Page 3 of Love Takes A Tumble
"Almost there," Harrison said, though whether he was reassuring her or himself wasn't clear. "Think you can manage the stairs, or should I carry you all the way in?"
The thought of being carried through the inn's main entrance like some sort of distressed damsel made Audrey stiffen. "The stairs will be fine. I'll just need something to lean on."
"You've got me," he said simply, and something in his matter-of-fact tone made that strange flutter return to her chest.
This was ridiculous. She was nearly fifty years old, far too sensible to be affected by strong arms and kind eyes. She'd come to Palmar Island to write, not to be swept off her feet—literally or figuratively. Besides, men like Harrison Tate, with their hero complexes and easy charm, were decidedly not her type. If she even had a type anymore.
Chapter Two
The screen door of the Pelican Inn squeaked as Harrison pushed it open, helping Audrey hop over the threshold. His arm was steady around her waist, bearing most of her weight as she grimaced with each careful step.
Elise Bray-Oswald looked up from the reception desk, her expression shifting rapidly from welcome to concern. "What happened?" She hurried around the desk, dark curls bouncing, her quick eyes taking in Audrey's swollen ankle.
"Someone had a disagreement with a piece of driftwood," Harrison said. "Ankle's pretty bad."
"I'm perfectly fine," Audrey insisted, her cheeks flushed. "Just a minor sprain. Mr. Tate was kind enough to help me back, but I can manage from here."
Jacob emerged from the dining room, dish towel still in hand. His eyebrows rose at the sight of them. "Rescue squad reporting for duty, I see."
Harrison shot him a warning look. "She needs ice and elevation."
"The sofa in the parlor," Elise interrupted, already moving to lead the way. "I'll get ice and the first aid kit."
The parlor was bathed in morning light as Harrison helped Audrey to the plush sofa. She immediately arranged herself into what she clearly hoped was a dignified position.
"Thank you," she said stiffly. "I appreciate the assistance, but really, there's no need for all this fuss."
"Harry seems to have a knack for finding problems to solve," Jacob said with a good-natured smile. "Noticed him fixing that loose garden gate just this morning."
Harrison felt heat creep up his neck. "The latch was loose. Took all of five minutes."
Elise returned with supplies and knelt to examine Audrey's ankle. "Let me see that."
"I told her it's not broken," Harrison offered. "Just a nasty sprain."
"And when did you get your medical degree, Harry?" Jacob's tone was light, teasing.
Audrey's eyes met Harrison's briefly, something unspoken passing between them. Recognition of what it meant to have your identity tied to what you did rather than who you were.
"Well, I'm grateful for the rescue," she said, her voice softer than before. "Though I still maintain I could have managed."
"Of course you could have," Elise agreed, placing the ice pack over the injury. "But why should you have to? Keep this elevated. Jacob, pillows?"
As Jacob disappeared to fetch them, Elise's gaze moved between Harrison and Audrey, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "So you two met on the beach this morning?"
"Literally ran into each other," Harrison said, then at Audrey's sharp look added, "Well, she ran into the driftwood. I just happened to be passing by."
"With perfect timing," Elise noted. "Our Harry does have a knack for being in the right place."
"Not your Harry," he corrected automatically. "Just passing through, remember?"
Something flickered in Elise's eyes that Harrison couldn't quite read, but her smile remained warm.
"I have work to do," Audrey protested. "My manuscript?—"
"Would you like me to bring your laptop down?" Elise offered. "You really should keep that ankle elevated for a while."
"I can get it," Harrison found himself saying. Audrey looked at him in surprise, and he added, "If you'd like. Just tell me what you need and where to find it."
