“The antibiotics you bought were extremely high grade. It kicked whatever infection was brewing right out of your system.”
“I’ve used it before. It’s potent stuff. It was real nice waking up to your pretty face today, by the way.”
She beamed at him as she took out some eggs. “Fried or scrambled?”
“Is scrambled with cheese an option?” he asked eagerly. Suddenly, he felt as if he hadn’t eaten in a week.
“Of course. Do you want cheddar, swiss, or muenster?”
“Cheddar would be great. I’m easy to please,” he said with a wink.
“Good. I’m a lazy woman.”
“You are anything but lazy,” he contended without missing a beat. “This place looks great, and thanks for the new duds. I’m sorry that I was down for the count when it was time to shop and clean. I’ll make it up to you.”
“Sure you aren’t one of those guys who think a woman’s place is in the kitchen?”
“Hell no. I think their place is in the bedroom,” he quipped.
“You’re a funny guy. No sex until your wounds heal,” she countered. “Doctor’s order.”
“Fuckin’ hell, doll. How can you do that to a man?”
“Quite easily, I can assure you. You scared the crap out of me last night,” she said, sobering.
“Is that why you were sleeping beside my bed?”
Huffing out an exasperated breath, she stretched her neck a little. “You weren’t doing so well. I almost took you back to the hospital.”
“Glad you didn’t. I’m doing a lot better today, so you can stop worrying that pretty little head of yours.”
Her brows arched. “Easier said than done.”
Pushing his food around in the dish, Ryder said, “It occurs to me that I might not have made it if you hadn’t picked me up and helped me get those antibiotics. We call that a life debt.” His gaze rose to meet hers. “I won’t forget it.”
Setting down a large plate of eggs and toast in front of him, she just shook her head. “I don’t know anything about life debts. Just do me a favor and don’t get yourself shot again.”
Ryder went back to his food. Taking a huge bite, he remarked pleasantly, “I’ll try, doll. For you, I swear that I’ll try my very best.”
That seemed to perk her up again. “Maybe we can spend some time outdoors,” she suggested. “Fresh air might help you feel better.”
“I’d like that,” Ryder mused. “I don’t get the opportunity to just enjoy life very often.” And after the rough couple of days he’d had, the fresh air might do him good.
“I bought a couple of prepaid phones, in case you want to contact anyone.”
Damn this woman… She’d thought of everything. Thinking of everything that needed to be done, he said, “I’ll call my club and you can call your family. We have to keep it short and to the point though. Then we remove the batteries so they can’t be traced.”
“I’ll leave that to your good judgment. I don’t want to do anything to draw that frightening man to us again.” She visibly shivered, and Ryder hated that he’d dragged her into this.
“Thanks for not giving me a hassle about it,” he said sincerely. “Most women wouldn’t like being cut off from their friends and family.”
“I don’t have any other place for us to go. If he figures out we’re here, we’re kind of screwed.” Her nose scrunched up. “Nothing’s more important to me than you getting well right now. Last night was my last at St. Mary’s anyway. I was planning a relocation to a smaller city with more employment options. Competition for full-time jobs in this area is fierce.”
That was surprising to hear. “How is it you have so many nurses around these parts. Back home nurses are scarce.”
“I’ll bet they get paid well in that case. We have a couple of colleges that crank them out near St. Mary’s. I’ve thought about relocating for a long time. I always wanted to work in a private practice, but since they’re choice positions, they fill up fast.”
“It’s always good to nose around a little, if only to see what else is available,” he agreed.