Page 11 of Always Be Mine

He reached for her hand and squeezed. “Are you okay?” he asked again.

This time, the woman’s eyes fluttered open.

“Don’t move. You might have broken something.”

She blinked and shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“You went down hard.” He silently cursed himself. He’d been too distracted earlier to sand the sidewalk. “I’m so sorry. I’ll call an?—”

“I’m fine,” she said again. “I don’t need an ambulance. I need to get up.”

Craig moved so he could slip his arms under her. “Nice and easy,” he said as he lifted. “Just go slowly and sit for a minute in case you hit your head.”

“Honestly, I’m fine.”

“Do you know your name?”

Her lip quirked up in the corner, and she raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”

“Fair point.”

“I’m Lucy. And I just knocked the wind out of myself.” She reached for her head. “I’ll probably have a bruise, but I don’t think I hit my head.”

“Hi, Lucy. It’s nice to meet you.”

She offered him a shy smile.

“I’m Craig.”

“Hi, Craig.” She blushed and looked away.

Was she embarrassed about slipping and falling? Or the kiss earlier?

“Does anything hurt?”

“Just my pride.” She straightened the cap on her head and blew out a breath.

“Still,” he said. “I’ll collect your groceries. Just sit. Please.”

She tried to protest again, but Craig placed a hand on her leg. “Please,” he said again. “I really do feel responsible. Let me help.”

Reluctantly, she nodded, and, convinced she wasn’t going to move, at least for a moment, he stood to collect her groceries.

A few minutes later, he returned with her bags. “I think I managed to save everything, except for a few eggs.”

“Thank you,” Lucy said. “I feel so stupid.”

Craig set the bags down in order to help her up. She was light in his arms. Lighter than he expected. He lifted with a little too much vigor, and she launched up from the sidewalk and into his arms. Reflexively, his hands went to her hips to brace her. Even through the ridiculously puffy purple coat, he could feel the gentle curves of her body as she first tensed at his touch and then relaxed.

Once more, they were face-to-face. His thoughts flashed back to the quick kiss they’d shared earlier. More than anything, he wanted a do-over. This time he’d kiss her back. Properly.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

“No.” He reluctantly released her when he was sure she was steady on her feet. “You have nothing to apologize for. I shouldn’t have?—”

“It’s fine.” She wiped at her face with her mittened hands. “I feel like you’re making a habit of rescuing me today. First the cat and now…” She shrugged. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure. And it’s nice to officially meet you, Lucy.” He extended his hand for a much safer handshake.

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