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“I’ve kept that secret for twelve years. I’ll keep it for another twelve. Wait . . .” he stopped and looked at her with a frown drawing his brows together. “Except I just told you. Shoot.” His eyes glazed over a little as he studied her face. “You’re pretty,” he said with a dopey smile.
Before Pepper could reply, the nurse came in with his discharge papers. “Are you going to be caring for him?” she asked.
“Yes,” Pepper said. She hadn’t really given it much thought, but she didn’t normally work on the weekends unless someone needed to come in on a Saturday, so she could dedicate the next few days to helping him recover, just as he’d dedicated his time to helping with her house.
The nurse explained the care of Grant’s burns and stitches to her, how to watch for signs of infection, and handed over a couple prescriptions for antibiotics and pain.
“The pills might make him a little queasy, so make sure he eats before he takes them. And he needs as many calories, mostly from protein, that he can get. It will help his body by providing the building blocks it needs to regenerate that new skin.” The nurse turned to Grant. “Now, they told me your brother brought in some clothes for you to wear since yours are currently in the trash heap. We’ll have the orderly help you get dressed and roll you out to the car.”
An orderly came in with a wheelchair. Pepper took the paperwork and Grant’s bag of belongings, and stepped out of the room to wait with Blake while the man helped Grant dress.
“How is he? The medicine hit him pretty hard earlier.”
“He’s okay. Maybe a little more honest than he should be, but nothing exciting.”
“Honest, huh?” Blake turned toward the curtain with a curious expression. “I thought Grant was always honest. At least, he never holds back on his opinions and thoughts with me. I guess he’s been glossing over more than I thought.”
“Well, he did say he wanted me to drive him home and take care of him this weekend. Is that going to be a problem?”
Blake shrugged. “Mama may squawk, but Grant’s an adult, he can do what he wants. I’ll go break the news while you wait with him. Maybe by the time you pull the car up, my folks will be back on the road to Rosewood.”
“That would be great, thank you.”
Blake patted her shoulder and disappeared down the hallway. A few minutes later, the door opened and the orderly rolled Grant out into the hallway. Pepper clutched his papers as they headed downstairs to the loading zone. His family was nowhere to be seen as she pulled up her little SUV and helped load Grant inside.
She considered her path as they exited the hospital parking lot. They were on the fringe of Birmingham. There were probably a lot more options here than there were back in Rosewood to get what they needed.
“I thought we would get your prescriptions here in town where they have twenty-four-hour pharmacies, and then we can get you something to eat.”
“I want a steak,” he announced. “The nurse said I should eat protein.”
Pepper sighed. “It’s the middle of the night and you’re one-handed for a while. Steak is probably out of the question for a few weeks.”
“You won’t cut up my meat for me?” he said, looking at her with sad, puppy dog eyes.
“We’re getting your prescriptions and a hamburger, and then I’m taking you home and putting you to bed.”
“Hmm . . .” he said thoughtfully with a sneaky grin. “That’s way better than steak.”
Chapter 15
It was nearly one in the morning by the time Pepper pulled up outside of the old warehouse where Grant lived. She grabbed the bag of medicine and first-aid supplies she’d gotten at the pharmacy and helped Grant inside and up the stairs to his loft.
Digging out the keys from his personal effects, she opened the door, revealing the large open space Grant called home. He lived on the third floor of what used to be an old sewing machine factory that had closed in the late seventies. After being abandoned for twenty years, a real estate developer bought the building and had the space on the second and third floors converted to lofts. The ground floor was currently occupied by the local sporting goods store.
Pepper had never been much for the industrial look when it came to a home, but the moment she stepped inside last Halloween, she knew it suited Grant perfectly. It wasn’t fussy.
There were a lot of clean lines. Concrete floors and countertops, leather furniture and glass tables. The ductwork in the ceiling was exposed, as was the brick on the outer walls. The space was wide-open except for the bedroom and bathroom, which were walled off near the back of the apartment.
Pepper headed straight for the bedroom to get Grant settled. Although he’d been quite mouthy and animated earlier, he’d gotten a lot quieter since she fed him. He’d even slept the last twenty minutes or so of the drive home. Pepper wasn’t sure if it was the belly full of a double cheeseburger, the medicine, or the late hour, but he was wiped out.
“Sit down on the edge of the bed,” she instructed.
Grant slowly lowered himself onto the edge, wincing slightly as he seemed to do with nearly every movement. “Are you going to undress me now?” he asked with a mischievous smile despite everything that had happened.
“To a point,” she replied. She crouched down to pull off his shoes and socks, then gently lifted his shirt over his head.
“Where are your pajamas?” she asked.
