Nana stood up. “Can you eat any more?”
“No, but it was incredible. Thank you so much.”
It took Nana a while to clear the dishes. The only thing I could do to help was to set the little wooded table down between the mattress and the nightstand after she wiped it clean. It felt wrong having this older woman I barely knew wait on me, but I could barely help myself, let alone someone else.
“What else can I do for you?” Nana asked, scrutinizing me after everything was cleared away. “Do you need that bathroom, or can you wait until Raphael is back?”
“I’m good.” My heart sank at her question, though. “I know I need to try the crutches at some point; I just feel so weak right now.”
“Of course you do. It wasn’t just your leg that got injured. Your whole body’s been through a lot. But you’ll get stronger. And the physical therapy will help.”
Her look of understanding was so kind that it made me want to confide in her. “I just hate that people have to help me get to the bathroom. I mean, I don’t even know these men.”
“Oof, yeah, that doesn’t sound like fun. Maybe you could try using the crutches just to stand up? Oh, I know—I have a walker at my home from when I twisted my ankle a while back. Why don’t I get one of the boys to bring it over here? I bet that would make it easier to get to your feet.”
“Yeah, that would be great.” The thought gave me hope. If I could get up and down on my own more easily, then I wouldn’t mind help getting around the room until I mastered the crutches. “Thank you.”
“Anything, dear.” Her smile turned into a puzzled expression as she studied me. “Is there something else?”
Nana had to be at least fifty years older than me, but she was still female, and I suspected there were some things she’d understand better than Spencer or Raphael. “Do you think you could find a hairbrush for me? Or some makeup. I don’t know where my purse is, but there’s a lipstick and stuff in there. I hate being so unkempt.”
“Not a problem,” she said with a kind nod. “I think I saw your purse out in the living room, so I’ll get it for you. And Charlotte’s got a brush you can use.”
Nana was as good as her word. She brought me a wet cloth to wash my face, a brush, a mirror, and my purse. After I cleaned up a bit, I felt more like myself. And more ready to face the day, which would likely include a handsome man appearing before too much longer.
In a further attempt to feel more like a normal human, I used my phone to catch up on the news and answer some texts and emails. It was so nice to focus on something other than my condition for a change. But then I got something even better to distract me from my health concerns.
Raphael arrived, his dark hair a bit windswept. He had on a tight gray t-shirt that showcased the muscles in his arms. His shorts and running shoes were black. He looked fit and handsome and like a lot more fun than the news.
7
Raphael
Alyssa didn’t look injured when I got home. The blanket covered her cast, and yeah, she still had that wrap around her sprained wrist, but she looked great. Fresh-faced, with that smooth, dewy skin gleaming. Her blue eyes peered from behind dark lashes. Her hair gleamed, even in the low light of the room.
“Morning, cher.” I stepped past the bed to open the blinds. Alyssa closed her eyes and turned her face toward the sun. She looked like a stray cat that sometimes sunned itself on the deck.
Then her eyes opened, and she cocked her head to the side. “What’s sha?”
I grinned. “It’s the French word for dear. That’s how we pronounce it down here. You’ll get used to it.” I sat on the foot of the bed, being careful not to jar her leg. “How are you doing this morning?”
“Pretty well. That sausage you made tasted really good.”
“Did Nana make you an authentic Cajun scramble? I’m surprised it didn’t burn a hole in your mouth.”
“Nearly did, but it was great.”
I laughed. “Especially compared to hospital food, right?” She nodded. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re up. I’ve got a bunch of things for you, but I didn’t want to bring them in if you were sleeping.”
“What things?”
“All sorts. I’ll start with the nicest ones. Be right back.”
I returned a minute later with a flower arrangement in each arm.
“Are those from the hospital?”
I searched the room before deciding to put the flowers on the dresser. “No, these are all new.” I plucked the little cards from the arrangements and handed them to her. “But the ones from before are here, too, out in the living room. Someone from the hospital delivered them last night after you were asleep.”