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“I told him I would.” The annoyance in her voice is tinged with affection and my heart swells. “I want a Union win tonight, so I’ll wait until later to tell him you cried.”
“Shut up,” I swat her arm before leaning my head on her shoulder and closing my eyes, “...but that’s probably a good call.”
“You’re resting when we get back to the house,” Rachel says, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. “I can’t believe they put you through this so soon after surgery.”
Rachel gets me back to Stefan’s house and settled onto his couch, propping up my leg the way the surgeon instructed when he talked with her after my surgery, and Stevie jumps up onto the couch, curling up beside me, laying her head across my lap.
“...she’s fine…” Rachel’s voice drifts in from the kitchen. “I got her home and she’s resting…yeah, it was a rough session…yes, but only after she takes a nap. Okay, talk to you later, Morrow.”
Closing my eyes as Rachel steps into the living room, I lean my head on the back of the couch when she sits down beside me.
“You didn’t have to call him,” I whisper, trying to hide a yawn. “I would have done that.”
“I promised him I would,” she answers softly. “He doesn’t want you to call until after you nap.”
“I’m not a child, Rachel,” I sit up and turn to her with as much indignance as I can muster. “I don’t need to be told when to nap.”
“You’re right,” she agrees, “but, youarethree days post-op, just had a rough physical therapy session, and I know for a fact that you haven’t slept well since the injury. I won’t tell you that youhave tonap, but I will suggest that you do.”
“How do you know I haven’t been sleeping?”
“Because I knowyou, Francine.”
“Rach…”
“Franny, I remember the last time you were injured and how badly it disrupted your sleep. And that was just a hamstring pull.”
“Fine. I’ll take a nap, but only because Iwantto and not because you told me to.”
“Thank you.” Rachel kisses my shoulder and squeezes my hand. “I’d feel better if you tried to sleep in a bed but understand why you won’t until you talk to the surgeon.”
“Go away Rachel, I’m trying to nap.”
Playfully pushing Rachel out of the way, I arrange the pillows and blankets and stretch out on the couch. Stevie hops down and waits for me to get situated before jumping back up onto the couch and stretching out beside me. Running my hand through her fur, it doesn’t take long for my eyes to finally drift shut.
CHAPTER 15
CHOSEN FAMILY
STEFAN
We wonin Ottawa last night, and I was restless for the whole plane ride back to Detroit this morning. Now I’m finally home, and the last person I want to deal with right now is Rachel Winters. I’m glad she’s been staying with Francine, and keeping me posted on how things are going, but I just want some time with Francine, all to myself.
“Morrow,” she meets me at the front door with Stevie clipped to her leash, “we were just getting ready for a walk. Come with us.”
I don’t know Rachel well, but I know enough to know that arguing with her is a bad idea. So I drop my bags just inside the front door before turning around and following her out of the house.
“Good game last night,” Rachel says as we head down the driveway. Stevie leads, and Rachel dutifully follows. “Nice to see you back on your line.”
“Thanks,” I respond with a laugh, “it felt good to be back. Helped to know she was in good hands.”
That earns me a half smile from Rachel, transforming her features. Rachel doesn’t offer smiles freely, at least not to me. She smiles a lot when Francine is around, and who wouldn’t?Francine’s joy is infectious. When Rachel smiles at me I feel as though I’ve earned more than just a smile.
“Franny and I have been through a lot together,” Rachel says, eyes straight ahead. “I’ve seen her through a few injuries. She’s seen me through my share of tough times, too.”
A shadow crosses Rachel’s face as we continue to walk, and a litany of questions pass through my brain, but not any I can ask her. I haven’t earned that right. Not yet.
“Listen, I know I gave you a hard time,” Rachel turns to me when Stevie stops us at her favorite mailbox on the street, “but I know you love Franny. And so do I.”
