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“Yes. Fine.”
“What’s the catch?”
“No catch.”
She stared at him some more before nodding her head. “Thank you.”
Ryan helped her into bed, hesitated a moment. He wanted to stop her from making this mistake. From putting herself through this. But he knew she wouldn’t listen. She needed to find out for herself. He could only hope that she came to him when it got too much. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
A few hours later, Ryan was sitting at the dining table in his cabin going over some case notes. He got up to put the kettle on, glancing through the kitchen window as he did so. It overlooked Georgie’s cabin. A light was on. He frowned. He debated with himself briefly. Would she prefer he leave her alone? He couldn’t do it. He grabbed a packet of pills and a water bottle and went out. He’d gone no more than two steps when he saw her. Standing by the low wall, her walking cane in hand, staring out over the ocean. She turned at the sound of his steps crunching on the gravel track. There was misery in her eyes when he got to her. Pure misery. He handed her the water and a tablet.
She took them. “You were right,” she said softly.
“It gives me no pleasure, mo chroi.” He took her cane and lifted her gently, ever so carefully, into his arms. “God, you’re a lump these days.”
She put her arms around his neck, letting her head fall to his shoulder. Gave a weary chuckle. “Shut up.”
He took her inside and laid her in bed. “Cuppa?” He didn’t want to leave her until he was sure the meds had kicked in.
“That’d be lovely, thank you.”
He made the tea and brought it to her, sitting on the edge of the bed with his own cup. “You won’t do that again,” he stated quietly.
“No, I won’t.”
“You’re on the home stretch now, I promise.”
“Okay.” She took a sip of tea, her eyes glowing softly in the low light of the lamp.
Ryan couldn’t help himself. He reached over and ran his finger lightly down her cheek. She smiled. He smiled back. Before he let the situation go too far, he pulled away. “Tomorrow, we swim.”
“That’ll be fun.”
“Sarcasm?”
“You bet. Swimming in the Tasman Sea in June. I’m gonna freeze.”
“You’ve got a full body, thermal swimsuit. You’ll be fine.”
“What have you got?”
“Shorts.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t feel stressed about it. You’ll enjoy it and feel a lot better afterwards.”
“Okay.”
* * *
Georgie woke the next morning with a little flutter of anticipation in her belly. She tried to suppress it, but it was no good. Her mind wouldn’t be quieted. She was about to spend she knew not how long, in close proximity to Ryan’s naked chest.
Mikayla dropped in to help her with her swimsuit and give her the egg muffin that Rafe had made and a fruit salad. “Just so you know, I cut the fruit up,” she said as she handed over the food.
Georgie grinned. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
