Page 27 of A Convenient Ring to Claim Her

“Because I told them to.”

No doubt.

“Comfortable?” he murmured.

“Mm-hmm.” She was fighting inexplicable tears. Why would he insist on staying with her? Really just to fight? Or softer reasons?

She didn’t want to think he felt more than an obligation toward a woman he sometimes slept with, though. She didn’t want to imagine and hope and believe in things that would never be true.

“Good night, then,” he said.

She closed her eyes and matched her breathing to his, mind soon blanking into sleep.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“OH!”THENURSE’Sgasp woke Quinn.

Micah, too, judging by the small jolt that went through him and the way his arm twitched, then eased from beneath her pillow.

“How are you feeling?” the nurse asked cheerfully as she yanked open the drapes and allowed light to pour in.

“Like I’ve been hit by a bicycle, missed two meals, and I’m not allowed to shower.”

She’d been feeling really nice all snuggled into Micah, but he was already pulling away, rising and rolling his shoulders.

“Breakfast will be here shortly. Then the doctor will come by to discuss follow-up and when you’re likely to be discharged. Let me remove your IV, then I can help you in the bathroom, if you like.”

“I can manage. I’ve done this before.” There was still a lot of pain, but it was the pain of fresh stitches and healing. It would kill her to admit it, but she was glad she had the surgery behind her rather than in front of her.

“Your things are here,” Micah said in a gravelly morning voice. He set her bag from the hostel on the bed.

“How did you get that?”

“My driver picked it up on his way to fetching my own bag.” He collected a small duffel and disappeared down the hall.

At least she had her own toothbrush and would have some of her own clothes to change into when she was discharged. Her laptop was here and everything.

Feeling almost cheerful, she gave her face and teeth a clumsy scrub, then ran a brush through her hair. She would have to buy a couple of hairbands to keep it off her face. That always made her look more like Anne of Green Gables than usual.

She came back into her room with one arm through the robe and discovered Micah had shaved. What a monster. He had a clean shirt and smooth hair and was removing the covers from two plates on the small round dining table.

“That’s just mean,” she said as she sat down across from him. “I had to brush my teeth with my wrong hand. I couldn’t even put my hair up.”

“I like it down. Don’t bother,” he forestalled, holding up a hand as she opened her mouth. “I know you don’t exist to please the male gaze. Sue me for thinking your hair is pretty when it catches the sun.”

Like now? The sun was streaming through the massive window, warming her through the robe she was half wearing, but he couldn’t possibly think she looked like anything but washed-up seaweed in this state.

She kept her gaze on the fresh fruit and muesli, pastries and cheeses that had been revealed. “I have never seen hospital food like this.”

“I ordered it last night. My driver brought it up as soon as I texted.”

Of course he did.

“I appreciate it. Thank you.” She filled her plate with the easiest items to eat one-handed, too hungry to be proud. “And I will pay you back for all of this.”

“That’s not necessary.” He poured two cups of coffee and set one in her reach. “You wouldn’t have taken this side trip and wound up injured if I hadn’t interfered in your research.”

“I made the choice to come here, Micah. This is not on you.”

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