Jamie’s plod turned into a jog, reaching her side within seconds. ‘Alice? Where are you going in this?’
Seeing how she was sitting at a bus stop, it would be easy for her to lie, but she was in too much pain to have the energy for fibs. ‘Ginny called. Told me you were coming to see me this morning.’ She tapped her wrist as though wearing a watch. ‘But that was hours ago, so I got worried and came looking for you.’ She ignored the slight quirk that hit the corner of his mouth.
Jamie sat by her side. ‘I would have been home sooner, but I saw an old man on the ground outside his cottage and have been helping him.’
‘Oh, goodness, is he all right?’
‘A bit bruised, but I got him indoors and called his son, then waited until he showed up. Turned out his son is the head chef from Robson’s pub.’
‘Oh no, poor Thomas.’
Jamie frowned. ‘How about we focus on you right now. Did you give up looking for me and decide to catch the bus home?’ Before she could reply, he added, ‘Not seen one come along while I’ve been out. I’ve not seen any cars either.’
She glanced at how thick the snow was covering the road. ‘Actually, I was just taking a rest.’
He peered along the way she had come. ‘You’re only fifteen minutes from home.’
Alice huffed. ‘Tell that to my legs.’
His finger pointed up at her neck, clearly just noticing the brace. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Fibromyalgia, that’s what.’
His gaze lowered. ‘I’m sorry, Alice. I didn’t mean to cause you stress. And after what I did, you shouldn’t have come looking for me.’
‘I can’t help it if I worry,’ she snapped.
‘Yeah, I know, Angel. I worry about you too, and we need to talk — but not out here. Let’s get you home and warm and where you can put your feet up.’
Alice gestured to the road. ‘That would be great, but right now my knee doesn’t want to walk so I’m going to have to wait for a bus.’
‘We could be here a very long time.’ Jamie stood, waggling fingers. ‘I’ll carry you.’
Alice had to laugh. ‘I’m not being carried.’
‘It’s better than sitting here all day freezing.’
He had a point, but she felt a bit silly.
‘What if you slip?’ she questioned. ‘We’ll both end up in hospital.’
Jamie flashed one of his smooth smiles. ‘I won’t fall, not when I’m carrying such precious cargo.’
‘Hmm. Well, perhaps I could get on your back.’ It seemed better than him holding her like they were about to step over the threshold. Something they hadn’t done on their wedding day.
Jamie turned so she could clamber on.
Alice wished she could bury her head further into her neck brace. She was pleased no one was around to witness the piggyback.
‘You good?’ he asked. ‘Knee okay?’
‘Yep.’
Jamie’s muffled laugh vibrated through her, causing her to grin.
‘Take a rest every few minutes,’ was her advice, sure he couldn’t go the full fifteen minutes with her on his back.
‘I’ll let you know if I need a break.’
