Breaking Bailey's Rules(18)

“So how is our patient, Doctor?” she asked the tall, muscular man who reminded her of a lumberjack more than a doctor.

“Walker’s fine. The stiches are out and he should be able to maneuver the stairs in a day or so. I’m encouraging him to do so in order to work the stiffness out of his legs.”

Bailey nodded as she sat her coffee mug on a side table. “So he’s ready to start handling things on his own now?”

“Pretty much, but I still don’t want him to overdo it. As you know, Walker has a hard head. I’m glad you’re here to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself.”

Bailey nibbled her bottom lip before saying, “But I can’t stay here forever. I have a job back in Denver. Do you have any idea when it will be okay for me to leave?”

“If you have pressing business to attend to back home then you should go now. I’m sure Lola won’t mind moving in for a few days until Walker’s fully recovered.”

Dr. Witherspoon was giving her an out, so why wasn’t she taking it? Why was she making herself believe she was needed here?

“Just let me know when you plan to leave so I’ll know what to do,” the doctor added. “I’m sure you know Walker would prefer to be by himself after you leave, but that’s not wise. Personally, I think he needs you.”

The doctor didn’t know just how wrong he was. Sure, Walker liked kissing her, but that didn’t mean he needed her. “I doubt that very seriously. He’ll probably be glad to have me gone.”

“Um, I don’t think so. I’ve known Walker all his life. I delivered him into the world and looked forward to delivering his son, but his wife wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted their son born in California. She wasn’t too fond of this place.”

Dr. Witherspoon paused, and a strange look appeared on his face, as if he’d said too much. “Anyway, if you decide to leave before the end of the week, let me know so I can notify Lola.”

“I will.”

Before reaching the door, the doctor turned. “Oh, yes, I almost forgot. Walker wants to see you.”

Bailey lifted a brow. “He does?”

“Yes.” The doctor then opened the door and left.

Bailey wondered why Walker would ask to see her. He’d seen her earlier when she’d taken him breakfast. She hadn’t been able to decipher his mood, mainly because she hadn’t hung around long enough. She’d placed the tray on the table and left. But she had seen that he’d opened the curtains and was sitting in what was evidently his favorite chair.

After taking a deep breath, she moved toward the stairs. She might as well go see what Walker wanted. All things considered, he might be summoning her to ask her to leave.



“Dr. Witherspoon said you wanted to see me.”

Walker turned around at the sound of Bailey’s voice. She stood in the doorway as if ready to sprint away at a moment’s notice. Had his mood been as bad as Doc Witherspoon claimed? If so, she had put up with it when any other woman would not have. “Come in, Bailey, I won’t bite.”

He wouldn’t bite, but he wouldn’t mind tasting her mouth again.

She hesitated before entering, looking all around his bedroom before looking back at him. That gave him just enough time to check her out, to appreciate how she looked in her sweats, sweater and jacket. She wore her hair pinned back from her face, which showed off her beautiful bone structure. Although he hadn’t stuck around to meet her sister Gemma, he had met Megan. There was a slight resemblance between the two but he thought Bailey had a look all her own. Both were beautiful women but there was a radiance about Bailey that gave him pause whenever he saw her.

“Okay, I’m in,” she said, coming to stand in front of him. However, he noted she wasn’t all in his face like last time. She was keeping what she figured was a safe distance.

“You’re standing up,” she observed.

“Is there a reason for me not to be?”

She shrugged. “No. But normally you’re sitting down in that chair over there.”

He followed her gaze to the chair. “Yes. That chair has special meaning for me.”

“It does? Why?”

“It once belonged to my mother. I’m told she used to sit in it and rock me to sleep. I don’t recall that, but I do remember coming in here at night and sitting right there on the floor while she sat in that chair and read me a story.”

“I heard you tell Dillon you’re an only child. Your parents didn’t want any more children?”

“They wanted plenty, which is why they built such a huge house. But Mom had difficulties with my birth and Doc Witherspoon advised her not to try again.”

“Oh.”

A moment of silence settled between them before Bailey said, “You didn’t say why you wanted to see me.”

No, he hadn’t. He stared at her, wishing he wasn’t so fascinated with her mouth. “I need to apologize. I haven’t been the nicest person the past several days.” No need to tell her Doc Witherspoon hadn’t spared any punches in telling Walker just what an ass he’d been.

“No, you haven’t. You have been somewhat of a grouch, but I’ve dealt with worse. I have five brothers and a slew of male cousins. I’ve discovered men can be more difficult than sick babies when they are in pain.”

“Regardless, that was no reason to take out my mood on you and I apologize.”

She shrugged. “Apology acc—” As if remembering another time those words had set off a kiss between them, she quickly modified her words. “Thank you for apologizing.” She turned to leave.

“Wait!”

Bailey turned back around. “Yes?”

“Lunch.”

She raised a brow. “What about it?”

“I thought we could eat lunch together.”



Bailey eyed Walker speculatively before asking, “Why would you want us to eat lunch together?”

He countered with a question of his own. “Any reason we can’t? Although I appreciate you being here, helping out and everything, you’re still a guest in my home. Besides, I’m doing better and Doc suggested I try the stairs. I figured we could sit and eat in the kitchen. Frankly, I’m tired of looking at these four walls.”

She could see why he would be. “Okay, I’ll serve you lunch in the kitchen.”

“And you will join me?”

Bailey nibbled her lips. How could she explain that just breathing the same air as him was playing havoc on her nervous system?

Even now, just standing this close to him was messing with her mind. Making her remember things she shouldn’t. Like what had happened the last time she’d stayed this long in this bedroom. And he wanted them to share lunch? What would they talk about? One thing was for certain—she would let him lead the conversation. She would not give him any reason to think she was interviewing him undercover. He’d already accused her of having underhanded motives.

When she’d walked into this room, she hadn’t counted on him standing in the middle of it. She’d been fully aware of his presence the moment she’d opened the door. He was dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans and a flannel shirt that showed what an impressive body he had. If he’d lost any weight she couldn’t tell. He still had a solid chest, broad shoulders and taut thighs. She’d been too taken with all that masculine power to do anything but stand and stare.

Without the beard his jaw looked stronger and his mouth—which should be outlawed—was way too sexy to be real.

Bailey couldn’t stop herself from wondering why he wanted to share lunch with her. But then, she didn’t want to spend time analyzing his reason. So she convinced herself it was because she would be leaving soon, returning to Denver. Then there would be no reason for their paths to cross again. If things worked out between the Westmorelands and the Outlaws, she could see Walker hanging out with her brothers and cousins every now and then, but she doubted she would be invited to attend any of those gatherings.

Knowing he was waiting for an answer, she said, “Yes, I’ll share lunch with you.”





Ten

“So, Bailey, who taught you how to shoot?”

She bit into her sandwich and held up her finger to let him know it would be a minute before she could answer because she had food in her mouth. Walker didn’t mind watching her anyway.

“The question you should probably ask is who didn’t teach me to shoot. My brothers and cousins were quick to give me lessons, especially Bane. He’s so good that he’s a master sniper with the navy SEALs. Bane taught me how to hit a target. I don’t want to sound as if I’m bragging, but I’m an excellent shot because of him.”

“You’re not bragging, just stating a fact. I’m living proof, and note I said living proof. There’s no doubt in my mind that grizzly would have done me in if you hadn’t taken it down.”

“Well, I’m glad I was there.”

He was glad she’d been there, too. At the sight of a huge grizzly any other woman would have gone into shock. But not Bailey. She had showed true grit by bringing down that bear. She’d made that shot from a distance he doubted even he could have made. His three men had admitted they could not have made it without running the risk of shooting him.