“Here, Hunter. Help Caroline and hold the ice on her forehead,” his mom said.
Caroline’s eyes popped open just as he knelt in front of her and started to place the ice on her forehead by her temple. Their gazes locked and he couldn’t help but to absorb her plump lips or the fearful expression. He knew he was a big man. His height intimidated a lot of people of average height, but to someone as dainty and feminine as this little thing, he must appear giant like.
“I can do that,” she whispered, her cheeks red, probably embarrassed for falling like she did. He took in the sight of her and licked his lips as their fingers touched and she took the bag of ice from his hand.
“Are you sure, sugar?” he asked, and she gulped as she looked up into his eyes and nodded her head.
God, she’s gorgeous and definitely shy. When he stood up, he watched her eyes widen at his height.
“Don’t worry, Caroline, this is one of my sons, Hunter. Thank goodness he came by today. I told that other girl Liz that she stacked those boxes too high. What a mistake it had been hiring her,” Martha said and exhaled.
“Well, might I suggest moving those things to a more reasonable height, or else your new employee could break something else,” he teased as he looked at her cast. Caroline’s expression changed and she looked about ready to cry as her eyes filled with tears. He felt badly for making fun of her. It was a first for him. He spoke his mind and he never gave a shit about offending anyone or hurting their feelings.
But she quickly looked away.
“I’ll clean it up,” she whispered and then stood up. Martha covered her shoulder with her hand.
“You may need to see Doc Anders,” she told Caroline and Hunter watched Caroline’s body language change. She straightened out her shoulders, set the ice pack down on the counter, and brushed by the two of them.
“That won’t be necessary. I’m fine. Really, Martha. No doctor necessary,” she said and then headed back over to the ladder.
Hunter looked at her go and then at his mom. He could see the concerned expression and then heard his mom exhale.
“She’ll be okay. If she feels dizzy or has any other symptoms then just call over for the doctor. He’ll come here, you know that.”
His mom cleared her throat. “I’m sure it will be fine,” she said and he had a feeling something was bothering his mother, but then as she went behind the counter and took the bag of ice she planted on a smile.
“So, to what do I owe this surprise visit?” she asked.
He looked back at Caroline then to his mom.
“Who is she? Where did she come from?” he asked and his mom looked shocked as she raised one of her eyebrows up at him. He knew his tone was commanding and bossy. He couldn’t help it. He answered to no one anymore. Only to himself.
“She’s Shelby’s sister. That’s all I know. Let me get rid of this ice,” his mom said and then the phone began to ring.
“Darn it. I need to answer this. It may be the dads calling about the plumber,” she said and then she looked toward Caroline.
“Caroline, could you show Hunter those shirts that just came in that you arranged this morning, please? I need to take the call,” she said and then answered the phone and walked into the back room.
Hunter looked at Caroline, who shyly placed her hair behind one ear.
He had a bunch of questions popping into his head about the woman, but he shook those thoughts away as he headed toward her.
“They’re over here,” she whispered and he followed her. His eyes glued to her ass as he realized she had one hell of a body.
“There are some on this rack over here and then a bunch more on this shelf here. Do you need help finding a size?” she asked, looking him over.
“Maybe,” he said, staring at her. She sure was pretty. Holy shit, he was acting like some horny teenager. Meanwhile he had to be a good ten years older than this woman.
She looked at him.
“You don’t know what size you are in a shirt?” she challenged.
“Didn’t say that,” he replied.
She raised one of her eyebrows up at him in challenge, and he couldn’t help but feel lighthearted. It surprised him. No woman ever made him bite his tongue or to feel on pins and needle for the right things to say. He was hardcore, but this little angel, she did something to him.
“I could use the help. Maybe pay me back for saving you from further broken bones,” he teased as he started thumbing through the shirt rack. He could hardly concentrate on the colors and patterns. His mind was solely on Caroline and her response to him.
“I appreciate you catching me. It could have been worse.”