He rolled his eyes, and she laughed.
At the sound, he smiled back. “I see where she gets it from.”
“That’s right. You had the pleasure of my daughter’s inquisitive nature at the library. Doug told me you did great. Emily’s a huge fan.”
He looked relieved. “Oh, good. I have to tell you, your daughter’s a hard sell. But I think I finally convinced her I’m not out stabbing people to take them away in my murder bus.”
Maggie laughed again, pleased her head no longer pounded anytime she so much as moved. “She has a vivid imagination. And she’s on a predator kick after watching too much Animal Planet. Forgive her.”
“Nah. She’s a cutie. I like smart girls.”
Well, then you’re not going to like me much.She bit back a sigh and swallowed her disappointment. Not that she had any energy to date or could conceive of Reggie wanting to go out with a woman he’d seen at her worst.
Which made her think…Oh God.She’d been passed out for a time. Had she drooled? Had her shirt ridden up, showing her flab to the world?
“What’s that face for?” he asked.
“I just realized I was passed out in the street and have no idea what I looked like while unconscious.”
He grinned. “Aside from that busted arm, you looked pretty enough to me.” He blinked, as if thinking maybe he shouldn’t have said that. “Ah, I mean, you were fine.”
“No, no. Stick with ‘pretty enough to me.’ I’ll take that.” She stuck her good hand in her greasy hair, knowing it stood on end when she took her hand away. “See this?” She pointed at her hair. “Yeah, I need help.”
He chuckled. “So, how are you, Maggie?”
“Oh, I just realized I haven’t introduced myself or thanked you.” Maggie wiped her hand on her shirt and held it out, pleased when he wrapped a callused palm around hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m Maggie Swanson. You met Emily, my daughter, already. I can’t thank you enough for taking care of me when I was down. And you were so sweet in the ambulance.” She felt herself tearing up.
“Aw, hey now. Don’t cry. It’s all part of the job.” He grabbed her a box of tissues and set it by her side.
“Thanks.” She blew her nose, sounding awful. “Between the hair, my bloodshot eyes, stuffed nose, and scars, I must look like I belong in the morgue.”
He chuckled. “But hey, that bruise on your forehead doesn’t look like it’ll scar. So you have that going for you.”
“Yay.”
He gave her a thumbs-up and a superbright grin.
She had to laugh. She liked him. Reggie was funny and kind. And Emily loved him. Big marks for the guy.
They smiled at each other in silence until Reggie cleared his throat and said, “Huh. I guess I should introduce myself better. I’m Reggie Morgan, firefighter and EMT for the city of Seattle.” Reggie nodded to her. “Ma’am.”
“Please. It’s bad enough I have bedhead, a knot I hadn’t realized I had on my forehead—but thanks for saying it won’t scar—and hairy legs.”Did I really mention my unshaven legs in front of this sexy guy? Shut up, Maggie!“Er, ah, ignore the legs comment.”
“Ignored.”
“You were really sweet to come down here and check in.”
He shrugged. “It’s no biggie. Emily’s worry stayed with me. Thought I’d make sure her mom was okay.” He made no move to leave, so she hurried to ask another question.
Benny and Doug hadn’t mentioned the puppy, and not wanting to alarm Emily, Maggie hadn’t said anything to her daughter about the dog either. “Say, do you have any idea what happened to that dog?”
“To Frankenstein?”
“Huh?”
“That’s what Emily named the puppy. Because he was scarred and all. Frank’s a rough little guy. Been through a lot.”
The poor dog.
