A Knight for Nurse Hart by Laura Iding Page B

from her emotionally draining shift.
    But once again Caleb followed her outside. She tried to think of something to say to make him go away. But her mind was blank. And one glimpse at the stubborn set of his features told her he wasn’t going to let her go easily.
    â€œYou shouldn’t drive when you’re this upset.” He took her arm, steering her towards where his car was parked.
    For a moment she tensed beneath his touch, wanting to pull away, but then her shoulders slumped with exhaustion. She simply didn’t have the energy to fight. Going along with him was easier than arguing. He opened the passenger door of his car and gestured for her to get inside.
    She did, without uttering a single protest.
    He slid behind the wheel, glancing at her, but not saying anything. The silence should have been oppressive but, oddly enough, she took comfort in hispresence. Maybe because taking care of Helen had brought her suppressed fears to the surface.
    He pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards his house, without bothering to ask if she was okay with his decision.
    She didn’t protest. She was secretly glad he hadn’t taken her back to her apartment. Her imagination tended to work overtime there.
    â€œHow’s your father doing?” she asked when he pulled into the driveway.
    He glanced at her. “Better. Still in pain, but overall much better.”
    â€œI’m glad,” she murmured.
    After parking the car, he headed up to his house and unlocked the door. She followed him inside, smiling a bit when Grizzly greeted her enthusiastically.
    For a moment she buried her face against his silky fur, hanging onto her self-control by a thin thread. She’d been in Caleb’s house often while they’d dated. After her emotionally draining shift, the welcome familiarity of Caleb’s house soothed her soul.
    She’d missed him. Desperately. They’d shared some very good times, before she’d realized the extent of his inability to trust. And then it was too late. She’d made a terrible mistake.
    â€œGrizz likes you,” Caleb said, watching her pet the dog as he made a pot of coffee. “He’s not that excited when I come home, more like disappointed that I’m not my father.”
    She didn’t know how to respond, worried she’d burst into tears if she tried. Back when things had started toget more intense between them, she’d wondered what it might be like to share Caleb’s home with him. She glanced around, liking the way Caleb’s kitchen overlooked the living area, the cathedral ceiling providing a spacious feel. She took a seat on the butter-soft deep blue leather sofa. Grizzly followed her, sitting on his haunches in front of her and placing his big head on her lap. His soulful eyes stared up at her adoringly, wordlessly begging for attention. She pressed her face to the silky fur on the top of his head.
    The sharp stab of regret pierced deep.
    Caleb brought in two mugs of steaming coffee. She could smell the enticing scent of the vanilla creamer she loved. With a guilty start, she realized he must have bought it with her in mind, anticipating a night in the not-too-distant future when she might stay over.
    And if things had been different, they might have spent the night together. More than once.
    Her stomach churned. The nausea surged up with full force. Desperately, she swallowed hard.
    There was no point in wishing for something she couldn’t have. Caleb hadn’t really trusted her before, there was no way that would change now.
    And, really, she couldn’t blame him.
    He settled into the easy chair across from her, as if he didn’t dare risk getting too close. She wrapped her hands around the coffee mug, seeking warmth despite the humid summer evening, wondering why he’d brought her here.
    His gaze bored into hers. “Raine, I’m sure you’d feel better if you talked about it.”
    The hot coffee