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“It’s nothing,” Jessica insisted again.
Samuel locked eyes with her. The rich browns of her eyes glistened in the mid-morning light. “Given your track record? I don’t think you get to determine what’s nothing.”
Wednesday. Recovery Facility, Undisclosed.
Jessica Chapin sat on the window seat with the thick Sherpa blanket wrapped around her. She hadn’t yet fully warmed up from their morning fishing excursion. Despite the bright, clear skies, it was really freaking cold out there. Talk about a bait and switch.
Her fingers swiped across the bandage still wrapped around her thumb. Her skin tingled, and she thought she could almost feel Samuel’s touch still on her.
He was so mercurial. Grouchy and chastising her one moment, tender and protective another. Honestly, he gave her whiplash, but she had no illusions. Samuel Jenkins hated her. Or very close to it. And she understood why he might.
She’d stuck her nose where it technically didn’t belong. And she hadn’t backed out.
But how could she?
Her best friend, the only person she could share all parts of herself with, had been in danger. Of course, Jessica had done everything in her power to help. That was what friends did. And as close as she and Robin were? Hell yeah, Jessica had taken that bullet. She’d do it again, too.
She’d accepted early in their stay at the recovery center that Samuel was not going to warm to her. They were two completely different people. And while that was disappointing, seeing as they spent so much time together, she hadn’t pushed the issue. Very much. But every so often, he seemed to forget his dislike. And moments like this morning happened. But she had no illusions about how things might change; just very naughty fantasies. Could anyone blame her?
There were people in this world so perfectly formed they couldn’t be real.
When she looked at Samuel, that was what she saw. It was like some great creator of the universe had gathered only the finest of ebony material to personally craft this man and breathe life into him. It went beyond his outward appearance. Samuel was good to his very core. She doubted the man had ever so much as told a lie. And she respected the hell out of that. It took strength of character and more determination than most people had in their whole life to be as honorable as the good agent Samuel Jenkins. Which was honestly most of the reason why she hadn’t tried to wipe that grumpy attitude off his face. It was his one human trait.
She sighed and settled deeper into her little nest. Though she didn’t want to admit it, casting the fishing rod had made her ache in new places today and she wasn’t keen on putting more strain on herself. She’d already had one setback early on when she’d tried to do too much too soon.
Slow and steady was the only way she’d get back to normal.
Speak of the damn devil.
Samuel strolled out into the courtyard formed by the U-shaped building. There were paved walkways leading from the three doors on each wing to a central water feature that was currently turned off. The grass cultivated around the paths was springy and soft. The first time she’d been allowed outside, she’d lain in it and promptly got mud all over herself.
It had been worth it.
The graceful Native American nurse was with him. Jessica liked her. She had a very earthy, nurturing personality, and the best stories. It seemed like every week she had new earrings or a necklace made by some niece or nephew, all made out of the loveliest beads and other natural adornments. She was so patient, too, and Jessica had spent many long hours listening to stories about her family, her people, and her faith. Maybe when all this was over, Jessica would come back for a real visit and meet the people she’d heard so much about.
She watched the two as they rolled out yoga mats. Jealousy bit at her heels. She wanted to be allowed to do any sort of outdoor activity.
Damn ribs.
She watched as Samuel lifted his arms, then let them fall back down slowly with his breathing. Jessica grinned and reached for her mug of hot chocolate. Talk about a show worth watching.
Samuel was the whole package. He was good inside and so nice to watch. The way he moved implied ever-present control. As if he were always poised and ready to act. Given his usual, too-serious expression, he made her think of an always watchful warrior of some proud nation, adorned with honor and prestige, yet masquerading as a normal guy. He was just too regal to be real, which was why she liked needling him.
The way Samuel moved through the basic poses was fluid. It was clear he wasn’t new to yoga. Every now and then, he shifted only for the nurse supervising him to shake her head. Samuel would grimace and return either to a neutral standing or sitting position.
It was nice to see Jessica wasn’t the only person chafing at the bonds of what they were and weren’t cleared to do.
His long arms swept up over his head, elongating his body as he reached toward the sky. She sighed and sipped her drink.
He had to be almost ten years older than her.
Of course.
For as long as she’d been aware of the opposite gender, she’d had a thing for older guys. When Robin found out their third year, the guy she’d been dating was twelve years her senior, she’d freaked out. Not without reason, which Jessica could freely admit now. She didn’t always pick great ones.
She’d tried dating guys her own age. Or at least closer to her age. But she never had anything to talk about with them.
Growing up as the youngest of five with a ten-year age gap between her and her siblings had created a sort of perfect storm. Her parents wanted to be done raising kids. Her siblings had left the house by the time she really needed them. And she’d had to weather her adolescence mostly alone. So long as she was home to say goodnight and showed up at school, her parents hadn’t cared what she did.