Chapter One
MARIGOLD
Ring. Ring. Ring.
My eyes are gritty, my back sticking to the leather sofa as I fumble for the phone. The fan whirling above is pushing hot air around the room. It’s making that squeaking noise again. My phone’s out of reach and I stretch to pick it up. For one stupid second, I forget about the boot on my right foot and shift my weight, raising the handset to my ear. A sharp pang runs from my toe up through my ankle.
“Fudge nuggets!”
My sister laughs. “What did you say?”
“Fudge nuggets. I’m trying to stop cursing before I have to go back to the museum. The manager takes a dim view of anything he thinks is unladylike.”
“Gotcha. How are you doing?”
“Same old. I was having a nap. Are you at the hospital?” I heave myself up to a sitting position. Moose, my sister’s enormous foster dog, raises one of his elephant-sized ears but stays splayed out on the stone floor.
“Yeah. Mom’s okay. Elias is looking after Dad. The doctor is due to visit in an hour or so. I hate leaving you.”
“I’ll be fine, Poppy. I have Moose to take care of me.” The dog opens an eye at the sound of his name, then closes it again.
“Moose is part of the problem. He’d be a handful even without a broken ankle.”
“He’s just lying around, looking morose. Like me.”
“Well, I have a solution for you both.” Poppy’s voice is business-like. She’s a natural caretaker, so I’m not surprised she’s taking things in hand even though she’s now a hundred miles away. She may be five years younger than me, but sometimes she acts like she’s my parent.
“I’m not sure I need solutions. Unless you can wave a magic wand and fix my foot?”
“Not long to go now, Mari. Once that ankle brace is on, you’ll be way more mobile. But until I get back, someone from the Snowflake Falls home volunteer squad will be looking after you. Oh, and walking Moose.”
I sit up straighter, pushing my hair away from my face. “Poppy, it’s fine. It’s so hot that Moose doesn’t want to walk anywhere. And neither do I. I mean, I can use the crutches to get to the kitchen and…”
“No, Mari. What if something happens? Don’t be ridiculous. I love how independent you are but be practical. Anyway, it’s all organized! You’ll be getting a visit at three. The volunteer will bring Moose’s food, too. It’s heavy.”
I check the time on my phone. “That’s in twenty minutes! I look like such a mess, I crashed out on the sofa.”
Poppy giggles. “Those volunteers see people inmuchworse states than you. Anyway, it’ll be some sweet old lady from the church. Maybe she’ll bring you some cookies…”
I sigh. “You’re talking me round. Give my love to Mom.”
“You concentrate on healing. I’ll call you if anything happens.”
Putting the phone back on the table, I wiggle my toes in the boot, trying to ignore the itch inside. I can’t wait to get this thing off.
I grab my laptop, my headphones, and a cushion. At least working remotely has been a revelation. Not being under the eagle eye of my micromanaging boss is like a weight off my shoulders. If it weren’t for my painful ankle, this time away from the museum would be one of the most relaxed summers I’ve ever had.
I’m sketching a priceless vase from the Slate collection when a slight breeze behind me blows on the back of my neck. Moose stretches and rises to his feet. He’s staring at the open front door.
A tall figure carrying a huge pile of boxes navigates their way through the door. The stack is so high I can’t see a face, but those long, strong legs appear to be one hundred per cent male.
“Where do you want ‘em?” His voice is deep and rich. This sure isn’t an old church lady.
I run my hands through my bird's nest hair. “Over on the kitchen counter, thanks. There’s a drawer underneath where the cans go.”
The man carries the boxes through the living room. He’s tall, at least six-two, muscular and broad-shouldered. I silently curse my sister using words that would turn my boss’s hair white. I’m wearing a ragged old Snowflake Falls Grizzlies T-shirt and short shorts. And the alluring boot of course.
Sexy.
