Hallie realized that she was practically lying against him, his face close to hers.
“I think you should kiss Jamie,” he said in a low, seductive voice.
Ignoring his words, she moved back to the opposite side of the seat. “I thought you just met her, but she’s sending you kisses?”
“What can I say? Women fall for me.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “And do they manage to get your clothes off you?”
“Only if it’s very, very dark.”
Laughing, Hallie stood up and got his crutches. “What did she mean that the Tea Ladies left us something? And who are they?”
“I have no idea. Maybe they work for the B&B.” When he took the crutches, he acted as though he’d forgotten how to use them. “I’m going to need help getting down the stairs.”
“What if I remind you that the food is downstairs and you can’t have it unless you get down there?”
“I think part of being a good physical therapist is making sure your patient is fed.” He sounded serious.
“No, it’s not. In fact, even the massages aren’t part of it.” Smiling, she was walking backward toward the staircase. “I learned that art form in totally different classes that I took before I became a physical therapist. Used massage sessions to pay for school. In fact, they were—”
She broke off because she tripped on a loose corner of the big floor rug and was about to fall. But in a lightning-fast move, Jamie dropped his crutches and reached out to grab her. They went down together. He hit the floor hard, with Hallie on top of him, his braced leg to one side.
Hallie’s head hit his chest almost as hard as his back slammed into the floor. “Jamie! Are you all right?”
He lay on the rug, utterly still, his eyes closed.
She clutched his head in her hands. “Stay here.” Her voice was frantic. “I’ll call an ambulance.” She started to roll off him, but his arm held her tightly against him. “Let go! I have to—”
When she realized that he wasn’t even near being unconscious, she lay where she was, her upper body on his wide chest. “Let me guess. High school football taught you how to take down your opponent.” She saw the tiniest of smiles on his lips. “What were you? The entire defense team?”
His smile grew and she felt his stomach move in laughter.
“Let me up or I’ll—” Since she couldn’t think of anything to threaten him with, she put her elbows in the two spots on his chest where she knew she’d cause the most pain and pushed down.
“Yeow!” Jamie yelped, his eyes flying open.
Hallie rolled off him and stood up. “Can you get up by yourself or do I need to get a crane?”
“I think my back is broken,” he said, smiling up at her.
“That’s too bad. I guess I’ll have to get scissors to cut your shirt off and have a look at your bare back.”
Jamie gave a sigh, rolled over, grabbed a crutch, and stood up.
“It’s a miracle,” Hallie said and went down the stairs, Jamie not far behind her.
Waiting for them on the kitchen table was an afternoon tea so lavish it would have pleased King Edward VII. There were two tiered stands with three pretty plates on
each one, all of them loaded with food in miniature—two of each item. One stand had savory dishes: crustless sandwiches cut into shapes, miniature quiches, tiny pickled quail eggs, and dumplings tied up like little purses. The other stand held desserts: scones, tarts, pies the size of silver dollars, tiny bowls of creamy coconut pudding. From the look of it all, it was a smorgasbord of food from around the world.
There was also a steaming hot pot of tea, a jug of milk, a bowl of sugar cubes, and pretty cups and plates. To the side were glasses of champagne with raspberries in them.
“Beautiful,” Hallie said.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
They sat down at the table and Hallie poured the strong black tea and added milk to their cups, while Jamie filled their plates.