Page 8 of Found in Wild Sage

“If you’re at all uncomfortable being here with me alone, I can⁠—”

“No. Declan—Dr. Ryan. No. I’m not uncomfortable.”

Something I can’t decipher flickers over her face, then she adds, “At least, not with being alone with you.”

This is good news, though not a surprise. We interact regularly and she’s never seemed uncomfortable around me. I can’t imagine she’d let me hug her child, or even be his doctor for that matter, if she did. Still, I’m immensely happy to hear her say it.

There’s no time to appreciate her words, so I ignore the small starburst of warmth in my gut and mentally move on. I’m eager to learn the source of her discomfort because it is radiating off her. “Let’s go to the break room and eat while Mags is giving us a minute.”

She nods and grabs the food and drink tray. I follow her, eyes directly ahead because I am a professional, respectful person who will not allow—damn. Best laid plans fail in the literal wake of her perfection, as always inevitably happens where she is concerned. I was a goner since the first time I saw her, that carefully packed container of emotions spilling out like a jack-in-the-box set loose. Every curve and line of her calls to me, appeals to me.

No.

I wipe that clean. Respectful. Mind calm. I cannot predict how this will go, but I’m as anxious for this conversation as I have been for anything in recent memory.

We sit and I pass her a peach iced tea, then set my lemonade in front of me while she sets a sandwich in front of each of us. By unspoken agreement, we both unwrap our lunches and take bites. I’m glad she’s not trying to talk yet because she needs to eat. I’ve observed Evie in many states over the last year of knowing her, and I can confirm she handles everything better when fed.

How very human of her.

If I’ve taken notice of what she prefers and how she looks when satisfied by something, it means only that I like to know such things. It’s not because I occasionally drop my mental guard enough to fantasize about being the very thing that might accomplish such a task.

Ahem.

As a doctor who often did long and back-to-back shifts in busy hospitals where breaks for meals were unpredictable, I’m used to eating when I can and handling it when I can’t. As a soldier who deployed and worked in field hospitals under intense pressure and ate whatever was served, I’m always pleased to sit comfortably in an air-conditioned room and eat food I actually like.

This lunch, in itself, would be a simple joy. Sitting with Evie… It’s a pleasure, even with the discussion we need to have.

After a few minutes, the peaceful quiet evaporates and she’s climbing out of her skin, tugging at the sleeve of her cardigan and legs fidgeting under the table, but seems determined not to speak first.

I don’t mind. I’m the one who suggested this in the first place.

“Ready?” I set the last half of my sandwich down.

“Yes, please.”

God, she’s charming, even when stressed.

“Have you considered what I said?”

She makes an odd, almost strangled-sounding laugh. “A bit. And, I have to tell you, I don’t know why on earth you’d say such a thing.”

I blink. “I assumed that was obvious.”

She blinks. “Um, was it? Was it obvious that my boss slash friend-type office coworker person would offer to marry me because I have a crappy ex?”

I will tease through the boss slash friend-type office coworker person at another time. “It was obvious that I offered because I’m in a position to help you and Charlie, and I want to do so if you view that as a viable avenue.”

I am sounding more or less like a document written out in legalese and not like a human man.

So it’s going perfectly.

But she likely already thinks I’m fairly robotic and stale. Seems to be the trend for women I take interest in. So it tracks I’m living up to the image here.

“A viable…”

She’s evidently still absorbing my words. I have nothing to add that will help her. I need her to see the logic here.

She takes a drink of her tea, but when she lifts her gaze to meet mine, I finally register how exhausted she looks. My stomach lurches. I didn’t sleep much last night, but I see she likely hasn’t slept in days.