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“Bring it on, Cassie Michaels.”
Doc shook Peter’s hand. “Looking forward to having you on board. Your cut should be healed sufficiently by then.”
Peter was smiling, probably at her obvious distress over being put in charge of him. Damn her transparent face.
“Wouldn’t miss my first day at work for the world, Dr. Bailey. I drove a long way to get here.”
“Call me Doc. Welcome to Montauk.”
After John disappeared out the door, Cassie pointed to the wheelchair. “Sit. I’m sure you’d like to get settled.”
Satchel in hand, Peter climbed into the chair with a suddenly cheerful attitude. “Okay, boss. Take me anywhere you want to go.”
She pushed him from the room and tried with every ounce of control to keep the visual of taking him to bed out of her mind.
CHAPTER TWO
SEATED IN THE passenger seat of Cassie’s Jeep Wrangler, Peter checked his face in the visor mirror. His left eye was swollen and bruised magenta. It would blacken in a few days. The sutures pinched a bit over the cut, which now throbbed with a dull ache.
“Looking like this, it’s a good thing I’m not coming in until next week. I’d scare patients.”
She glanced his way. “Does it hurt?”
Mostly his pride for having had the accident. This wasn’t exactly the way he wanted to present himself to his coworkers. He slid on his Ray-Ban sunglasses against the glaring sun, careful of the bandage on his brow. “No. I’m fine.”
“Why don’t you use that ice pack a little longer?”
“Because I want to see where you’re going.”
“Can’t you see with one eye?”
He laughed. Cute, but pushy. “I can use a break from the ice.”
She shook her head. “Why do doctors and nurses make the worst patients?”
Peter chuckled. “Because we know too much.”
The hospital was tucked in a cul-de-sac off the main road. A copse of newly greened woods spread from behind the building into the low hills. He was quickly learning that untouched woods were the norm in Montauk. Peter rolled down his window to breathe in the cool, crisp, sun-drenched air. Driving down Montauk Highway, which reduced to a two-way street, yielded exactly what he expected. Small town. Tourist and boutique shops, real estate offices along the sidewalks dotted with bistros and ice cream stands, old beach houses turned into trendy restaurants, local pubs with lobster traps hanging from their outside walls and antique anchors by the steps. He loved Montauk. Already.
Best thing about it was the woman driving him to his new digs. The comfort he felt so quickly in her company was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He’d spent so many years keeping people at arm’s length because of his mom’s issues and the situation at home. Only a handful of friends had ever crossed the threshold of his house. Cassie’s easy manner caught him off guard. He’d felt an instant attraction to her, but he needed to curb the inclination. Curious as to what so attracted him to this woman, he’d watch and listen for a while. He’d already sensed she was being cautious over the same pull he felt.
One thing for sure, he certainly wanted to know more about her. Yet, he had specifically left California to rebuild his life, to find his footing. He finally had the time to discover who he was and what he truly wanted from life. As tempting as Cassie was—if she were even available—getting involved in a relationship might distract him from needed breathing room. Because he couldn’t see out of his swollen left eye, he had to turn his head completely to look at her. Damn. She was pretty. Just how much breathing room did a guy really need?
“Can we stop by the gas station to see what condition my truck is in?” he asked.
“Sure. It’s on the other side of the plaza. We’ll go there first.”
She maneuvered the Jeep into the traffic circle. This hub was punctuated by the only six-story building in Montauk, which looked like Gulliver among the Lilliputians next to the smaller buildings.
“Why the one high building?”
“Historical. In the early nineteen hundreds a land mogul tried to recreate Miami Beach here. That was his office building. It’s now a condominium.”
Peter looked around. “This doesn’t look like Miami Beach.”
“No joke. It never happened. The Depression hit. The developer, Fisher was his name, built that tower, Montauk Manor, and dug and dredged Lake Montauk.” She gestured out the window. “He created about thirty notable spots. Then the stock market crashed. Stopped everything. Local zoning change. Nothing tall can be built any longer.”
“Wow. You’re a natural tour guide.”
Pride lit her glance. “I know everything about Montauk. What else do you want to hear?”
He shrugged. “What do you think about outsiders?”
“You’re only an outsider if you choose to stay that way.”
Interesting perspective. Would he let Los Angeles slip from his system to become a local? Hell, yes. While growing up, the threat of police, social workers or prying teachers invading his life had been an everyday occurrence with his mom’s unreliable behavior. One would have thought he’d welcome the rescue, but he’d seen too many kids his age get lost in the system, join gangs or become caught up in drugs. He and Gil had made a pact early on that they were safer at home. Mom was passive enough. With Uncle Michael’s help, their plan had worked.
He’d miss his surfer friends, wouldn’t miss the few girlfriends he’d had. Hadn’t done so well in his choice of women. Guess he’d had a learning curve there. Once Gil had moved out, Peter had become free, ready to shake the dust from his past off his mind. Right now, it felt as if he’d never made a better choice in his life.
“I’ll enjoy finding my way around.”
“I think you’ll fit right in.”
Her smile warmed him. And the dimple in her right cheek was charming as all get-out. “Have you ever had the need to go someplace else?”
She looked surprised. “Why would I want to leave?”
He imitated her gesture out the window. “It’s a big world out there.”
“Yeah, but I love it here.”
The passion in her statement hit him like a brick. Despite his and Gil’s pact, Peter had felt the urge to run away from home his entire life. He and Gil both had. Probably why they’d promised to watch each other’s backs. “What do you do for fun around here besides fish?”
She shot him an amused look. “Other than plucking newcomers from ditches when they don’t heed the deer-crossing signs?”
He laughed. “Very funny.” He didn’t need to remind her that he wouldn’t have had the accident if he hadn’t been so busy watching her in his mirror.
Her smile seemed to light up the inside of the Jeep. “It’s pretty quiet around here. Only a few bars stay open late. If you want to party hard you’ll have to drive into East Hampton, then probably get a room. The police are pretty tough on drunk drivers.”
“Do you have a big brother who keeps all the guys away from you?”
She laughed. “Nope. Only child.”
“Boyfriend?”
They’d come to a red light. She took the opportunity to stare him down. “Nosy, aren’t you?”
He grinned. “No. Interested.”
Wow. She actually looked flustered for a moment before the light of challenge filled her eyes.
“Okay, my turn. Siblings?”
He’d play. “Yes, a brother. Older by eleven months.”
“He still in California?”
“Yes. He and his partner just married and moved to San Francisco.” He missed the guys already. “I’m happy for Gil. He and Rudy have been together for years.”
She lifted a brow. “Maybe you can get them to move here. That way you’d have family nearby, too.”
He’d thought of that on the drive across the country. Why couldn’t they all stay together? But he wouldn’t want Gil pressuring him to stay on the west coast. They had to honor each other’s choices. Besides, what if Montauk didn’t work for him? He’d hate to be responsible for dragging the guys all this way for nothing.
Cassie pulled into the gas station. “Mother? Father?”
“Not fair. Didn’t get to ask you that question yet.”
“Hey. You were just bulldozing me with interrogation. Now you refuse to answer?”
Peter spied his truck. What he saw of it seemed okay; he just had to see what the front end looked like. He opened the car door. “Didn’t say that...” He trailed off as he climbed out of the Jeep to inspect the damage to his truck. He’d rather not talk about his parents now. He’d enjoyed their light banter way too much to muddy the conversation.
She followed him to his truck. “They say you can tell a person from the car they drive.”
He laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re one of them.”
“What’s a them?”
“You know. People match their pets. Couples start looking alike after years together, someone who categorizes everything.”
She tapped a finger to her lips as she went from inspecting Peter to focusing on his truck. “Late model. White. Dirty from being on the road for days.” She looked through the closed passenger window. “Tan interior. Pristine. Hmm. Even professionally cleaned clothes on hangers in the back. And now, dented. Just like you.”
She was so sexy teasing him. He had to stop himself from running his hands through her curling blond hair, pulling her face close and kissing her senseless. Man. Had the accident addled his brain?
Cassie carried on, totally unaware of the effect she had on him. “So you’re tidy. You like comfortable things, prefer utility yet are not adverse to spending money on comfort.”
Stepping away from her before he did something he’d regret, like touching her, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Focusing on his truck, he whistled softly as he looked at the front. Tufts of grass and dirt still stuck where the grille had broken. “I wonder if I can still drive it.”
She stood next to him, and her powdery perfume filled his senses. He could definitely get used to her scent. In a huge way.
“Let’s ask.” She glanced around. “Joe’s car is gone but there’s Mike.”
Mike, wearing blue coveralls, was talking with two men. He looked over at them, and Cassie waved.
“Hope he can talk with us,” he said. “I’d like to check into my place as soon as possible.”
A line creased her brow. “You’re looking pale. Not feeling well, I take it?”
He shrugged. “Between lack of food and my headache, I’d like to take it easy.”
She prodded him back toward the Jeep. “Go sit. I’ll talk to Mike.”
He continued to keep pace with her. “Absolutely not.”
“What? You’re the type who won’t let someone else take care of them?”
A blast of reality hit. He hadn’t thought of that but leave it to this fascinating woman to get right to the point. Truthfully, he’d taken care of himself for so long that he didn’t think to ask anyone for help. Peter’s creased brow pulled at his stitches. He consciously relaxed his face. “Guess I’d have to claim guilty on your observation.”
“Well, you’ll have to work on that. We lean on each other pretty heavily at Mercy.”
“Okay then, let’s start with food. I haven’t had a bite since dinner last night. Where can we get something quick to eat?”
“I know a spot. Let’s see what Mike has to say first.”
Mike shook hands with the customer he’d been talking to and headed toward them. One look at Peter and concern crossed Mike’s face. “You must be the owner of the truck.”
“I’m Peter Chapman. Thanks for taking a look at it.”
Mike turned to Cassie, and a grin tugged at his mouth. “Jack says the deer got away.”
She grinned. “No free dinner for the locals. Sorry, Mike.”
Peter looked from one to the other. “You would have eaten the deer?”
Mike eyed him as if gauging how serious he was. “Hunting season isn’t until late fall. We appreciate the occasional venison dinner off-season, if we catch the kill fast enough.”
A true nature boy, Peter winced. “That’s like eating Bambi.”
Cassie and Mike exchanged glances as if to say they knew what kind of wuss this guy was. Mike said, “I guess you’ve never tasted venison.”
He didn’t mind being the butt of their joke. And, no. He’d never eaten venison. He clapped Mike on the shoulder. “Give me a slab of beef anytime. So, how much damage did I do to the truck?”
Mike had no trouble shifting gears. “The engine is okay. Bumper and grille will need replacing. One headlight and a radiator.” He looked toward the truck, frowning. “I’ll have to let you know. Do you have insurance?”
“Yes. This sounds like a project.”
“I’ll have to order parts. It’ll take a few days. Maybe a week or so.”
Grounded. No wheels. It was a good thing he had six days until the first day of work. “When can you let me know the full extent of the damage?”
“I’ll look at the truck next. Give me your number and insurance info. I’ll call with numbers by tomorrow, latest.”
“That’ll work.” They followed Mike into the garage to give him Peter’s information.
Cassie touched his arm, and he liked the warmth of her hand through his sleeve. “If your truck isn’t ready by the time you have to go to work, I’ll pick you up.” She shrugged. “No big deal. Doc will probably be putting us on the same schedule for the first few days anyways.”
“I’d appreciate that, Cassie. Thanks.” As much as he wanted to read into the possibility that her willingness to help was a chance to spend more time with him, he was probably more correct in thinking she was genuinely concerned. She’d already told him they helped each other out around here.
He returned his attention to Mike. “Thanks for getting to this so quickly. The insurance should cover the damage after the deductible.” His deductible was low, but this was an expense he hadn’t anticipated. He shook hands with Mike. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
