Free Wait for Me by Samantha Chase Page A

time.  We’ll take care of the repairs and your car rental for however long it takes to get your car fixed.”  In that moment he sounded very much like a boss and Lucas saw something cross across Emma’s face.  Confusion?  Disappointment?
    “That’s very generous, Lucas.  Your father called while you were outside with the tow truck and he told me the same thing.  I don’t like or expect your company to take care of this expense but I appreciate the help.”
    “Well it was dad’s fault,” Lucas stated firmly, still angry at what could have happened to Emma because of his father’s inconsiderate behavior. 
    “I could have told him no, Lucas.  He didn’t hold a gun to my head and force me to drive up here.”
    “No but he certainly did all that he could to sweeten the deal for you.”  Emma frowned at that statement.  “What?  What’s the matter?”
    She looked over at him and gave a sad smile.  “I was actually really looking forward to it; the spa, the pampering, all of it.  I never indulge in things like that because it always seemed like a frivolous thing but once it was offered to me?  I found that I really wanted to do it.”
    “Well maybe you’ll get another chance.”
    “I’m not driving up here again until the summertime!” she joked and was rewarded when Lucas laughed with her.
    “How about someplace local?  I’m sure we can arrange something like that for you when you get back.”  Again, he came across sounding like her employer and even though that was exactly what he was, he still hated sounding like that to her.  “It’s the least we can do.”
    Emma seemed to sober instantly.  “That’s a very generous offer but I don’t expect the company to pay for a day at a spa for me.  It’s really not necessary.”  Her tone was formal, as if she were talking to someone in the office.
    They ate the remainder of their lunch in silence and Emma rose to take both of their trays into the kitchen.  “I don’t expect you to wait on me, Emma,” Lucas said, his eyes watching her as she moved around the room.
    “Well, you fussed over me yesterday when I was hurt and now it’s my turn to fuss over you.”
    “Why would you say that?” he demanded, sitting up straighter on the couch.  “I’m not hurt.”
    Emma stared at him point blank, eyebrows arched.  “Really?” she asked sarcastically.
    “Yes, really,” he replied defiantly.
    “Okay, stand up.”
    “What?”
    “You heard me.  Stand up.”  She crossed her arms over her chest and waited.
    “And what will that prove?”
    “Stand up and walk around the sofa without limping or scowling.”
    Lucas did not like the challenge in her tone.  “And if I don’t?”
    “Then you’ll just be proving me right.  I’m not a fool, Lucas; your knee is hurting and there’s no shame in that.  You probably messed it up yesterday carrying me up from my car and then again today helping the driver get my car out of the ditch.  Why is that so hard to admit to?”
    “Because you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” he snapped.  “There’s nothing wrong with my knee and I resent you saying that there is.”
    “Then prove it.”
    Rage built in Lucas faster than he thought possible.  In the two years since his injury, no one had provoked him like this.  People left him alone; even the physical therapists stopped pushing him when he refused to be challenged.  How dare Emma come here and make these ridiculous demands on him!
    Sure his knee hurt; anyone would feel some sense of pain after the way he had exerted himself in the last twenty-four hours.  But it wasn’t like he couldn’t handle it.  Lucas knew he could get up right now and do a damn jig and never let on that he was feeling any kind of pain.  He glared at Emma and saw that she hadn’t budged. 
    Fine.  He’d prove her wrong and then they could move on with their day.  Placing both hands firmly on the sofa Lucas braced himself and pushed to