Page 9

His eyes widened as he realized the basement was as impressive as the main level.

He’d noticed the main level was set higher off the ground than most homes and the wide front porch covered the front of this lower level.

The other basement walls were glass or open, revealing the greenery beyond.

Stretching from the middle of the basement and toward the east was a large swimming pool.

It extended out of the basement with glass retractable walls that could enclose the entire space in the wintertime or at night.

There was a large open patio area with a cold plunge pool, hot tub, a patio dining set, and various chaise lounges.

“Wow again!” Lizzy’s exuberance returned. She rushed toward the main pool, kneeled on the concrete, and put her fingers in. Then she glanced back at him with a broad smile. “It’s warm!”

He trailed her, squatting down and feeling the warm water as well.

“Do you want to swim and try out the rest of this?” He gestured behind him.

There was a small workout area with a cable machine and free weights, and rooms up front they could explore as well.

He suspected the one with a steamed-up glass door contained a steam room.

The other could be a massage room or something equally fancy.

In the main pool, there were various silver pipes and jets that would massage a person’s head, neck, back, and legs. They could do the steam room, the cold plunge, the jets in the main pool, and then the hot tub.

He was excited to try it all out, especially after being on a plane for nine hours flying from Atlanta through the night.

The first-class suite meant he had a bed and more space than he’d ever had on a flight, but he had still slept intermittently.

He’d arrived at the airport in Salzburg late that morning, but by the time he got through customs and picked up the vehicle Brandon had waiting for him and drove to Hallstatt, it had turned into early afternoon.

“Um … I have a weight training routine as part of my therapy, but …” she trailed off and looked away.

“I don’t think I can lift weights with Mr. Ultra Buff Retired Military Hero.

I’d probably do it wrong in your too-confident opinion.

” She was still kneeling next to the pool, and she tucked her long dark hair behind her ear and peered up at him with those soft brown eyes.

She looked uncertain and not confident at all.

He chuckled, though it wasn’t really funny. Why was she embarrassed about her therapy? Did it have something to do with being attacked a month ago? “I doubt you’d lift the weights wrong; you look very fit.”

She focused on the water.

“I meant the steam room and cold plunge, not the weights.” He wouldn’t mind a good workout after being stuck on a plane, but he could lift tonight or in the morning. “Then we could soak in the hot tub and swim and use the jets in the pool.”

He didn’t offer to give her a massage ... if that really was a massage room. The very idea made him hot all over.

Lizzy looked like she would say no, though it was hard to tell as she was still focused on the water, her long dark hair partially covering her face.

“Or we could just hot tub if you don’t like hydrotherapy.”

“I get the gist based on hydro and therapy, but in real terms, I have no idea what that means,” she admitted, glancing up at him and worrying her lip.

“Oh. I’ve done it with Brandon in Park City.”

“Okay, Mr. Fancy Pants. So how does it work?”

Chase smiled, liking her spice despite her obvious discomfort. “First you sit in the steam room until you’re covered in sweat and your face is all hot and red.”

“Wow, what a fabulous time.”

He grinned. “Then you jump in the cold plunge.”

“It’s getting even worse.” She shivered and hugged herself.

He chuckled. “It feels amazing after being so hot and sweaty. Then we can go through a series with the jets massaging each part of your tired body in the main pool. Then we could either swim for a bit or sit in the hot tub.”

She blew out a breath. “It sounds very heavy with the sweating and the freezing.” She winked, and he was grateful she was teasing. “You didn’t sell this idea very well, but I want to be a fun adventure partner for you. I’ll give it a try.”

He grinned. “I’m happy you’re my adventure partner.”

She smiled but didn’t respond to his flirting attempt.

“Let’s hydrotherapy ourselves and relax all those tense muscles,” she said. “It was hard work flying over the ocean on a private jet with my own deluxe recliner that was more comfortable than my bed at home.”

“Exactly.” He hadn’t been in a private jet, but his flight had been nothing to complain about. “We deserve some relaxation, and there’s nothing on the schedule besides our catered dinner tonight.”

“Ooh, can we add a hike or mountain bike ride after dinner? I have to get out into these mountains and this magical scenery.” She gestured excitedly, but then she bit at her lip and looked at the water.

“Nothing intense. I’m not in the kind of shape you’re in, and I usually walk on a treadmill and bike on a spin bike. ”

“You look like you’re in fabulous shape.” He liked that she biked, walked, and lifted weights.

“Thank you.” She glanced away. “I go to weight training therapy every morning and I chase children around and bounce babies all day, so I stay in shape, but I’m not in the kind of cardio shape and weight-lifting shape that you are.” She gestured to him, and her cheeks darkened again.

That was the second time she’d referred to her weight training time as ‘therapy’. He wondered what the therapy was for.

“I’m in no rush, but I’d love to go on a bike ride or hike too, get out and explore this beautiful spot. Should we do that before the hydrotherapy?”

“It honestly pains my soul not to rush out into this gloriousness right now.” She flung a hand toward the exterior beauty.

He smiled at how delightful and impetuous she was.

“But my legs are pretty tired.” Her voice was quiet, and she didn’t meet his gaze. “I’ll have more strength after dinner.”

He nodded, wanting to ask more questions. Something was wrong with her legs? They appeared beautifully formed, revealed from the knees down in the sundress.

“Besides, you got me all excited about this water therapy,” she rushed on.

“I’d love to relax in that pool or hot tub and look at the views this afternoon.

After dinner, we could go on a walk and then soak in the hot tub again tonight.

Maybe in the morning we could go on a slow bike ride before the activity Madelyne has planned for us.

” Her voice pitched up in anticipation, or maybe nervousness.

“I’m excited to try all of it, be out in nature like I’ve never seen …

” Her voice quieted. “But I don’t want to slow you down. ”

He loved her ideas. They’d be active and spend a lot of time together. It sounded like an ideal way to start this odd vacation to him. “I don’t mind going slow,” he said. “Let’s do it all.”

“Yay.” She scrambled off her knees as if to stand, but she tripped toward the pool. Chase wrapped his hand around her elbow and steadied her, wrapping his other hand around her trim waist and helping her to her feet.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice huskier than it should have been. He liked touching her. He liked it very much. Her waist was smooth and trim. Was she being modest about not being as fit as him? She looked and felt like she was in fabulous shape.

Lizzy stared up at him. Those brown eyes of hers were incredible. He felt like he could see into her soul. She swayed toward him, and his hands naturally slipped around her lower back and pulled her in tight to his chest.

Then her eyes widened, and she backed away from him. Her foot slipped off the edge of the pool.

“Careful,” he cautioned, not releasing her as she would’ve fallen into the pool if he did. He gathered her close and lifted her easily away from the edge, setting her on her feet.

“Thank you,” she said, her pulse racing in her neck.

He had a moment’s hope that she would melt in his arms and arch up to kiss him, but she tugged out of his arms instead. Giving him an embarrassed smile, she turned and walked toward the stairs.

Chase followed her up to the main level and then up the wider staircase to the second story. He noticed she was limping. It was odd, but it was both of her legs that looked to be causing her to limp with her knees turned slightly inward.

“Lizzy.” His voice might’ve been too intense. “Are you injured?”

Her back stiffened, but she didn’t answer or glance over her shoulder at him. They reached the upper story, and she stepped away from the staircase and stopped, her eyes darting around at the four doors off the upstairs hallway.

Chase studied her. Why hadn’t she answered his question? “Are you hurt?” he repeated, even though he was certain she’d heard him.

“It’s heavy , my friend.” Lizzy pushed out a sigh, then gave him a bright smile and waved her hands, completely contradicting her words and sigh.

“Pardon me?” He’d done something wrong, but he wasn’t certain what. Then he realized … she must have a permanent injury and be embarrassed about it. No wonder she’d called her workouts ‘therapy’, and he’d asked what was wrong with her legs. Ah, he was an idiot.

He held up both hands. “Please. Forget I asked if it’s a sensitive subject. I thought maybe it was an injury from your attack …” he trailed off. He wasn’t making this any better. His lack of ‘women-wooing knowledge’, as Parker would call it, wasn’t helping.

Lizzy’s brown eyes grew brighter, and he knew he was saying and doing this all wrong. She was going to cry. Oh, no.

“‘Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,’” she sang softly.

Chase frowned. He had heard the words before but couldn’t place them.

“No worries,” she cried out, then hurried to the closest door and pushed it open. Bright light streamed into the closed-in hallway.

Chase peered through the open doorway and saw a bedroom with large windows.

“That’s not my suitcase,” she said, backing away and walking past him.

He noticed that same inward turn to her knees.

Had she been born with a physical disability and she was embarrassed about it?

His stomach churned with worry on how to address the subject and reassure her he wouldn’t make fun of her.

She’d wanted to hike and ride mountain bikes, so she must be physically able to do everything just at a slower pace.

She shoved open the door on the other side of the hallway. “There are my suitcases,” she said brightly. “I’ll change into my suit and meet you downstairs.”

Chase forced a smile. “Sounds great. Can’t wait.”

“I know, right?” She disappeared into her room and shut the door rather forcefully.

Chase studied the closed door. He’d messed this all up, and they’d barely known each other for half an hour.