Or at least she better be.
The growl rumbling in his throat earned him a patient look from Gillian and a frown from Colby.
“Hey, Doc,” Colby said, still eyeing him. “Brett needs you to check the stick up his ass before we leave.” He’d won the coin toss much to her chagrin.
“If only I could.” The healer laughed as she removed the blood pressure cuff. “But I think you’re doing a wonderful job all by yourself.”
Colby’s snort echoed his own. The glint of humor in her eyes earned another smile from him. “I take it she is all right?”
“She is fine.” Gillian sent another amused look in his direction. He’d get hell from her later. The little submissive had interpreted his interest as romantic, and seemed to be encouraging him on all fronts. While he appreciated the depth of her caring, he had enough interference from his parents—both categorically on Colby’s side. Not to mention Luc’s continued interest, and he’d as yet not determined if it was a mating or not. To prove it, he needed them in the same room.
And I’m not quite ready for her to see him yet… Luc’s return to the pack was a definite cause for celebration. If he brought a mate home, as Babette and Gil seemed to believe, more parties would follow. His wolf bared his teeth in defiance.
“You did a wonderful job of saving her life,” Gillian added a wink to the last then glanced at Colby. “Drink, take it easy on the harder foods, go for small bites. You have some inflammation from where the food lodged, but I doubt it will last long.” Which told Brett Gillian had healed the worst of it, if there had been a worst to it.
“Thanks,” she said. “I suppose I should go back to the party then, if you can’t do anything about Brett’s issue.”
“Your fascination with my ass is very flattering.” The words sounded far more sexual than he intended, but the sudden smile on Colby’s face was worth it. “And you don’t have to go back to the party if you don’t want to…” Despite the invitation serving to bring the pack to meet her, it had also been part of bringing them all together again.
“Actually, I don’t mind the idea of the party, it was just a lot of people and I had no idea you were throwing one.” The reprimand, even if she didn’t intend it to be one, was well deserved.
“Sometimes we get together rather spontaneously, and Luc’s return was as good a reason as any, especially as he’s decided to move home permanently again.” Why the fuck had he told her that? Across the room, Gillian studiously didn’t look at him. Her lack of attention was as audible as a demanding stare.
“That’s wonderful for him and for you. Oh, wait—he’s here isn’t he?” She glanced around the living room with its cluttered shelves and old television set. Hatcher hadn’t been a fan of modern living. The old man would have enjoyed Colby. “Do you mind if I say hello?”
“Um,” Gillian pivoted. Most wolves learned from the get go to avoid lies. What was the point when everyone around them could smell the deception anyway? “Not sure it’s a good idea…”
“Is he still unconscious?” Worry filled her tone. “That’s not a good sign. I thought you’d seen improvement.” She turned her reproach-filled eyes in his direction.
“He’s not unconscious,” Brett promised. “I spoke to him earlier. He’s just exhausted and…he keeps pushing himself.” Ratting himself out to Gillian was better than seeing the disappointment in Colby’s expression. “He tried to get out of bed earlier.”
“Oh, for the love of…” Gillian began.
“…stubborn idiot patients.” The scowl she wore mirrored Gillian’s so perfectly he was hard pressed not to laugh. “He’s a horrible patient.”
“So I’ve learned. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see what damage has been done.”
Colby waited only a beat before following right after Gillian. Biting back an oath, Brett strode after her. Why did his whole pack silence when he scowled, but one recalcitrant human blithely did what she wanted anyway?
Downstairs, Gillian already had the door open revealing the very much cast free Luc in his makeshift hospital bed. The healer didn’t slow until she reached his side.
“Hey, sunshine,” Luc began.
“Don’t even start with me. What did you do?” Professional and firm, Gillian the healer ruled when it came to treating the ill and the injured. Having been faced with the very determined healer on at least two previous occasions. Arguing with her proved pointless.