Finding the Way (A sweet romance) by Emma Rider Page A

been there. Her heart hammered in her chest as she
asked, "How long have I been in here?"
    The nurse smiled. "About three weeks but
you're healing up nicely and will be able to go home soon." She
studied Beth. "I can tell you're in pain. On a scale of one to ten,
what do you rate your pain?"
    "Seven, now that the sunlight's gone."
    Joy nodded, pressing her lips together.
"I'll be back to get you some pain medicine. Right now rest, you're
in great hands."
    Beth slumped down on the bed and took
inventory of all her limbs. She wiggled each, noting all of them
were still attached and functional. The only telltale sign she'd
been in an accident was her head and the bruises she could see. Her
body wasn't too sore. It was more like she worked out hard at the
gym but could move around still.
    She felt the gauze on her head wincing as
her finger nimbly pressed. A square bandage was tucked into a
corner of her forehead held up by gauze that was wrapped around
like a headband.
    She placed her hands on her cheek, wondering
what her face looked like. A sweep around the room showed her
several bouquets of assorted flowers all filling the space with a
sweet aroma.
    Latin words popped into her head as she
peered at the flowers. Dianthus caryophyllus for carnation. Lilium for lily. She smiled, she recalled she had studied
floriculture in college.
    She eased down onto the bed again; her body
faced the door the nurse conveniently left open. The light from the
hallway wasn't so bad. Hospital staff in scrubs busily passed by.
There were so many colors. Sky blue, lime green, and people with
white coats. They all blended into the medical platform until a
tall man in worn jeans and a well fitted wool coat caught her eye.
Then he was gone. She blinked, willing him to pass her doorway
again.
    A few minutes later he did, walking slowly,
studying the document in his hand before coming to a halt across
the hall to a building map that was set on the wall. She caught
more characteristics of his side profile. Unruly dark hair that was
in need of a cut fell just above his eyes, a straight nose slashed
down his face, and shadows cast about his profile told her he had a
slightly square jaw. The coat emphasized broad shoulders and lean
waist, tagging him as athletic. He was tall, dark and handsome and
Beth forgot about her headache enough to want to lick him.
    After a few moments he left, but her breath
caught again as he passed once more, this time stopping at her
door. He studied her doorframe and the paper before he peered in
the room at her, his dark eyes seeming to catch hers in the
darkness. She held her breath, daring not to move a single
muscle.
    Then he turned around as someone tapped his
shoulder. She exhaled. He must've been lost; someone would set him
to rights. She didn't turn away as a sliver of him appeared in the
doorway again. Her ears strained to hear what he was talking about
but he spoke softly.
    She sat back, wondering who he was.
Entertaining the idea that he was a GQ model sent to cheer her up. Thank you Santa Claus! She frowned. It was summer.
    Her thoughts turned realistic. Was he here
to visit his sick kid or wife? God, she glanced around,
disappointment settling over her as she noticed the lone chair was
empty with no signs of life—except for the flowers. No one had
visited her in a while. Her parents had passed away while she was
in college. They were all she had. She wasn't really close to
anyone because she was invested in getting the shop— hold on a
second, shop? She concentrated, but pain beat down her
memories.
    The GQ model shifted back to her, catching
her eye again. Butterfly wings fluttered rapidly in her stomach,
partially blocking her headache. He left the doorway and she wanted
to call out to him, but what the hell was she going to call him?
"Hey hot stuff" wasn't going to cut it. "Hey GQ model" might work,
but would embarrass her.
    As if her mental summoning worked, he
appeared in her room and she was blown away by