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‘No, not really. One of us has to be the doctor, and the other one the patient. And I think we’ve already established who’s the patient around here.’
Euan laughed. ‘Good point. Well, in that case, I think there are a couple of pillows in the blanket box.’
* * *
The jolt of adrenaline in his system had taken a while to wear off, but he was asleep now. They’d squabbled over ownership of the TV remote, and he’d finally handed it over to her. They’d watched a programme about an archaeological dig that had taken place in the area, and had decided they both wanted to visit the site. Talked. And talked some more. They’d both lost track of the old film that Sam had tuned into, and now exhaustion had overtaken him and he lay on the bed, eyes closed, one hand lying protectively over his side.
Sam flipped the TV off and arranged the throw from the end of the bed across him. She’d stay here for a few minutes, just to make sure he was sleeping soundly, before she went next door to the spare room. She lay down next to him, listening to the sound of his breathing.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
‘BREAKFAST?’
Sam’s eyes snapped open. Had she...? Had they...?
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Of course not. Euan had been in no state last night for anything other than sleep. Unsure whether to be relieved or disappointed, Sam concentrated on the rich aroma that had accompanied him into the room.
‘Coffee? You made coffee?’
‘I did.’ He was smiling and dressed, as if last night had never happened, but he winced when he bent to put the coffee down beside the bed.
‘Mmm. Wonderful.’ Even though she was still wearing the sweatshirt and pants he’d lent her, she took the sheet with her when she sat up, wrapping it across her chest. ‘Thanks.’
‘You slept well.’
It wasn’t a question but an observation. He already knew, of course, he’d been lying right next to her. ‘Yeah, I...’ She hadn’t woken once in the night. And try as she might, Sam couldn’t remember any of her dreams. ‘I didn’t...um...disturb you, did I?’
‘Nope. You slept like a baby.’
How did he know that? Perhaps he’d been watching her. ‘And you were awake?’
He grinned cheerfully. ‘I woke up a couple of times.’ His hand floated to his side, hovering over the wound. ‘Went back to sleep again. You were curled up and dead to the world.’
Right. No thrashing about, punching the pillows, and no waking up, crying. No bad dreams. She hadn’t had a night like that since Sally had died. Sam said a private thank-you to the unknown source of that particular miracle, and decided to enquire no further into exactly how long Euan had been awake while she had slept.
‘So, how are you feeling?’
‘Fine. A bit stiff, but the dressing’s still clean.’
‘Which is good I assume.’ She reached for her coffee and took a sip.
He laughed. ‘Yeah. Means the wound hasn’t been bleeding during the night.’
‘I suppose I didn’t need to stay after all.’
‘I was glad you were there.’ For a moment his gaze caught hers, and he seemed about to say more. Then the moment passed.
‘I hope you’re not going to use this as an excuse to go to work today...’
The look on his face confirmed her suspicions. ‘I thought—’
‘Well, you can think again. We’ll have breakfast—’
‘Thought you didn’t eat breakfast.’ He grinned at her.
‘Well, it’s not an inflexible rule,’ she replied. ‘I can have breakfast if I want it. We’ll have breakfast and then we’ll see. David said last night that he was getting Mel in to cover for you at the clinic, so you’re not needed.’
