“I’ll bet. It’s nice to see you again, Natalie,” Tilly bit out through clenched teeth. She kept one arm around Maverik, needing his strength and wanting to show that her place was with the Birks men.
“I’m sure,” Natalie replied. “I’m going to put these towels in the washer.”
“What are all the towels for?” Tilly asked Maverik.
“Sponge bath,” answered Natalie, with a smug wiggle of her head.
Tilly blanched at the thought of this woman’s hands all over Brayden. “That’s not necessary. He has a hand sprayer in the guest bath.” And he’d used it quite well yesterday.
Natalie cocked her hip to the side and gave Tilly a doubtful look. “And limited mobility. He said it felt wonderful to getallof him clean.” She flounced off to the laundry room, which was off the kitchen.
Tilly chewed her lip. She wished she had a comeback, but honestly, she just wanted to trip Natalie. She wouldn’t, though, not with Maverik watching. Natalie had no idea how lucky she was that Brayden’s dad was in town.
Maverik rubbed the back of his neck and ducked his head. “She’s been a big help. She’s a nurse, so I didn’t think …”
She hadn’t done that great of a job hiding her dislike for Natalie. Maverik was more astute in reading women than Brayden was. She’d have to remember that. She forced herself to brighten. “It’s fine, Mav.” She kissed him on the cheek. “If you needed help, why didn’t you call me?”
“Brayden said not to. He said you’d been running yourself ragged taking care of him and you deserved a day off.” His eyes softened. “How are you? When I heard about the accident, I was scared—for both of you.”
She hugged him again, soaking up his care. Why were dad hugs so soothing? “I’m good. So much better.”
“Promise?” He searched her face, his eyes outlining the yellowing around her eye. Doc Burningham said two more days and it would be completely gone. She was counting on that.
“Promise.” She pulled away. “I’m going to see Brayden.”
“He told me what happened yesterday.”
She paused, her foot landing funny. The brace did its job, and she straightened. “He did?”
Maverik nodded sagely. “He’s grieving baseball, and he’s angry right now. He shouldn’t have taken it out on you, and he knows it.”
Tilly nodded, cupping her elbows with her hands. She’d bet Maverik had told Brayden what’s what.
He stepped into the kitchen. “I’m going to make some tacos for lunch. Plan on it.”
“Sounds great.” She was already halfway down the hall, ready to make amends with Brayden. So he’d yelled. He was upset. It was possible that she’d misread him and the accusation in his eyes had been aimed at himself.
She found him propped up in bed, looking clean and fresh. Crap. He looked so fine, she wanted to jump in with him, cuddle up, and forget all that had happened in the last three weeks. “You look hot.” She smiled as she moved to sit on the side of the bed and take his hand. His skin was warm and he smelled faintly of soap.
“It feels nice to be clean.” One side of his mouth lifted. “Weird to shower in my sliders, but I’ll take what I can get.”
She brought the back of his hand to her cheek, needing to be closer to him. She wasn’t used to insecurities in their relationship. They’d been solid since the first date, when he’d whispered that she was as beautiful as the stars in the heavens. A lovely shiver had run over her skin, and she’d melted into his kiss.
He watched her for a moment, his eyes full of so many emotions she couldn’t pin one down. Slowly, he pulled his hand away and his emotions cleared, leaving a mixture of desperation and resolution.
Her pulse picked up speed in response. She opened her mouth, intent on cutting off his train of thought. “Do you want to go out tonight? Your dad likes that chicken place.”
“I’m good here.”
“I could pick up some takeout.”
“No. Listen—”
“I’m not sure I want to.” Whatever he was going to say wasn’t going to be pleasant. Breathing was harder than it should be, the air sucking out of the room.
He pressed his lips together and narrowed his eyes. “We all have to do things we don’t want to do.”
She bristled at his patronizing tone. “You mean like tell a certain nurse it’s time to go home?”
