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It worried him that Tessa Sullivan seemed to be a target, though. And that, when she was in danger, Mason Walsh had been there to take care of her. If it wasn’t for Maria catching the look on his face and telling Walsh no, the deputy would’ve booked a room at Ophelia to keep his eye on the outsider. He couldn't have that.
Telling himself that, as the doctor, it was up to him to follow up with his new patient, Lucas decided to make a house call to the bed and breakfast rather than returning to his office to catch up on his patients and reports. A house call still counted as work. He wouldn't let anyone tell him otherwise.
He checked in on his sister and told her his plan, trying not let it embarrass him too much when Maria squealed in excitement and rushed him out of her room so that he could go see Tessa. Her girlish advice ringing in his ears—or maybe that was her high-pitched shrieks—Lucas headed for the Lavender Room. He rapped his knuckles gently against the door, then pressed in close.
The rustle of sheets, the soft shuffle of dainty steps across the carpet, and then, “Yes? Hello?”
“It’s me. Lucas.”
It was already after ten; the outer locks had been disengaged three hours ago. He heard the click as Tessa unlocked the door on her side.
A moment later, she swung the door inward. Wearing a plush pink robe and a pair of muddy slippers, Tessa kept her hand on the door handle. She made no move to invite him in.
Her hair was sleep-tousled in a most appealing way. It made Lucas wonder what it would be like to see those light brown curls spilled across his own pillow.
Tessa looked up at him in honest confusion. Her expression seemed softer this morning, more open and far less wary. She lost some of the pinched look of fear she’d worn when Lucas brought over the medication last night.
Good.
“Morning, Tessa.”
With her free hand, she anxiously tightened the belt on her robe. “Um—hi.”
“I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, no. I was already up.” She couldn’t quite meet his eyes. “Is there something I can do for you?”
Lucas offered her a rakish grin, bowing his head so that she had no choice but to look at him. Her cheeks went the most adorable shade of pink. “Since I was in the neighborhood, I thought I would stop in and check up on you. How are you feeling? Did you take the pills I brought you?”
“They worked. First real sleep I’ve gotten in days.” And because they knocked her out, she didn’t experience any of the nightmares she’d been afraid to have. Ten hours of dreamless sleep, it was the best gift anyone could’ve given her last night. “I appreciated it.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m the doctor. It’s my responsibility to take care of my patients. And since you’re here, for however long the sheriff wants you to stay, I’ll do my best to take care of you.”
“Oh, wow. I— I don’t know what to say.”
Lucas did. “Have you had breakfast yet?” he asked.
That was the last thing she expected from him. Except for when Maria was forcibly reminding her that she had to eat, she didn’t think about food. Her stomach went from queasy to settled to angry, depending on her mood. Her appetite was long gone. She shook her head.
“Great. Tell me you’ll come with me to have some.”
Was he serious? Tess dared to look up at him, her gaze drawn to his chiseled jaw and the way his expression both enticed her and warned her not to refuse.
Oh, yes. He was dead serious.
But why?
“Oh, I… um, I’m sure Maria will be expecting me to eat with her. Your sister’s very kind. She’s been feeding me every chance she gets.”
“She must think you’re too skinny.”
“She might have implied that once or twice,” Tess admitted. “I like her. I don’t want her to waste her work if she’s already started breakfast.”
Lucas waved away her concerns. “I stopped by Maria’s room before I came to check on you. Don’t worry about her. I already told her that we were going to go to the coffeehouse together. She just asked me to bring home one of Addy’s scones. My sister is an amazing cook,” he confided, lowering his voice as he leaned in, “but she can’t bake to save her life.”
The handsome doctor was close. Super close. Tess’s heart skipped a beat. Her mouth was suddenly as dry as the Sahara. Swallowing roughly, she found herself nodding. “Okay. I’ll go with you. Just let me get changed.”
“I’ll be waiting on the porch. Come outside when you’re ready.”
