“Okay, well, I’m going to let you rest, unless you need something. You want me to send Bonnie or somebody?”
“No, but would you mind helping me?”
“You sure you want me to do it?”
“You did it before,” she said.
“Yeah, I did. But I didn’t give you much choice in the matter.”
“Could you help me get upright so we can have a proper conversation?”
Rance hesitated.
“Unless you’d rather not, then please send someone who doesn’t mind helping me.”
He moved forward quickly, allowing the door to close behind himself. When he reached the bed, Gwen had already folded the comforter back off her upper body. He looked down at her and it was all he could do not to groan with the attraction he felt. “It’s not that I mind. I don’t want to force you into any situation, no matter how innocent it may be, that you’re not ready to be in,” he said.
“You’re a friend, and you have a pointed interest in making sure that I’m healing and safe. It’s not a situation to be ashamed of.”
Rance nodded as he slid his arms under her back to assist as she sat up very slowly. “Hey, look at that. I didn’t have to use any effort at all. You’ve gotten stronger.”
Gwen nodded as she smiled up at him. “I have. I just try to be extra careful when I’m changing positions so I don’t put undue stress on the sutures still inside me.”
“You want to lean against the pillows and the headboard?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
Rance slipped an arm under her knees, and placed the other at her back. He literally lifted her off the mattress and moved her back enough for her to be able to comfortably recline against the headboard. Then he rearranged her pillows so the headboard was cushioned suitably. “How’s that?” he asked.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, straightening up and standing beside the bed as he smiled down at her.
“Would you sit and talk with me a while?”
He looked a little hesitant again, but recovered quickly and turned to look for a chair. Finding the one he’d used when he’d first sat with her across the room in the sitting area, he went to get it and brought it back to her bedside.
“Thank you,” she said as he sat down.
“No problem, you’re welcome.”
“You’re nervous,” she said.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. Then his eyes met hers and he seemed to deflate a bit. “A little.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Just had some time to think, looked at things more objectively. I’ve seen some things that changed the way I think.”
“Not quite as much in a rush to corral your mate, then?” she asked with a smirk.
“No! Not that at all. It’s just that you’ve been through some traumatic things. You deserve the chance to heal without me trying to step into a place that only recently became available. This isn’t about me, and I had to figure that out. It’s about you, and your kids and building a new life. And you don’t need to feel like you’re constantly fending off advances from a male that’s so self-absorbed that he can’t allow you time to do and be whatever you need to be.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. But please remember that I am perfectly capable of telling you you’re treading too heavily on my path if I decide that you are.”
Rance grinned at her. “I have seen your strength, I know you can.”
“So, do you want to know what I need from you?”
