Page 3 of Smoldering Nights
She paid more than it was worth, which was typical in hospital gift shops, and hurried back to Mitch's room.Inside, the nurse was giving Mitch his discharge instructions.He looked up when she entered the room, and she smiled."Here's your shirt."
She handed it over with a grin.He looked at the front of the shirt and smiled."Perfect."
He groaned slightly as he lifted it over his head, and she rushed to help him."Here, I can do this."She helped him pull the shirt over his head after he managed to get his arms in the right place, and pulled it down his back.Her fingers grazed his warm skin, and her cheeks burned once more.
As soon as he was pronounced discharged, the nurse brought the wheelchair to the room."I don't need to be pushed in a wheelchair."
"It's hospital policy."
"I can walk.Why isn't the policy to let people who can walk, walk?"
The poor nurse, who probably heard this all the time, replied, "I don't make the policy."
A friendly face entered the room."Mitch, I just heard you were here.How are you, buddy?"
Mitch looked into Mason Thompson's smiling face."Hey, Doc.I'm fine.A cracked rib and a lump on the back of my head.It's all good."
Mason nodded and glanced at her."Izzy, are you alright?"
Her cheeks heated, she knew she likely looked simply horrible."I'm better than I look, I guess."A flood of worry assaulted her as Mason brought back the fact that she had customers who needed their flowers.She'd done the flowers for Mason and Carley's wedding just a few months ago.She struggled to get her breath as the overwhelm covered her like a blanket.
"You actually look like you need to sit down."
Izzy shook her head."I'm fine.I really need to be making phone calls and arrangements, that's all."
Mason nodded."If you need anything, Carley and I can help."
She nodded."Thank you, Mason."
Mitch's voice was gruff when he said, "I need to contact the hotel owner and get the footage from their place."
Mason nodded."Yeah.The sooner we find out who did this, the better for everyone.Do you need any assistance?"
"Not yet, but I'll let you know."
She took some slow, calming breaths and closed her eyes for a moment.She would get through this.It would be all right in the end.She couldn't let her father’s years of work and toil be lost.Plus, it could have hurt others in the process, which would be hard to overcome.
"Hey."Mitch's voice was soft and raspy.It was actually sexy when he spoke softly.Her eyes flew open and stared into his deep brown eyes.
"You okay?"
Her nose tickled as the threat of tears raged forward from his concern.She sniffed lightly and swallowed the lump in her throat."Yeah."
He frowned slightly, then nodded."Let's get out of here, okay?"
"Yeah."She remembered Mason's kind offer of help and turned to see him watching her."Thank you, Mason.I do appreciate it."
Mason nodded."I meant it.Let us know."
She nodded and followed the nurse pushing a complaining Mitch in the wheelchair.
Outside, her cheeks grew hotter than the fire that ripped through her sweet little shop.Her pink Petal Pushers’ van was the only transportation she had here to take Mitch home in.She unlocked the van with the key fob, then turned to see him grinning.
"I'm sorry.I had the keys handy for the delivery van and rushed here as soon as the police let me go."
He shook his head slowly."Don't apologize.I've never ridden in a floral delivery van, so it's a first."
The nurse locked the wheels on the wheelchair and offered to help Mitch stand, which he refused.The stubborn man slowly stood, his jaw clenched tightly as he took a step toward her van.She stood helplessly by as he mulishly managed to seat himself stiffly in the passenger seat of her van.The nurse closed the door and nodded to her."Call if you need help."
