Page 37 of Healing Hope

“Of course,” she replied quickly, surprised that he wanted to go.

“We can take my truck if you’d prefer,” he said, but she shook her head.

“No, but thank you. Her seat is already in the Jeep. I’m ready when you are.”

They trooped out to the car and Paul didn’t seem to mind getting in the passenger seat. That was one thing that really impressed her about him. Obviously, he was a strong, imposing man, but he didn’t feel the need to flaunt how masculine he was. She’d been with men before that flat out refused to allow a woman to drive them.

They hadn’t lasted long, she thought with an internal snort.

Jess strapped Hope into her booster seat and put Sophie onto her lap. “Hold onto her tight and I’ll put the roof back.”

Hope nodded eagerly, so Jess moved around, unlatching and un-Velcroing the top to fold it back. Then she climbed in, grinning. She retrieved a blue scrunchy from the gearshift and pulled her hair back into a ponytail.

“I love California weather, exactly for this reason.”

She backed out of the drive and took off down the road. As the wind swirled their hair, Hope giggled. Even Paul had a wide smile on his face as he braced his prosthetic on the window ledge. He’d retrieved wraparound sunglasses from the truck, and he looked intimidating as hell, not to mention sexy.

Jess jerked her eyes back to the road, but it was hard. Kissing Paul was unlike anything she’d ever done before, and she didn’t exactly understand why. Actually, it was like basking in the California sun; warm and luscious, and not necessarily good for you. But you couldn’t help yourself.

She grinned at him as they headed down the road. The air was blowing his hair, mussing the tightly shorn curls. They were growing out, and she was curious what he looked like with longer hair.

Two more weeks is what you would get to see. Assuming he didn’t get it cut before then.

Dr. Butcher seemed put out that she’d brought Paul with her, but he worked through it. “Sophie is fine. I think we can take the splint off. As long as she doesn’t strain it again, let her go at her own pace. No serious running, though. Keep her on a leash in the yard.”

“She doesn’t like the leash,” Hope protested, blinking her big blue eyes up at the vet.

“Well, it’s either use the leash or she’ll be limping again,” he told her.

Jess could see that Hope didn’t like that development, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

“Thank you, doctor. We’ll make sure she isn’t running around for a while. About how long, do you think?”

The vet made a face. “I’d leash her for about a week. Then light exercise. And if she’s okay with that, you can build from there.”

Paul nodded and looked at Hope. “It’s what’s best for her.”

Paul paid the bill and they headed for the Jeep.

“I vote for ice cream on the beach,” Jess said, as she strapped Hope into the car.

“Yes! Please? It’s my birthday week!”

Jess laughed. Maybe she shouldn’t have started that. She glanced at Paul. A wry smile tipped the corner of his lips up. “I think ice cream sounds fantastic, actually.”

So, they drove to the coast. There was a fantastic little ice cream place Jess tried to frequent whenever she was on this side of the city. It was literally on the beach, with picnic tables in the sand. It was accessible to the road, as well, and was always packed this time of year. Today was no exception.

“Okay, I know there’s a line, but you have to try this stuff. It’s a local creamery that comes up with these fantastic pairings. Like, chocolate and stout, and blueberry with lime cheesecake. And birthday cake with sprinkles and marshmallows!”

Hope bounced in her seat and Sophie barked with excitement. Half an hour later they were licking cones on the beach, and it was just as good as she’d remembered.

“My grandmother brought me here,” she said, tucking her blowing hair behind her ear. “She lives up toward Torrey Pines, and she would bring me down here a lot to the tide pools. One of my favorite things to do as a kid.”

“That’s really cool, Ms. Jess.”

She smiled at Hope, licking her Kona coffee vanilla swirl. Paul had opted to try the stout and chocolate, and Hope the birthday cake, of course. Hope fed Sophie little bites of the ice cream from a tiny sample spoon.

When she looked up, Paul was watching her eat the cone. He’d pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head, and he looked cute. “What?” she grinned.