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“These things take time.” The doctor looked at his notes. “How are the headaches?”
If he lied and said they were gone, would Dr. Shaw clear him for work? Although having sex with Carolina had left him pain-free for a night. “Getting better.”
“How often do you have a headache?”
He was a Cornell, he had to be honest. “Two or three times a day.”
The doctor typed into his medical record. “And can you narrow down the causes?”
“When I read. Bright lights. Exercise. Stress.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’d be less stressed if you’d let me go back to work.”
The doctor chuckled. “Your boss warned me you’d push hard to return to work. But the facts are clear, you have a concussion and you were shot in the head. It’s better to err on the side of recovery. Give yourself a break.”
“But I can’t do anything.”
“Patience.” Dr. Shaw exhaled. “Agent Cornell, you have a physically demanding job. Going back and ending up with another concussion could be fatal.”
“Fatal?” Had he known this?
The doctor nodded. “How’s the meditation going?”
“Boring.” And his brain wouldn’t shut off. “The yoga’s a little more interesting.”
The doctor looked him in the eyes. He was maybe ten years older than Sage, but his eyes were even older. The doc had done two tours in Afghanistan and earned a Silver Star for the evacuation of a hospital. He was a natural hero. “I know you’re frustrated, but you need to let your brain heal.”
“Will it?” Sage swallowed. That thought kept him awake at night. Was pain his new normal and he’d draw disability instead of a paycheck? His shoulders sagged. “Will I recover?”
“Yes.” Dr. Shaw nodded. “If you follow orders.”
The doc suggested a few more things to keep the headaches at bay and sent him away for another two weeks. Lately, Sage’s life was being parsed out in two-week increments.
He took the bus to the historic district. Then sat on a Johnson Square bench. He let his head drop into his hands, closing his eyes. The darkness pushed back some of the pounding in his head.
This couldn’t be the end of his career. He hadn’t turned thirty. He was ashamed he couldn’t live up to his family legacy.
Why would Carolina want to hang around with a loser like him? She was amazing. She’d given up her career to take care of her mother and she was helping him out. All while her life was out of control.
Carolina was all that was light and good. And last week, making love had been…incredible. But if he wasn’t an FBI agent, what did he have to offer?
He was worthless. He had to get better.
At the carriage house, he started up the stairs. His foot missed a step and he stumbled, clutching the railing so he didn’t fall ass over teacup. His heart pounded and his mouth dried up like the pasture during a drought. Damn it. He couldn’t even climb the stairs.
The door above him opened and Carolina ran down. “Are you all right?”
“I slipped.” It wasn’t a lie, but not the full truth. Guilt ate at him. “I was hoping we could grab some lunch.”
“I’m on my way to the hospital.”
“We could…eat on the way.” He wanted to be with her. He couldn’t face this idleness crap alone.
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Great.” He jerked his head to the courtyard and paid for it with a sharp stab in the head. “I’ll wait down here.”
A crease formed between her eyebrows. “Are you really all right?”
He wanted to nod but hated the repercussions. “I will be once I kiss you.”
She sighed and smiled. “I’ll grab my purse.”
Sage eased down the steps, sinking into the closest chair. When would this get better? He kicked the table and it rattled. His fingers clenched, wanting to tip the damn thing over. Was his anger a result of his concussion and he’d have to deal with rage, too?
“I’m ready.” Carolina stopped next to the table, looking as bright as a sunbeam.
He stood and pulled her close, inhaling her light, flowery scent. “I missed you.”
She cupped his face and brushed a kiss on his lips. “It’s only been two days.”
“Too long.” He covered her mouth and her tongue tangled with his. With just her touch, his anger dissipated and his headache eased. He needed her so much more than she needed him. Sighing, he set his forehead on hers.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Mmm-hmm.” The ground rocked. He hoped it was the kiss and not the damn vertigo that came and went without warning.
