She shifts off the towel to gather it up and fold it, but she doesn't stand. I hand the cooler off to Madi to put it in the back of the cart and move back to where Lindsey is kneeling. "Hey. What's going on? Talk to me."
She ducks her head and makes a show of looking through her oversized tote.
"Nothing. Just—just making sure I have everything."
"Need a hand up?"
"I'm fine," she insists, even though she doesn't move.
She grabs a half-drank water bottle from her bag and takes a long sip, shooting me a look over the top. She replaces the cap and tucks it away once more before giving in and holding up her hand.
I brace the crutches out and stand like a tripod to tug her to her feet, watching while even more color drains from her face.
"Whoa," she says softly, eyes squeezed tight as she leans against me. "Head rush."
Her hands are on my arms, gripping me, as she lowers her forehead to my chest.
"You sure that's all it is? If you're not feeling well, we can head back to Carolina Cove."
"Don't you dare," she says in a low voice.
She lifts her head to glare at me, looking more than a little muddled but fierce. And gut-clinchingly beautiful.
"I'm fine."
Uh-huh. I might believe her if she wasn't visibly wobbly. "Okay. Let's get to the restaurant to cool down and get some food in you. Maybe that'll help."
She doesn't move, and neither do I.
"Lindsey, come on! I'm hungry!" Dani cries as she runs toward us.
Dani takes hold of Lindsey's hand, and I frown at my daughter. "Easy, baby girl. She's dizzy."
"That's okay. I'll help you, Lindsey. I've got you," she says, repeating one of her daddy's favorite phrases.
I watch as Lindsey softens at my daughter's words, and I grip the crutches more tightly.
That right there?
That's why I need to keep my hands to myself. It's not just me who'll be hurt if I were to follow through with kissing Lindsey again and risking our relationship. Dani and Mads have to be considered, and God knows they've both been through hell already.
I follow my girls and reluctantly allow Mads to continue driving us, even though it's against the rules. But even I have to acknowledge Madi's perfectly capable of driving the golf cart and has done extremely well, taking it nice and slow. I can't drive with the cast, and Lindsey can't, being as lightheaded as she is. Our only other option is a seven-year-old speed demon.
Madi drives us to the restaurant, and I praise her once we arrive. She's done a fantastic job, license or not. But we will be working to get that license so she can legally drive as soon as possible. Thankfully the trails and pace are slow, and Madi's listened to every word I've said about slowing down or speeding up as needed.
The restaurant is the most casual of those the older couple had mentioned, and while I'm still uncomfortable with them paying for our lunch, I get their desire to do so. It's one of the things I love about living in Carolina Cove. People care. And thank-yous are the norm. It's not the first time I've walked up to a cash register to pay only to discover the tab's already been anonymously taken care of.
I remind myself of that as the ladies and I enter the restaurant and head to the bathrooms first to wash our hands. We regroup at the hostess stand, and I can tell Lindsey has splashed her face due to the damp hair around her face and spiky lashes.
A smiling young woman takes us to a prime table by the windows featuring the gorgeous view. It's cool in the restaurant, and I see Lindsey lifting her face to bask in the air blowing over her skin.
She's still too pale and far too quiet. Hopefully the AC break and food will help.
I see the waitress heading our way, and the moment she arrives, I request some fruit and crackers to be brought out immediately due to a medical issue.
The twenty-something waitress leaves to go grab the request, and Lindsey gives me a chiding look.
"I'm fine."
