“It’s better this way. You might need help getting around on that ankle too. Bev, can you stop at the apartment and get an overnight bag together for Mattie? I’ll drive her straight to my place when she’s discharged.”
“I don’t think—”
“If you think you’re leaving my sight after today, you’re out of your mind,” Giles snapped, glaring down at me.”
I gulped at his intensity.
“I’ll just go get that bag then.” Bev started to leave.
Relenting finally, I told her where she could find my toiletry bag and asked her to pack me some sweats. She almost ran into the doctor on her way out as the one from earlier came back in to discharge me.
“You’re good to go, Mattie. We’ve got your insurance on file. Here are some crutches to use for that ankle. We’ll bring in a wheelchair to get you out of the hospital. Now, who am I discharging you with, and who will be monitoring your concussion?”
“That’d be me.” Giles held up his hand.
“Ah, thehusband. Let me just go over a few things with you.” She gave him some instructions.
I tried to listen too, but my stomach was doing somersaults. After last night I hoped I’d be seeing Giles’s house, especially his bed. But I wasn’t hoping to be in such a vulnerable position while doing so. Also, despite his change of heart, his words earlier about not wanting anything to happen between us kept echoing in my mind.
“Okay, Florida,” Giles said, springing me from my thoughts. He had a wheelchair now and was gently grabbing my arm to help me into it. “Time to go home.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
The tires crunchedthrough the snow, and silence filled the car on the short drive. My thoughts spiraled. He kept sneaking glances at me, and I pretended not to notice. Finally, I felt compelled to say something to ease the tension between us.
“Did they tell you the reason they found me was because that skier recognized my description? I guess my bright outfit wasn’t so bad after all, huh?”
“Glad that thing was good for something.” Giles frowned and gripped the steering wheel tighter. “And don’t worry about that guy. I got his ski pass taken away.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did.”
I bit my lip, unsure of what to say next. The broken phone in my pocket poked me, reminding me that I should call my family and let them know what had happened.
“Shit,” I mumbled.
“Are you okay?” He glanced at me, alarm flashing across his face.
“I’m fine. I just broke my phone when I fell.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the shattered device. “I need to call my family.”
“We’re almost to my house. You can use my phone to call them when we get there. Johnny has an old phone or two lying around you can have until you get a new one.”
“Thanks, that would be great, actually.”
He nodded and turned the wheel, navigating us off the main road. His street was more residential, lined with cabins, bungalows, and small ranch homes.
“Here we are,” Giles said as he pulled into the short driveway of an adorable house with blue siding and a wooden front porch.
“It’s so charming,” I said before opening my door.
“Of course, it is,” he muttered. “Wait, stop. Let me come around and help you.”
He rushed over to my side and placed my arm around his shoulders. When he lifted me out of the car, pretty much all the weight above my bad ankle was supported. He walked me over to the front door, where a black bag sat on the porch. Bev must have dropped off my stuff already.
Opening the door with his free hand, he ushered me inside. If the outside was adorable, the inside was positively cozy. The entryway led straight into a staircase. Turning left led you into a quaint living room with a brick fireplace and an oversized tan sofa.
Giles helped me take off my shoe and walked me over to the couch, where I plopped down.
