Page 43 of Lulu

Brody barked out a laugh but then clutched his side with a grimace. “Fuck,” he hissed. “Still hurts like hell.”

“It will for a while,” Harlow explained, before directing her next comment to me. “I switched his pain meds so he won’t sleep as much.” She stood up.

“You’ll build up your strength faster by moving more.”

I started when Doc suddenly appeared behind me. I hadn’t heard him come in. He moved me aside gently and walked to the bed, the entire time his eyes riveted on Harlow and hers on his. It wasn’t the first time I’d noticed the looks between them--the silent longing, and then the regret. The third day Brody had been laid up Doc had come to check on him, and I’d noticed then that they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other, but they’d kept their interaction cool and professional.

So many questions popped into my head, but I knew that Doc wouldn’t tolerate me snooping. With the wedding ring on Harlow’s finger, I doubted he’d have crossed that line, except for maybe in his mind.

“He’s healing nicely,” Harlow said softly. “I just changed his bandages.”

Doc nodded and looked down at Brody. “Looks like she got you out of bed today.”

“Needed a shower, and I was damned tired of pissing in that plastic jug,” Brody snapped, giving Harlow a wink.

I fought down the unexpected jealousy I felt at the smile they exchanged. The low sound coming from Doc revealed that he liked it even less than I did. Interesting.

“What are you doing back so soon, Doc? You were just here yesterday.”

I hid my grin, sure that Doc didn’t appreciate Brody pointing out the obvious and what it suggested. I made the mistake of looking at Harlow, and was almost floored by the love I saw softening her beautiful face. It disappeared so fast I thought I must have imagined it.

“Just happened to be coming this way,” Doc explained. “And I forgot to drop off these pills yesterday. To be safe you take these antibiotics until they’re gone.”

“Thanks for saving my life, Doc. I owe you.”

“Any time, brother.”

Doc gave both me and Harlow a glance. I got the hint. He wanted to talk to Brody alone.

“Harlow, you’re off the clock now. Let’s share a glass of wine before we eat.” Before work that morning, I’d put a pot roast and vegetables in the crock pot, and had invited her to stay for dinner.

She took the hint and followed me out of the room. I liked Harlow, we’d connected instantly, and I hoped that we would remain friends now that she was no longer needed to help out with Brody. I led her to the kitchen, going directly to the cupboard for the wine and the glasses, while she made herself comfortable on one of the bar stools at the island. I took everything over to her and poured us each a generous serving of Cabernet.

“Want to take our drinks out back and enjoy the sunset?”

“Sure,” she smiled, getting up from her stool. “I can’t remember the last time I sat back and watched the sun set.”

I noticed her cast a glance toward the bedroom door as if she were expecting to see Doc come through it. Turning my back to her, I hid my smile and headed toward the back door. “Too busy?” As soon as I opened the door Buttercup appeared at our feet. She dashed through the opened doorway before I could stop her, but I didn’t worry. She never went too far.

“No. Most of the time I just don’t think about it. I have a small patio at my condo, but it’s not set up as nice as yours.”

We exchanged smiles as I sank down into the hammock chair next to the grill.

“Oh, my God, an egg chair! I’ve always wanted to try one of these!” she exclaimed.

I’d purchased two that came with frames so I could move them around if I needed to. I also had a small wicker sofa with a glass top table situated in front of it. Surrounded by desert, I kept everything covered until I wanted to use it.

“It’s really comfortable,” Harlow said, taking a sip of her wine.

I nodded. “So, Doc said that you worked at his clinic?”

She laughed. “I was waiting for you to start asking questions. We’re not exactly subtle in how we look at each other. Unfortunately…” She held up her ring finger.

That didn’t mean anything. “Happily married?”

Her hesitation was telling. “Of course.”

Then why didn’t her expression back it up? And why all of a sudden would she not look me in the eye? I watched her take several sips of her drink while she was focused on what Buttercup was doing. There was an aura surrounding Harlow, one of such sadness that it was palpable. She wasn’t happy in her marriage.