Free Like Lightning by Charlene Sands Page A

his friends. Trey had been doing a good deed and Brittany had driven him home because he’d gotten hurt. “Well, congratulations on the baby. Do you know what you’re having?”
    She shook her head. “We want to be surprised.”
    â€œThat’s nice. I wouldn’t want to know, either,” she said, realizing this was the first time she’d really given any thought to having a child. Suddenly it was clear that she did want children. And she too wanted to be surprised. “I hope your husband’s back injury isn’t too serious.”
    â€œThe doctor told him to rest up a bit, but Paul’s a stubborn one, too, and wouldn’t stop, so Trey decided to come over and do the heavy work. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. Even my thrown-together suppers didn’t scare him away.”
    â€œYour suppers are delicious, Brit,” Trey said with sincerity.
    She smiled softly. “But now you’re hurt, too.”
    â€œIt’s not that bad.”
    Maddie disagreed, “It looks kind of bad, Trey. Maybe you should see a doctor.”
    He twisted his mouth, lifting his hand up. “For this? No way.”
    â€œI was hoping…” Brittany said to Maddie, a look of concern on her face.
    â€œOf course,” Maddie said instantly, fully comprehending. “I’ll patch him up.”
    Trey shook his head. “There’s nothing to patch up.”
    â€œYes, there is,” both women chorused.
    And before Trey could argue, Brittany’s husband pulled up in a white Ford Explorer. “Looks like my ride’s here,” she said, and after Maddie had been introduced to Paul, Brittany got into the car and waved farewell.
    Maddie turned back to Trey.
    â€œThere’s nothing to patch up,” he said stubbornly.
    Â 
    â€œSit down, Trey, and don’t be a baby,” Maddie said softly, pointing to the kitchen chair. She’d gathered up her medical supplies and was ready.
    â€œI don’t need any doctoring, Maddie,” he said again, but the woman wouldn’t take no for an answer.
    She stared at him with expectant eyes, so pretty, so dewy-grass-green, so determined. She’d accused him of packing a wallop the other day, but she was guilty of the same. One look at her sweetly concerned face had him sitting, obeying like a small puppy at obedience school.
    Trey didn’t want her to doctor him. He didn’t want her anywhere near him. She was too much of a temptation, too much of a distraction. He’d been trying to keep his distance, but living under the same roof with her made it damn difficult. Every time he got close to Maddie, he would do something stupid, like taking her into his arms and kissing her.
    Maddie set a bowl of warm water down on the table then took a seat close to him and the subtle scent of raspberries wafted by. She lifted his hand and set it into the water. “We’ll let it soak for a while.”
    She opened his hand carefully and with delicate care massaged his fingers. She stroked gently, easing soreness and bringing back circulation. It felt good, damn good. Trey closed his eyes and let the sensations run through his body. Maddie had a great touch. Maybe too great, he thought, because circulation began to build in another area of his body as well. He cursed under his breath.
    â€œDoes it hurt?” she asked immediately, lifting her head from the task.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI thought I heard you groan.”
    Trey kept silent.
    â€œI’m going to dry your hand, put on an antiseptic and wrap it.”
    â€œI can’t work with it wrapped.”
    Maddie smiled. “So you’ll take the day off tomorrow.”
    â€œI don’t take days off, Maddie. Not when I’m running the ranch on a shoestring.”
    Maddie shook her head, her doctoring instincts taking hold. She spoke in a stern voice, one Trey had never heard before. “You’re lucky you don’t need