Page 31 of Wild For You

“Thank you,” she says. “Trent said there’s something about you, Erin. I think I agree. We all want him to walk again. But we also want him to return to the city, to that job of his, away from this brutal sport and the things that tempt him. If you could kill that passion of his, we’d all be grateful to you. God knows, all the Boyd boys have their vices, but none of them is ready to break their neck in the process. Not like Cash is.”

Kill that passion.

She looks so hopeful; I find myself nodding my head, even though I don’t even know how to get through to Cash, let alone talk him out of risking his life for fun.

Why the hell would he even listen to a stranger when his own family’s wishes mean nothing to him?

“I’ll try my best,” I repeat.

“Thank you,” she says. “I want to give you something.” She retrieves her handbag and adds before I get a chance to decline, “It’s just a little something to show you my gratitude.”

I peer at her, uncomfortable, as she retrieves her purse. “No, please.” She looks up, a frown perched on her forehead, as I continue, “I’m not doing this job for the money. I do it because I love it.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” I nod in the hope she won’t persist. Trent’s already paying me too much for doing nothing. I can’t take her money, as well, and then end up crushing her high hopes.

It wouldn’t be right.

She looks at me for a few seconds, then stashes the purse away. I can sense the change in subject before she speaks. “So, you are from Chicago?”

I nod.

“Is there someone special waiting for you back home?”

“I’m not seeing anyone,” I say, unsure where she’s headed with this.

“Your heart isn’t back in Chicago then.”

I laugh. “No, it certainly isn’t.”

She regards me intently for a few moments. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9. You see, I believe everyone should be where their heart is, be it a place, a person, or even something they love doing.”

“In that case, my heart’s a nomad.” I clear my throat to get rid of the sudden cotton sensation coating the cave of my mouth.

I thought my heart had found a home. Now I’m sure that home was rather an old, dilapidated tool shed than my castle in the sky.

“You’ll find it someday. Maybe even sooner than later.”

“I’m not sure I want to,” I mumble. “I haven’t been excited about a place or a person in a very long time.”

“Let me tell you something. I’ve been married three times. But I haven’t given up hope on meeting that someone special one day, even though I’m not even sure the right one would put up with me.” She laughs at my expression. “I can be quite overbearing. Bossy. Independent. Not many men are strong enough to deal with that.”

“There’s someone for everyone,” I offer even though I don’t believe that myself.

Shannon glances at her watch. “I would love to chat with you some more, but I’ve got to go,” she says and jumps to her feet, back to her previous chirpy self. “The fridge is stocked up. I’ll be back in a few days. If you need anything—”

“The list, I know.” I follow her out into the hall.

She opens the door but stops in the doorway. “One more thing. The family’s having a little get together this weekend. Nothing major.” She waves her hand in the air. “We insist that you come. We all want to meet you.”

I freeze on the spot, my hands suddenly cold and clammy. She’s just beingfriendly; I’m aware of that, and yet I can’t shake off the sudden tightening sensation squeezing my chest. While I don’t mind meeting my patients’ relatives, this does feel a little too personal.

“I don’t think Cash should be moving around too much.” My voice comes out a little too shaky.

“That’s why we’ll be hosting it in his backyard,” Shannon says, oblivious to my reservations. “I’ll call you with the details, but don’t tell him. We need to rely on the surprise element of it. Otherwise, he might throw the door in our faces and lock himself inside for the next few weeks. That’s what he did last time we tried to cheer him up.” She winks at me.

I’m not sure whether she’s joking or being serious, so I just nod my head.

Shannon grabs me in another tight hug, and then she’s out the door, leaving me with a sense of unease in the pit of my stomach.

As I clean up the kitchen, her words keep ringing through my mind like an echo.

Prior to his accident, Cash suffered a head injury. And yet he continues to risk his life.

I want to help him, I really do. But what if I get him back on his feet only for him to climb on the next bull?

Maybe next time he won’t be so lucky and survive a fall.

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