Page 34 of River & Rue

“Something like that.”

Against my will, my gaze flickers to the book now lying open over his knee. The back cover is dominated by a sundress-clad woman bent over a tree stump and looking seductively over her shoulder.

“Wanna borrow it when I’m done? Riveting stuff.”

“No, thanks.” Lifting my hands, I shuffle a few steps backward. My heel catches on uneven stone, but thankfully the meds are kicking in; I only feel a twinge as I regain my balance. “I’m not really into smut books.”

Kirk’s smile flips to a scowl. He probably thinks he’s intimidating, but the look has about the same threat level as a growling Pomeranian. He closes the book and shoves it into the chest pocket of his battered overalls. It barely fits, two-thirds of it poking out and the pages bowing.

“It’s called romance, and smart men read it. There’s no better way to understand a woman’s mind.”

I nod, somehow managing to keep a straight face. “I believe you. I’m sure it’s full of wisdom.”

“Damn straight.” Appeased, his I’m probably high smile returns. “Doc’s about forty-five minutes out, so we’ve got some time on our hands. You wanna use the spa showers and get that mud off? They’ve got hot water for days, and the lockers have fancy lounge pants and robes for you to put on after. While you do that, I can head over to the Lodge and grab you some breakfast. How’s that sound? Good?”

His tone is nonchalant, but he’s blinking rapidly and wringing his hands in his lap like he’s nervous I’ll say no. My eyes narrow as it occurs to me that Claudia likely pressured him to ensure my health and comfort. Can’t have PAC’s best asset out of commission or, god forbid, forced to leave due to injury.

I scratch the back of my neck, grimacing when grit comes away under my fingernails. And that decides it—I’m not passing on a shower with guaranteed hot water just because I’m annoyed.

Rue has probably emptied our hot water tank by now anyway.

“A shower and food sound great.” Kirk looks thrilled, then crestfallen when I add, “But I’m going to pass on the energy healing.”

“What? No way! You need the doc. She’ll fix you right up.”

The desperate glint in his eyes has me shuffling back a few more steps.

“I’m good, really. All I need is rest. And a heating pad and an ice pack if they’re available.”

Kirk’s face puckers like I shoved a lemon into his mouth. His eyes close, his knuckles blanching where they grip the bench. When he begins heaving, each breath shallow and whistling, I panic.

I’m about to yell as loud as I can for Debra when he sneezes. Then sneezes again. And again. Every sneeze is accompanied by a full-body convulsion and ear-splitting, “ACHOO!”

He doesn’t cover his mouth.

Sunlight glistens on the alarmingly wide sprays of saliva as they peak and fall. Even though I’m out of range, I take another handful of steps back.

The violence finally ends. Kirk wipes his nose on the back of his hand, then grabs the book that fell out of his pocket during one of his mini-exorcisms.

“Hot damn, I needed that.”

A standard bless you is way too tame for what just happened, so I say, “Glad you survived,” then jab a thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to head for the showers.”

Kirk sniffs and gives me a petulant look. “Did you know Qigong and acupuncture have been around for over four thousand years? Their benefits are well documented too. Even if you don’t subscribe to the mystical principles, what have you got to lose?”

My back is beginning to hurt from standing this long. I’m itching everywhere and starting to feel queasy from taking medication on an empty stomach.

But it’s Kirk’s droopy, dejected face that breaks me.

“You know what? Fine.”

Leaping to his feet, Kirk throws his arms in the air and whoops like I just told him Jerry Garcia is alive and the original Grateful Dead are going on tour.

“I knew you had it in ya, champ!”

Before I know what’s happening, he’s bounding toward me. Skinny legs pumping. Sasquatch feet pounding. Straw hat listing.

He’s moving too fast.