Page 14 of Theirs to Treasure

“No, I never served.”

“Then why did you ask if I had more issues than my injury? How did you know to ask that?” Again, his voice reeked with command, and Josie responded to it.

“I was badly injured once, and the fallout was bad. I ended up with nightmares and panic attacks. It took me a long time before I could function normally again.” Sam set down his fork and turned on his stool so that he was facing her. Josie turned to look at her food.

“That’s quite a reaction to an injury. How were you injured?”

“It was a long time ago.”

“Turn around and look at me.” Josie immediately turned in her stool and gasped in pain at the sudden movement. Sam clasped his big hands at her waist, bracing her while turning her around the rest of the way so that she was facing him. “Would it help to be sitting in a chair with a back?”

“I’m alright if I don’t make sudden moves,” Josie responded, very conscious of his warm hands holding her.

“Josie, could you please start answering the questions I ask you.” Looking up at Sam, she saw that he looked frustrated, almost angry. She replayed the last two minutes in her head, and realized she’d deliberately not answered one question, and then unconsciously not answered another, and it seemed to frustrate him. Okay, piss him off.

“Yes, it’s easier for me if I sit in a chair with a back.”

“Soft or hard backed?” He clipped out the question.

“Right now, a soft-backed chair.” Before Josie had a chance to finish her answer, Sam slid off his stool, lifted her up, strode into the family room, and placed her onto a sofa. He waited while she eased herself against the back of the sofa until she was in a comfortable position, then he sat down beside her. He looked at her and re-asked his question.

“How were you injured?” This time he asked the question gently, and Josie had no defense.

“My mom shoved me down the stairs.”

Sam reached out and grasped her hand. “How old were you, Baby?”

“I was thirteen.” As Sam swooped in to take her into his arms, she brought her hands up to push him away. “Stop. I just can’t do this right now. What time is it?” She watched as he tried to understand her question. When he did, he glanced at his watch.

“It’s almost five-forty-five.”

“I’ve got to leave. Elise doesn’t have a key to the bakery. I need to be there to open. I just can’t do this now.” Josie saw how conflicted he was.

Sam really was a kind man. She could see he wasn’t just trying to satisfy some morbid curiosity. He really cared about what had happened to her and wanted to offer comfort. But she couldn’t handle it. She never talked about this anymore. She’d done her time on a shrink’s couch, and now the past was the past. She had a new life, focused on the future.

But when he tenderly cupped her cheek, she wanted to melt into his touch.

“I’ll take you home, but don’t think we’re done.” Josie saw the promise in his eyes. It scared her, but maybe she had a way to dissuade him.

“If you really want to talk about my past, then you must lay your cards on the table, too. I want to know about your injury. I want to know everything. Then you’ll have earned the right to hear my story.” She wasn’t surprised to see the warmth in his eyes shut down as he crawled back into his own protective shell.

Josie began the process of easing up from the couch, damning her time seated at the barstool. Her back was killing her. Once she got to the apartment, she needed to get into a corset and take a pain pill before going to work. She might even need two pain pills, and she hated the fuzzy effect they had on her. Elise would have to work the cash register this morning.

Before she could get to her feet, Sam had once again lifted her into his arms. “Put me down, you big oaf. I’m too heavy for you to lift.” She looked up into his face, and he just arched a brow. “Seriously, Sam. Obviously you’re injured, and carrying me around can’t be good for you.”

“I have a head injury. There is nothing wrong with my back or legs. Anyway, I’ve had to carry more weight than you through the desert, so this is easy.”

Josie had to admit it felt wonderful to be in his embrace, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He took her to her car, and once again settled her into the passenger seat and hooked her seat belt. She smiled to herself. This seatbelt thing was extreme. What was worse was that she liked it.

“You can’t mean to drive me into town. How are you going to get back to your house?”

“I’ll jog back. You interrupted my morning exercise. Driving would hurt your back, wouldn’t it?” He looked at her, and she slowly nodded. He seemed satisfied that she’d answered honestly and started the car. They drove in silence to the bakery.

“Stay put, I’ll help you out of the car.” Josie waited, grateful to have him help her out of the passenger seat. Just in the short ride, she’d stiffened up. Josie held out her hand for her stuff from the trunk, and once again just received that arched eyebrow, and she realized he would be walking with her to her apartment like a pack mule. At least he wasn’t carrying her up the stairs. God knew what the people of Fate Harbor would have to say about that.

“I should have realized that the barstool was a bad idea,” Sam said as he easily navigated the apartment key and opened the door for her. He ushered her in and followed, gazing around the small apartment. Josie held her breath, waiting to see what he would think of her little home. “I like this, Josie, it fits you. I like all the color. The blues and greens and pops of red seem to suit you.”

“Thanks, it makes me happy. I have to go get changed.” She started toward the bedroom, slowly and stiffly, when Sam stopped her.