Dear Rosie, (Love Letters #2)

“Let’s get you in the car before full delusion sets in.” There’s a smile in Nathan’s voice.

I look up to see his smile is soft, but his face shows exhaustion.

I frown. “You don’t have to do this.”

His smile drops. “Woman, you’re going to start hurting my feelings if you keep saying that. Now keep your weight off your left foot and let me help you into the fucking car.”

Sighing, I take my feet off the little footrests on the wheelchair, and I let Nathan help me into his vehicle.

Nathan grabs my seat belt and reaches across me to clip it in. “Watch your arm,” he tells me, then he shuts the door.

My eyes close, and as my body gently throbs, I let unconsciousness pull me back under.

EIGHTY-FIVE

ROSALYN

“Little Rose.” The deep voice rumbles through my body.

“Hmm?”

“Rosie, I need you to wake up for just a moment.”

I crack my lids open. “What?”

Nathan’s mouth pulls up on one side. “You gotta get out of the car.”

Turning my head, I look past Nathan to the wheelchair waiting beside him. “Did you steal that?”

He scoffs. “Iborrowedit.”

I roll my eyes. “More like you sweet-talked the nurse into it.”

The other side of his mouth pulls up to make a full smile. “No idea what you’re talking about. Now help me help you, or else we’re just gonna sleep in the car. And that will make Charles very cross.”

Charles.The reminder of his cat waiting upstairs is the motivation I need.

I unbuckle, and Nathan uses his hands on my hips to help me turn so my feet are out of the vehicle.

“I’m gonna guide you,” Nathan tells me as he pulls me toward the end of the seat. “Just remember to keep your foot up.”

I grip his shoulders and do as he says.

When my right foot hits the ground, Nathan reaches behind him and swings the wheelchair around so it’s right beside me.

By the time my butt hits the seat, I’m back to being achy and tired.

Nathan shuts my door, then disappears around behind me.

I hear him open and close another door before he reappears.

He has an overstuffed duffel bag on each shoulder, the shoebox under one arm, and the crutches tucked under the other.

I hold my hands out. “Give me something. You look ridiculous.”

Nathan looks at the shoebox but makes no move to give it to me. “Can you take the crutches?”

Reaching out, I take them and settle them between my knees and onto my shoulder so they won’t catch on doorways. “You can just set everything in my lap.”