“No. It’s just that I’m staying there. The only person I met was your sister-in-law Ziva. Oh no. I was supposed to have lunch with her today, said half disappointed. She had seemed like someone I would really want to get to know, if it hadn’t been for at the direction of Jasper.
“Well, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it’s after supper time and you won’t be going anywhere. It looks like you’re spending the rest of your vacation here in the hospital where I can keep an eye on your vitals.”
Shit.“I’m not on vacation. I work for Ja…Mr. Florraz. And I can’t stay here. I have work to do.”
“Mr. Florraz will have to ask someone to fill in for you because for the next few days, your only job is to follow doctor’s orders and get better. Understood?” he stated in a firm tone. “I need to monitor you for infection.”
I wasn’t happy about it, but I got it. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” he nodded. “Since you seem to be doing okay, are you up for a visitor?”
It had to be Burke. “Sure, send him in.”
Logan nodded and left my room. A moment later the door opened. It was Jasper.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, knowing that I sounded ungrateful. That wasn’t the case at all. Logan had just told me that Jasper probably saved my life. What I didn’t know was how he got into my room in the first place.
“Don’t worry, I’m not here on business,” he said. When he came closer, I noticed he was carrying flowers. “I hear it is tradition to bring flowers to someone in the hospital.”
Okay, I know I’m on some pain meds, but what the hell is going on?Jasper is being…nice to me? Damn, I must’ve really looked like I was going to die.
I still had an IV in my arm, but I reached up for the flowers anyway. “Thank you,” I said, sincerely. They weren’t flowers I was familiar with, then again, it’d been years since anyone had given me any. “They are beautiful.” To me, they looked like a a multi-colored iris. Maybe when I feel better and have my phone, I’ can research them because Jasper didn’t seem like the type of man who like to discuss flowers.
“How are you feeling?” his tone soft and tender.
“I’ve been better, but from what the doctor told me, I’ve been worse.” I reached up and pretended to scratch my ear. The earpiece wasn’t there. Why would it? It could’ve fallen out during surgery. Although I wish Burke was still listening, right now, I was glad I had a few minutes alone with Jasper. No matter what, Logan made it clear that I might not be alive it wasn’t for Jaspers quick action. I owed him. That didn’t mean I was walking about from the mission, just altering it a bit. I’ll get the information Burke is looking for, but doing it my way. Until I know for sure that he’s a totally piece of shit, I needed to cut him some slack. Not much, but enough so I could get to know who Jasper Florraz really is. “I guess if it wasn’t for you, I might not even be alive.”
Jasper’s jaw tensed, which was the only sign that what I said was true. “I’m just glad that I came to see you when I did.”
“Me too. But it looks like I might need to take a bit of time off work. The doctor wants to keep me here for a few days.”
“There is only one thing I want, and that is to ensure you are taking care of yourself,” he said seriously. “Actually, when you are released from the hospital, I want you to stay with me.”
“At your suite?” My mind definitely wasn’t clear. What is a few floors’ difference going to make?
“No. My home. It would be less stressful and a good place for you to recover while you work.”
I really needed to talk to Burke. My surgery had put a major kink in the plan, but this invitation might be the in that Burke had wanted. If Jasper let his guard down anywhere, surely it was at home.
Burke had told me to go with my gut. Unfortunately, my gut had stitches and I wasn’t sure if I should trust it. Granted, I may not be in tiptop shape, but I was here on a mission and you don’t walk away just because the plan changes.
“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to inconvenience you in any way.” Just want to spy on you.
“You won’t. I’ll talk to the doctor and make sure that whatever you’re going to need, will be at my home. Now I should probably go and let you get some rest. You look…”
“Like hell,” I said.
Jasper shook his head. “No. Tired.” He touched my arm and added, “I’ll come by and check on you tomorrow.”
I laid there watching as he left my room. He wasn’t the asshole I thought he was. Or maybe all my good judgment had been stored in my appendix. With it removed, I’m screwed.
I looked around. The room didn’t have a phone., nor did I see my cell phone anywhere. I wanted to call Burke and provide a status report.
There were two choices, I could ask Logan to get a message to him or wait it out and hope he shows up to visit me. So far Logan knew I had served in the military-he didn’t need to know the link between me and Burke. That would raise questions throughout the entire Henderson family. Burke might be thinking the same thing and avoiding any further contact with me until I return to New Hope.
If I do go back.Jasper threw me a curve ball with his announcement of my staying with him. But if Burke was here, I’m sure he’d agree, this is the opportunity he’d been hoping for. Jasper was letting me in. And I feel like shit acting on it.
The only thing that was keeping me from walking away now was the truth.
Forcing myself to relax, I decided there was only one thing to do.
Rest and heal. Doctor’s orders.