A Very Special Delivery by Linda Goodnight

the planet, a woman who suffered from anxiety attacks, was brave?
    He didn’t know her at all.
    As the liquid fire of the deadening agent entered Molly’s
already insulted flesh, Ethan took her hand. “Squeeze if you need to. This
stings a little.”
    She hissed though her teeth, trying hard not to give in to the
pain. He’d called her brave. And even though she knew it wasn’t true, she didn’t
want Ethan to know.
    “The worst will be over in a minute,” Ethan encouraged. “And
afterwards, we’ll see if the van can ice skate over to the Rib Crib for dinner.
What do you say?”
    She concentrated on his words in an effort to blot out the
burning anesthetic. “What about Laney’s formula?”
    “We’ll stop by the store first, grab some supplies.” He frowned
as if in deep thought. “On second thought, let’s grab some steaks and take them
over to my place. I’ll make us dinner.”
    “I don’t know,” she hedged. Saying goodbye was already going to
be harder than she wanted it to be.
    “What?” He asked in mock offense, eyes crinkling in humor. “You
don’t think I can grill steaks? Why, I’ll have you know, Miss Molly McCreight,
people come from miles around, from other states, even from outer space to
sample my steaks.”
    She laughed. “Are you trying to feed me or distract me?”
    “Both. Is it working?”
    “Yeah,” she said. “And you’re really sweet for making the
effort.”
    He winked down at her, the long scar wrinkling with the
movement. “That’s me. A sweet guy.”
    And she realized it was true. Ethan Hunter was a very nice man,
kind and brave and thoughtful. He was everything a girl could want.
    * * *
    Nearly an hour later, Ethan carefully pulled the van out
of the hospital parking lot. Laney kicked and cooed from her carrier in back,
and Molly’s cat mewed impatiently from his cage on the floorboard.
    Though Ethan was tired to the bone, the idea of an impromptu
steak dinner with Molly energized him. He didn’t know why. They’d had every meal
together for days, but for some reason, he wanted to be the host, to spend time
with her on his turf.
    “So,” he asked, careful to keep his attention on the slick
streets. “You still up for my fabulous cooking?”
    “Ethan,” she started and then paused to stare out the
windshield. Pale, her mouth drooped in exhaustion.
    With a sinking feeling Ethan realized he was about to be turned
down. To spare them both, he said, “You’re worn out. You need to rest.”
    She touched his sleeve. “Thanks for understanding.”
    “No problem.” But he realized her refusal was a problem. He
didn’t want to leave her with someone else. Who would look after that wound? Who
would make sure she didn’t get an infection? “Maybe another time.”
    She didn’t answer and his stomach sank deeper. He liked her.
Thought she liked him. Had he been wrong about that?
    “Doc Jamison did a nice job on that cut.” To everyone’s relief,
no permanent damage appeared to be done and, if all went well, the cut would
heal in a week or two.
    “He’s a good doctor.”
    “A good man, too. He teaches the singles’ class at church.”
    “Yeah, I know,” she said in a funny, faraway voice.
    “You do?”
    “I used to attend that class.”
    “No kidding? I’ve never seen you there. Why did you stop
going?”
    She shrugged and he could tell the story, whatever it was,
bothered her. “My family attends the Chapel.”
    Now he was more curious than ever. She wouldn’t let him contact
her family, and she didn’t attend church because they were there. “What’s wrong
with that?”
    “Nothing. I’m glad they go, but my sister and I have some—” she
gnawed at her lip, expression stark as she searched for the right word
“—unresolved issues. So it’s better if I stay away.”
    He didn’t like the sound of that. If not for his parents, he’d
have gone nuts during the last year and a half. And though he’d messed up
Laney’s opportunity to have a