"You can have something for that now," she said, reading the chart.
"I don't want a shot."
"Oral." She smiled. "And your breakfast is coming. Oh, Nurse Mannion said you'd need two trays. One for Mr. Thane?" Obviously enjoying the joke, she glanced toward the bathroom. "I'll be leaving in just a moment, Mr. Thane, and you can come out. She says he's a most handsome man," the nurse murmured to Brianna. "With the devil's own smile."
"He is."
"Lucky you. I'll get you something for the pain."
When the door closed again, Gray stepped out of the bathroom, scowled. "What, does that woman have radar?"
"Were you really in there? Oh, Gray, I thought you'd found a place to sleep. Have you been up all night?"
"I'm used to being up all night. Hey, you look better." He came closer, his scowl fading into a look of sheer relief. "You really look better."
"I don't want to think of how I look. And you look tired."
"I don't feel tired now. Starving," he said, pressing a hand to his stomach. "But not tired. What do you think they'll feed us?"
"You are not going to carry me into the house."
"Yes, I am." Gray skirted the hood of his car and opened the passenger door. "The doctor said you could come home, if you took it easy, rested every afternoon, and avoided any heavy lifting."
"Well, I'm not lifting anything, am I?"
"Nope. I am." Careful of her shoulder, he slipped an arm behind her back, another behind her knees. "Women are supposed to think this kind of stuffs romantic."
"Under different circumstances. I can walk, Grayson. There's nothing wrong with my legs."
"Not a thing. They're great." He kissed her nose. "Haven't I mentioned that before?"
"I don't believe you have." She smiled, despite the fact that he'd bumped her shoulder and the bruises on her chest were aching. It was the thought, after all, that counted. "Well, since you're playing at being Dark Lord, sweep me inside, then. And I expect to be kissed. Well kissed."
"You've gotten awfully demanding since you got hit on the head." He carried her up the walk. "But I guess I have to indulge you."
Before he could reach for the door, it swung open and
Maggie rushed out. "There you are. It seems we've been waiting forever. How are you?"
"I'm being pampered. And if all of you don't watch out, I'll get used to it."
"Bring her inside, Gray. Is there anything in the car she needs?"
"About an acre of flowers."
"I'll fetch them." She dashed off as the Carstairs hurried into the hall from the parlor.
"Oh, Brianna, you poor, dear thing. We've been so worried. Johnny and I barely slept a wink thinking of you lying in the hospital that way. Such depressing places, hospitals. I can't think why anyone would choose to work in one, can you? Do you want some tea, a nice cool cloth? Anything at all?"
"No, thank you, Iris," Brianna managed when she could get a word in. "I'm sorry you were worried. It was only a little thing, really."
"Nonsense. A car accident, a night in the hospital. A concussion. Oh, does your poor head ache?"
It was beginning to.
"We're glad you're home again," Carstairs put in, and patted his wife's hand to calm her.
"I hope Mrs. O'Malley made you comfortable."
"She's a treasure, I assure you."
"Where do you want these flowers, Brie?" Maggie asked from behind a forest of posies.
"Oh, well-"
"I'll put them in your room," she decided for herself. "Rogan'll be up to see you as soon as Liam wakes from his nap. Oh, and you've had calls from the whole village, and enough baked goods sent over to feed an army for a week."
"There's our girl." Drying her hands on a towel, Lottie bustled out from the kitchen.
"Lottie. I didn't realize you were here."
"Of course I am. I'm going to see you settled and cared for. Grayson, take her right on into her room. She needs rest."
"Oh, but no. Grayson, put me down."
Gray only shifted his grip. "You're outnumbered. And if you don't behave, I won't read you the rest of the book."
"This is nonsense." Over her protests Brianna found herself in her room being laid on the bed. "I might as well be back in the hospital."
"Now, don't make a fuss. I'm going to make you a nice cup of tea." Lottie began arranging pillows, smoothing sheets. "Then you'll nap. You're going to be flooded with visitors before long and you need your rest."
"At least let me have my knitting."
"We'll see about that later. Gray, you can keep her company. See that she stays put."
Brianna poked out a lip, folded her arms. "Go away," she told him. "I don't need you about if you won't stand up for me."
"Well, well, the truth comes out." Eyeing her, he leaned comfortably on the doorjamb. "You're quite a shrew, aren't you?"
"A shrew, is it? I complain at being bullied and ordered about and that makes me a shrew?"