“Are you okay?”I rushed up to him.“Show me your hand.”
He did as instructed, and I winced when I saw the deep scratches, blood already welling up.“I’m so sorry.He hates strangers.”Or anyone, really.“Take a seat on the couch and I’ll put something on it.”
I turned as Malena reached into a box off to the side and handed me a first aid kit.“I’ll be outside with the kids and dogs.They’ve been left unsupervised for too long.”
Vance was now seated on the couch, not looking overly concerned about his injury.But I knew a scratch from Winston hurt.
Malena disappeared outside, and I sat down next to Vance, taking his warm hand in mine.The scratch was on the back, so I put his palm on mine.It was surprisingly rough for someone who worked in an office.
But one thing I had figured out quickly was that Vance had more layers than I’d first thought.The gruff and growly lawyer who had been so dismissive of me in the beginning was unfortunately finding his way into my heart.And no matter how many barriers I put up, it seemed he’d taken up residence for now.
Inspecting the scratches, I hoped Malena had a Band-Aid big enough to cover them.Reluctantly releasing his hand, I searched through the first aid kit, first taking out the iodine and gauze pad, then two large Band-Aids.I placed everything on the coffee table, then opened the cap on the iodine.
I held in the contented sigh that wanted to escape when I held his hand again.And I worked hard on not showing any emotion when he closed his hand around mine.And I nearly choked on air when our eyes met and held.
What was it about him that turned my insides into a carousel and my head into a marshmallow?
Fumbling for the iodine, I put it on the gauze, then wiped it over the scratches, my hand trembling.Once there wasn’t an inch left to wipe, I released his hand.
Vance’s gaze never left me, but I avoided looking at him as if his eyes would shoot lasers at me if we made eye contact.
Once I’d somewhat successfully stuck the Band-Aids on his hand, I jumped up.“That should do it.Again, I apologize about Winston.”
“Not your fault.I should have checked before I put my hands anywhere near him.”
After screwing the iodine lid back on and placing it back in the first aid kit, I picked up the trash.I did all this while still avoiding looking at him.“He once bit Hank so hard he had to get stitches.”
He’d been so mad, I thought he’d put Winston down.I’d talked him out of it, the painkillers they gave him at the hospital helping my cause since they’d made him loopy.
“I’ll remember to bring him treats next time.”
I wasn’t sure what caught me off guard more, the fact that he’d try and befriend my cat or that he was planning on meeting him again.
“Mom, Mom, there’s an injured bird outside!”Adelaine stormed into the house, pigtails streaming behind her.“Malena said he has a broken wing.And we need a box to put him in.”
“Oh no, the poor thing.Give me a second and I’ll be right out.”
She nodded and shot back outside.
I put the trash and first aid kit away, then looked for a box.One step ahead of me, Vance was already holding up a bucket.“Will this work?”
A tentative smile took over my face.“Absolutely.”
He followed me outside, and we knelt down next to Malena and the kids, who were in a circle around the bird.The dogs were jumping around behind them, little Miles following Orange, who ran around us and then back to the huddle on the grass.
Malena looked up when we approached.“Let’s get him inside, and I’ll call around to see if there’s anywhere we can take him.”
Vance knelt down, slowly reaching out for the bird.He had a reddish-orange breast, a darker head, and a gray back.But since I knew almost nothing about birds, I had no idea what kind it was.
“Come on, little guy.”Vance’s low rumble seemed to have an effect even on birds since he managed to scoop him up.“Let’s get you inside the bucket so we can take you somewhere safe.”
Vance placed him in the bucket, his movements calm and efficient.
Elana leaned against Vance, who was still crouching next to the bucket.“Is he going to die?”
Vance pointed at the bird.“See the wing that’s sticking up a little?”
Elana nodded, leaning farther into him.
