Page 11 of Wounded Hearts

He sat opposite her as they drank in silence for a few minutes.

“How’s the leg?”

“Good. I still see Doc Kline every six months but mostly it’s good. I have pain around the knee joint sometimes but it’s usually only if I’ve pushed it too far.”

“Not working hard enough was never your problem, Drew.” Her voice held a smile or at least the memory of a humour.

He had a feeling laughter wasn’t something she’d experienced in a long time. He wanted that for her. Mara had always been full of life and laughter. “Do you remember Kimberly Walker?”

Mara flashed her gaze to him, and he saw recognition there. “Yes, how is she?”

Kimberly had been a sixteen-year-old girl who’d lost her left leg to septicaemia after contracting meningitis. She’d been in rehab the same time as he was.

“She’s doing great. Back riding her horse and is talking about joining the British Para Olympic Dressage Team.” His words had the effect he was hoping for and she beamed a smile that finally reached her eyes.

“That’s amazing. I’m so happy for her, she really worked hard to get back to that.”

“Yeah, she did. But you had a hand in it too. In fact, all of the kids missed you when you left.” He was getting into dangerous territory now. He could tell by the way her shoulders locked she was about to close down, but he had no intention of letting her. She’d climbed into the back of his car for a reason and he was going to find out what it was. Perhaps, though, he should give her the night to get her bearings.

“Listen, Mara, I don’t know what happened to you or what’s going on and I won’t push you—yet, but we’re friends and there’s a reason you felt you could climb in the back of my car. You’re safe with me, I promise you that, and deep down I think you know it too. Whatever it is that put that look of fear in your eyes won’t touch you now. I’ll protect you.”

He saw her hand shake as she clasped the mug to steady herself.

“Why don’t we find you some other clothes and then you can either stay with me or perhaps Lauren and Dane for the night, and we can talk tomorrow? How does that sound?”

She didn’t answer but as her eyes met his he saw so much pain he almost looked away. But if she was going to trust him, she had to know he was strong enough to take it. So, he held her gaze as he reached out and uncurled the hand holding the mug in a death grip. Holding it in his, he gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you, Drew. You always seem to save me.”

He knew she was referring to the hostage situation on the island at Lauren and Dane’s wedding. “You helped me walk again, Mara. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked them back with a savage control over her emotions. “Can I stay with you?”

Her words were like a balm to his soul. He’d offered her a choice so she’d feel in control and he’d have driven her to Lauren and Dane’s if she’d asked, but he wanted her with him. In fact, he didn’t want to let her out of his sight. Tonight felt like the start of something big. Whether that meant him and Mara together or not he couldn’t ascertain but tonight was a turning point in his life.