Free Rescue Me (a quirky romance novel about secrets, forgiveness and falling in love) by Sydney Allan Page B

hotel close to the airport, so I won't have to drive across town in a taxi?"
    "There's no guarantee Heidi's going to make it," he said, hoping he was reading Hailey's mood right. "But she has the best team of doctors in the state. You can trust them."
    She nodded, still facing the window. "I know."
    One hand steering, he reached with the other one and took her hand in his. The action felt so right and so natural it made him smile.
    She finally turned her head, first dropping her gaze to his hand, which lay on top of hers. Her fingers curled over the top of it and she squeezed. Then, she looked up, scowled and tugged her hand from his grip, turning away from him again.
    "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I was trying to help," he said into the heavy silence pressing upon his head and heart. He could swear he heard every inch as it swept by them.
    "It's okay. Really."
    "Do you want to talk about it? I've been told I'm a good listener." He tried to keep his voice upbeat and casual, but knew he failed miserably.
    The remaining miles were spent in silence, but once they pulled into his driveway, Hailey smiled softly, taking him by surprise.
    "On second thought," she said, stepping from the car. "I think I will accept your generous offer of hospitality."
    Uneasy with having her in his home another night, he watched her climb the stairs and wait at the front door.
     

 
     
     
Chapter 6
     
     
    Misery hidden behind the fakest smile she'd ever worn, Hailey waited at the top of the stairs for the strangely alluring doctor who'd forced his way into her life. Somehow, he'd managed to drag her back to the city she had vowed never to step foot within, and he had turned her brain to mush. All in a little more than thirty-six hours. If she weren't so overwhelmed, she might have found him amusing.
    He finally stepped from the car and strolled up the sidewalk, stopping next to her. With his head tipped down, he eyed her, caution and curiosity reflected in his expression.
    She beamed in return, sending his brows even closer over his aristocratic nose.
    She laughed, not so much because she felt like it. No, if anything, she felt like crying. Hard, long, soul-shattering sobs. But the laughter would have to suffice, and as crazy as it was, it actually made her feel better. When the surge of cachinnation ceased, she cleared her throat with a soft cough and waited for him to open the door.
    He stepped into the foyer and turned on a light. "Would you like something to drink? I have soda, beer, wine--"
    "Do you have any tea? I could use something warm and sweet right now." She followed him to the kitchen and watched him sift through the contents of a cabinet. Her vision blurred, and she mindlessly stared through him, thinking of her sister. "How's Heidi?" she asked, before she could stop herself.
    He spun around, an orange box of herbal tea in one hand. "She's doing okay--is excited about the procedure."
    She nodded, and an icy cloud enveloped her like a frigid, damnable shroud. Her hands covered her face. Her eyes stung. "It shouldn't be like this, you know?" Her voice sounded muffled and broken.
    A pair of hands, warm and comforting, settled on her shoulders and drew her forward a couple of steps. Her body leaned into his, and the cold shell around her heart cracked. Her self-control shattered as well, as sobs hurled from her soul, filling the room with bitter sounds of her grief.
    He held her, ever so softly and gently, as though she was composed of the finest china. His kindness only heaped guilt on top of her misery. All he'd ever wanted to do was help Heidi. He'd never done anything self-serving. Yet she'd been so damn determined to prove something--what that was, she'd forgotten--she'd made almost every minute over the past three days completely wretched.
    Soon, the welcoming waves of calm washed away the turbulence, and she could trust herself to speak. "I'm sorry," she whispered into his chest. She couldn't look up, didn't want to