Page 42 of California Dreaming

The receptionist directed them to the consulting room, and the doctor came in shortly afterward.

“Morning, Archer,” Dr. Reid said. “How’s the leg?”

“Stronger every day.” He nodded toward Tessa. “Tessa has been a massive help with my physical therapy. And nutritionally as well—I’ve never eaten such healthy food that tastes so good.”

The doctor looked at Tessa more carefully now. “That’s quite high praise. Maybe you could share some of your recipes with us at the hospital for our other patients.”

Her cheeks were flushed with her pleasure at the compliments, and she nodded. “Of course. I’d be happy to share my recipes with anyone who wants them.”

With that, Dr. Reid asked Arch to lie back on the bed so that he could remove the cast and examine the leg.

“Don’t have to ask me twice,” Arch replied, accepting the doctor’s help to straighten out his lower body.

The doctor cut the padding and stockinette with shears and then began to pull apart the cast with a shiny instrument. The sensation of cool air on his skin after being in the cast for so many weeks felt incredible. He breathed out an audibly happy sigh of relief.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” the doctor said, smiling. “Now, just let me take a look at how you’re healing, and then we can get your walking boot fitted. You’ll find it much more convenient. It’s easy to unstrap, so you’ll be able to shower more easily. Plus, it’s much lighter and more comfortable to wear.”

The doctor’s words were music to Arch’s ears. The only issue was that he would have to be a bit more inventive if he was going to keep Tessa’s hands on his body during workouts. He didn’t want to give up the way she spotted him with the weights, or took his arm when he tired of walking with crutches.

“You’re healing well,” Dr. Reid said as he asked Arch to do a few movements with his left leg. “Faster than I would have thought.”

It didn’t take long before he was walking out, with a set of instructions on how to continue healing and a warning not to overdo it.

Tessa was waiting for him and gave him a thumbs-up when he got closer. “Good job,” she said.

Receiving her praise, Arch felt as good as if he’d just accepted an Oscar.

As they left the hospital, he turned to her. “My quick healing is definitely down to your care, Tessa.”

She flushed a little. “That’s kind,” she said, “but you’re also more determined to heal than anyone I’ve ever known.” She paused a beat. “I never know how things are going to go whenever I take on a new client, but we’ve been a good team, you and I.”

“We certainly have.” And then he added, “I hope you don’t have anything planned for the rest of the day.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I had planned to take stock of which new exercises you can move into now that the cast is off—then make sure you get a really good workout with the new plan.”

“We will definitely do that,” he agreed, “but I have a few things arranged for us to celebrate my being out of that cast.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “If you’re okay with putting off my therapy for a little while, I was hoping to take you to a few of my favorite places.”

To his alarm, Tessa looked flustered. Had he pushed it too far? She didn’t know he’d been planning this day for an entire week. He wanted to share the beauty of his home with Tessa, wanted her to understand why he so loved this place. It was the best way he’d come up with to let her into his world. Not the Hollywood world where he had to dwell now for work, but his real home. The place where he’d been raised so lovingly by his folks and which he shared with all his siblings.

He wanted her to see the real Archer Davenport. But more than that, he wanted her to feel as special as she really was. And hopefully, the more he opened up to her, perhaps she might open up more with him too.

He flashed her his most charming smile. “I’ve got it all figured out. Let’s go!”

In the car, he insisted on giving her directions without letting her know where they were headed. So when they arrived at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and parked, Tessa pushed her sunglasses onto her head and turned a beaming smile his way.

“I did not peg you for an aquarium fan,” she said.

“Are you kidding? I love this place. The ocean is magical. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid.”

“I’ve been wanting to stop in. I’ve heard this aquarium is one of the best in the world.” She paused and smiled before adding, “And knowing it was the model for the Finding Nemo movies makes it seem even more special.”

He reached over and, without thinking, took her hand in his. “Thank you for letting me whisk you away for a few hours. I’ve been wanting to do something nice for you. You’ve been amazing.”

She visibly swallowed, but held his gaze until her dark lashes fluttered against her cheeks.

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