Page 10 of After You Returned

Caleb is the ideal patient. He never whines or complains. He does the exercises I assign him to do at home. He doesn’t really need to come to therapy anymore as he can continue to rehab on his own, but I’m thankful for his weekly visits.

I point to the wall bar. “Let’s start with some stretches.”

“Awesome. We haven’t used the torture machine for some time.”

I giggle. “You refer to all of my equipment as torture machines.”

He shrugs. “If the peg leg fits…”

Maya scowls. “You do not have a peg leg.”

“It’s just a saying, bunny.”

“I don’t want you making fun of your injury.”

“It’s hardly an injury anymore,” I say. “Caleb’s leg is stronger than the legs of most of the smugglers on this island.”

“Because most of the smugglers drink too much moonshine and beer,” Caleb says.

“How about Miles?” Maya asks. “Does he have strong legs? Do surfers have strong legs?”

I am not answering any questions about Miles’s physique. My body is also not getting warm and tingly, remembering how strong Miles’s legs are. How he can easily balance me against a wall with his legs without breaking into a sweat. Nope. Not thinking those thoughts at all.

“Surfers in general have strong legs. It’s necessary for balance and performing maneuvers. The upper body is also worked hard through paddling.”

She rubs her hands together. “In other words, Miles has great legs and a strong upper body.”

“Tell you what. I’ll answer your question…”

She grins but I haven’t finished yet.

“If you can do a pull-up on thewall bar.”

“A pull-up?”

“Do you need me to demonstrate?”

I start walking to the wall bar but Caleb shoos me away. “I’ll demonstrate.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “By all means. Proceed.”

He jumps to the highest rung of the bar and I nod in satisfaction. He used both legs evenly. He didn’t favor his uninjured right leg. He folds his legs behind him and I evaluate the bending motion of his left leg. Looking good.

“One.” Caleb executes a perfect pull-up. “Two. Three.”

Maya leans close to whisper in my ear. “Should I tell him I know what a pull-up is? Or stand here and watch how sexy his biceps are?”

I point to the corner of my mouth. “You’re drooling.”

She motions to Caleb. “Have you seen him? Of course, I’m drooling.”

“Ten!” He announces before jumping off the wall bar. He bends his knees evenly as he lands. He doesn’t wobble in the least.

“Looking good, Caleb. I hate to say it, but I don’t think you need therapy anymore.”

“But you have the best equipment.”

I roll my eyes. “You work atHideaway Haven Resort.I happen to know Hudson equipped the gym with every piece of equipment a professional sports person could possibly need.”