled. “Your wife is going to be with you.”

Gus slowly swung his gaze towards me. I watched as he struggled to focus on me, seeing the wince of pain brought by the movement.

“Amber? You’re going to be with me? What about work?”

His uncertainty, bare and unmasked due to his injury, broke me in ways I never thought possible.

“Yes, Gus,” I answered softly, working to keep the agitation from my tone. “I took a leave from work. I’ll be there.”

His eyes bugged out for a split second before a grimace creased his face and he raised a hand to cover his eyes.

The doctor cleared his throat and continued. “We’ll talk more about your medications and health next week, Gus, when you have a clearer head. For now, just know that you have new medications to control your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol. I’m also advising you to lose twenty pounds and eventually, once your restrictions are lifted, we’ll get you started on an exercise regime.”

Gus nodded, his eyes closed, a pained look on his face.

“Too loud,” he muttered.

If he thought the doctor was loud, Alex’s noise was going to kill him. This was going to be a long few weeks.

If I didn’t kill him first.

In fact, the weeks flew by much faster than I expected. Caring for Gus brought forth feelings I’d neglected over the past couple of years.

I went into work once a week to meet with my young client, the one I could not bear to leave behind. I’m not sure what good it would do in the long run, it certainly seemed to have little enough impact right now.

She was already in the waiting room when I arrived.

“Hi, Mallory. I’m sorry I’m a little late. Come on in when you’re ready.”

I continued walking without stopping or indicating that I was waiting for her to move. I learned quickly that any demand for action on her part, any expectation I put on her, resulted in frustration for both of us.

By the time I hung up my jacket and tucked my purse under my desk, she hovered in the doorway. I smiled.

“Should we get a drink first?”

She shrugged her narrow shoulders. This was as close to a yes as I’d gotten so far.

I waved her out the door into the staff kitchen where we raided the beverage drawer. I stocked it with hot chocolate, flavor crystals to add to the carbonator, and mixes for smoothies. Anything I thought she might like.

I poked through the offerings, pretending to pick something for myself, when really I just wanted to make sure she saw everything.

“Why are you looking? You’re only going to get chamomile tea like you always do.”

Her tone was almost teasing. I froze momentarily, and tension snapped in the two feet between us as her guard slammed back into place. I threw her a mock irritated glance with one eyebrow raised.

“Oh, really? Maybe I’ll surprise you.” I reached back blindly without looking and grabbed something. I winced and she smirked. Smirked! “Will I like this?”

She sighed. “I hope so. You could use some excitement in your boring life.”

“Ha!” I exclaimed. “I wouldn’t mind a bit of boredom right now.”

Mallory’s eyebrows rose.

A smirk, a tease, and now interest? Could it be possible that I was making progress? Again, I thanked my lucky stars that I remembered to exclude Mallory from my leave of absence.

I looked at my choice. Hot chocolate.

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