Page 16 of Always and Forever
Shortly, a nurse comes into the waiting area and calls my name. Ethan looks at me questioningly, and I nod. He stands and helps me into the room. Truthfully, my leg isn’t actually hurting that badly anymore, but I’m enjoying his attention too much to admit that I don’t need his help.
The nurse gets us settled and a few minutes later the door opens and an older woman wearing a white lab coat comes in.
“Hello there, I’m Doctor Wilson. You must be Summer?” She looks at me kindly, then turns a puzzled frown on Ethan. “Mayor Monroe, is there a reason you’re in here with Miss Harris instead of waiting outside for her?”
Ethan looks to me, and uncertainty is written across his face.
“I don’t mind if he stays,” I reply, smiling reassuringly at the doctor. Something changed out at the resort when he took care of my leg. I want him here.
“I cleaned the wound with alcohol wipes, but it was a rusty nail that cut her, so I think she’ll need a tetanus booster. I don’t think she needs stitches, though,” Ethan says, fixing the doctor with an intense stare. I want to tell him to relax and let Doctor Wilson do her job, but I don’t think he’d appreciate it.
Doctor Wilson makes a noncommittal sound and looks up and over her glasses at Ethan. “I think I’ll make my own decisions on a treatment plan, Mayor Monroe, but thank you for your input.”
I have to fight to suppress my giggle at the blush that covers Ethan’s face from being put in his place like that. But then Doctor Wilson unwraps the bandage, and I wince when I see it again. He reaches his hand out to me and I grab it, holding tightly.
“No stitches necessary, it’s a good thing that it’s a jagged cut, as that will heal cleaner than a straight one. But we should do a tetanus booster if it’s been more than ten years since you had one.” Doctor Wilson casts a sly glance over at Ethan. “It would seem Mayor Monroe does, in fact, know the treatment plan you require.”
I do laugh at that and the doctor smiles at me in return. Ethan’s hand relaxes its grip on mine, and I feel warm inside knowing he was worried. After I’ve received my shot and a clean bandage, as well as instructions on recognizing signs of infection, Ethan and I are able to leave the clinic.
“Can you drive me back to the resort so I can get my truck?” I ask as we walk down the steps of the clinic. Ethan looks at me in horror.
“You’re not driving, Summer. You need to go home and rest your leg. I’ll go with Mila to get your truck later.”
“Ethan, I’m fine,” I protest.
“No way. I’m driving you home and getting you settled. No arguing, shorty.”
With me grumbling the whole way, Ethan drives me home and helps me up the stairs to my apartment. Only once I’m settled on the couch with my leg elevated and a glass of water next to me does he stop hovering. He leans down and for a second I think he’s going to kiss me, but then his lips brush the top of my head softly and that’s all. He walks to my door and pauses.
“There’s a farm market every Tuesday afternoon up in Westport. Do you want to come with me this week?” His tone and his pose are casual, but my heart speeds up all the same. Is he asking me out on a date?
“I’d like that.”
“Maybe I’ll get you a lollipop. You know, since you didn’t get one at Doc’s.”
I toss a pillow at him, but Ethan just chuckles and dodges it as he closes my front door.
8
Ethan
When I pick up Summer to take her to the farm market, I realize the error in my decision. Now I have to drive the half hour to the neighbouring town of Westport trying not to let my body betray my reaction to her, and trying even harder not to let my hand fall to touch her shoulder from where it rests on the back of the seat behind her. She looks like her name, a soft summer morning, in a pale-yellow sweater that hangs off one shoulder and cropped jeans. It’s sunny today, which explains the sandals on her feet. She smells amazing, that fresh and floral aroma I am beginning to associate with her filling my nostrils. I want to touch her, to feel that sweater and see if it’s as soft as I imagine it is. I want to feel the silk of her skin. I want to kiss the spot on her neck where her sweater drapes down and see if she shivers under my lips.
Let’s just say that drive has never been so…hard.
“Ethan, this is incredible,” Summer says when we finally make it to the market. Rows of vendors with seasonal produce, baked goods, handmade items, and plants surround us. Music comes from a busker down the way and kids are running around with balloons and bags of popcorn. Summer twirls around, making me grin at her excitement. It’s so easy to be with her, to let her joy fill me with my own sense of happiness. I grab her hand, and it feels natural when she threads our fingers together.
“It’s not quite the best growing season for produce, but we should be able to find some good stuff,” I tell her.
“That’s okay, half the fun of markets is the surprise at what you find. It’s different every time.”
Slowly we meander up one side of the market, taking in all of the vendors that are selling everything from pottery to homemade soaps and lotions. One has artisanal oils and vinegar, and another with craft kombucha. Summer pulls me to a stop, and greets the person standing behind the table lined with bottles of the drink. She chooses two for us to sample and hands me one.
“You’ve got to try some ‘booch,” Summer says excitedly as I examine the pink liquid.
“Really? Fermented tea?”
“It’s so good for you.” She pats my stomach, then freezes, leaving her hand in place. “Good for your gut. Not that you have one, Mr. Lumberjack with a six-pack. I mean your inside gut. You know. Oh my God, I’ll stop now.” She drops her head down on my chest, which is shaking with my laughter.
