"Not just our own. My mom makes enough to feed an army. For Christmas, all her neighbors and coworkers get a jar or two—made exactly the way they like it, from mild to hot, to extra hot."
"I wish I lived in your neighborhood. Chips and salsa are my favorite snack, although I hate to admit I'm a wimp when it comes to spice."
"There's no shame in admitting you can't handle the heat." The smirk he gave her said otherwise.
When they reached the edge of the pool again Gabe clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "Okay, I want us to do one more lap before we stretch. This time, lift your knee in front of you then rotate it out to the side before lowering it." He demonstrated, and Paige followed his example. "Lift the right knee every time, then we'll focus on the left leg when we make our way back." He continued to talk as they made their way across the pool. "This exercise stretches the inner thigh and works the outer thigh and glutes. It'll help with the weakness in the hip and low back."
They hadn't even made it halfway across the pool before Paige felt the tightness in every muscle Gabe mentioned. She appreciated that he explained the purpose of the exercises and how they would benefit her.
He did the same thing on Monday with Sam Hipwell, who had suffered a stroke that affected his speech and the left side of his body. Gabe’s patience and knowledge left her in awe. Every exercise he did with Sam was meant to help him get his life back.
Just like he's trying to do with me.
The problem was, she didn't want her old life back. However, her desire for a fresh start in Providence didn’t seem to be panning out.
They were halfway back across the pool, focusing on the left leg, when a sharp, stabbing pain seized Paige's hamstring.
"Ow!" She jerked her leg up and bent to rub the back of her thigh.
The rocking of the water tugged at her as she tried to balance on one foot. She hopped, trying to steady herself and ease the Charlie horse. After landing on Gabe's foot, she jerked sideways. Her heel hit the slope of the floor leading to the deep end and slid out from under her.
She plunged into the water. Releasing her still spasming leg, she flailed her arms, fighting to get her feet under her. But she couldn't find her footing in the deeper water.
Gabe's strong arms dragged her up and pulled her against his firm chest. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Cramp," Paige gasped and wriggled, desperate to ease the pain. "My left leg."
"In the hamstring?" Without waiting for an answer, his hand reached down and brought her left leg up to his side. "Flex your foot. Keep your leg as straight as possible." He widened his stance and braced her leg against his hip, then he reached around her thigh to rub her hamstring with his strong fingers. His other arm remained clamped around her waist, holding her secure against him.
Despite his grip on her, she clung to him; one arm around his neck, the other hand digging into the back of his arm.
"Is it letting up?"
"Not quite." The painful spasm had spread to her buttock, but she wasn't about to tell him that.
He hitched her leg a little higher. "Take deep breaths and let them out as slowly as possible."
She tried to do as he instructed, but being pressed against his wet, bare chest made it almost impossible to breathe. By the time the Charlie horse subsided, her heart raced like she'd just run a marathon. Gabe's embrace made her feel safe and very alive.
She couldn't help comparing him to Phillip. Physically, they werecomplete opposites, but they were both charismatic and friendly, always making others feel special. But Phillip had lied to her the whole time he’d showered her with compliments and affection.
Would Gabe do that?
She thought of all the sides she'd seen of Gabe over the past week and a half; compassionate and jovial, strong and caring. She assumed he was the same in his personal life if he spent his weekends helping his mom plant a garden. He wasn’t the type to mislead a woman and cheat on her. Was he?
"How does it feel now?" Gabe's voice was much huskier than a moment ago.
It sent a surge of warmth shooting through her. Her eyes darted to his face. When she locked gazes with his hooded yet intense stare, a thrum of excitement coursed through her.
"It's relaxing." She was so breathless, little sound came out.
His eyes narrowed as his head drifted toward hers. "Slowly lower your leg. Let's make sure the cramp doesn't return." Despite his words, it was another long moment before he released her leg and shifted his hand to her waist.
Goosebumps covered her thigh where his fingers grazed her skin. A pleasant shiver rippled through her, and she had to fight the urge to lean into him. She forced herself to loosen the hold she had on his arm and around his neck, but she felt so unsteady she didn't dare let go entirely. Her left hand came to a stop on his chest where his heart raced beneath her palm. It matched the rapid staccato of hers, which only ramped up the attraction coursing through her, stealing her breath.
"How does it feel?"
Paige didn't think it was possible for his voice to go any deeper, but it had, and it made her warm all over despite the cool water that surrounded them.
