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I’d much rather savor being this close to Chase without dulling my brain with pain medications.
Savannah
“Istill look really horrible,” I told Torie two weeks later as we both viewed my recent haircut in the bathroom mirror. I ran my hand through what hair I had left with a sigh. “I do feel better though. Thank you for finding someone to cut my hair.”
The angry looking lacerations on my face would eventually fade, but they’d always be visible. Chase had gotten me the best doctor available to try to repair those facial wounds in Panama, but they’d been days old and awkward cuts.
Torie had found a stylist to come cut my hair today because it was a mess. It had still been matted and tangled, even though I’d tried everything to fix it.
I’d finally given up and just asked the beautician to cut it right beneath my jawline in a shorter bob.
“It’s adorable,” Torie said with a smile. “It suits you. It’s very sassy.”
I rolled my eyes. I was glad I looked that way, but I didn’t exactly feel like my old self again. “It’s healthy,” I emphasized. “And there’s not a thing I can do about these scars.” I traced one of those marks from the top of my cheek to where it ended beneath my chin.
Torie took my hand and led me into my bedroom at Chase’s place. She sat and pulled me down beside her on the bed as she said, “I know how you feel. I remember feeling like my wounds would never heal. But they will, Vanna. You look so much better than you did two weeks ago.”
I tried very hard not to whine too much since Torie had been through much worse, but I really did still feel horrible.
I snorted. “I’ve definitely gained some weight back. More than I need to, really. You never told me that your brother could cook.”
Torie snickered. “Mommadeboth of them cook, clean, and do laundry as teenagers. She used to say there was nothing less attractive than a man who couldn’t take care of himself. Honestly, I think Chase might be a better cook than I am. He actually enjoyed it. Wyatt cooks simply because he really likes to eat.”
“He makes the most amazing crepes,” I told her.
“Thathe learned from my father,” Torie shared. “I don’t think Dad ever met a crepe he didn’t love, savory or sweet.”
“I’ve had plenty of both, and the size of my ass is going to start showing it pretty soon,” I informed her wistfully.
Torie frowned. “You’re still lighter than you were before the kidnapping.”
“Not for long if your brother keeps making those crepes,” I joked. “When I told him that I couldn’t possibly eat another crepe, he moved on to chicken stew and quiche. Honestly, everything he cooks is delicious, but I probably need a few salad nights. We’re going to start sharing cooking duties. It’s not like I’m working, and I’d really like to do something useful to help him.”
“Those were also my dad’s recipes,” Torie confided. “He did love his French dishes, and so did we. Mom was more into American comfort food, which we definitely didn’t mind, either.”
“I remember,” I told her fondly.
As wealthy as the Durand family was, they’d never had a cook. They made preparing an evening meal a family affair, and I’d been lucky enough to be included many times.
“You should just let him cook,” Torie insisted. “Aren’t you still doing physical therapy on your shoulder?”
I nodded. “I’ll be done pretty soon. I have to baby it a little, but it’s fine. Really. I need something to do to keep me busy.”
The more idle I was, the more time I had to think, and none of those thoughts were positive at the moment.
“Please don’t try to tell me you aren’t working,” Torie cautioned. “I saw you on your computer when I got here earlier.”
I shrugged. “I’m just working on some of the voiceover narration text I need to do on the Darien Gap special.”
“Do you ever stop working?” Torie asked in an exasperated tone.
“Not very often,” I admitted. “But I love being a journalist, so it’s not all work for me.”
“You need to rest, Vanna, and that includes giving your mind a break. You need something to occupy your brain outside of work for a while,” she advised. “That story is really important, but also very depressing.”
“My counselor said the same thing,” I said. “But I’m not sure she completely understands that work hasalwaysbeen the main thing on my mind. I’ve had to work really hard to get to where I am in my career.”
“You’re already successful, Vanna,” Torie reminded me. “You can take some time off. Don’t you ever get tired of spending your entire life working?”
