Summer's Night (2 page)

Chapter 2

"Great job, Mrs Kensington." Summer praised her new patient as she performed yet another exercise to strengthen her leg muscles and get back on her feet following knee replacement surgery. "Just like that. Slide your heel toward your rear end gently, just enough to feel a bit of a stretch, hold for a few seconds, then slide it back out again." She crouched down beside the bed, observing carefully for any break in proper alignment or technique. "Three more. You can do it."

A peripheral movement caught her attention. Glancing over, she discovered a tall man observing the session, his long blue-black hair brushed straight and hanging down past his shoulder blades. Deep blue eyes contrasted with his dark skin and hair. His powerful fingers gripped a steaming mug as he stood in the doorway, watching her with an expression rife with intensity.

"Two. One." She automatically counted for her patient, turning her attention to the older woman reclining on the bed, giving her a large smile. "I'm so proud of you."

"Whew! I'm glad that one is over. I swear that's my worst." Mrs Kensington sat up, gingerly rotating with Summer's assistance, until her right leg extended straight out from her body, her heel resting on the floor. The other leg bent at the knee, providing support in preparation for standing. "Oh, Colton. I didn't see you standing there." She grinned at the man, her face glowing with what appeared to be joy and pride.

Summer stood up, moving the walker closer to her patient, her gaze skipping back to their visitor. Colton, she called him. Her heart sped at the mere sight of him. He could easily have been on the cover of one of the romance novels she secreted away, her guilty pleasure on cold evenings. His Native American heritage spoke loudly in his coloring, dark hair, high cheekbones, strong jaw, and chiseled nose that hooked just slightly. Those blue eyes, though.
Wow.
Eerie, yet beautiful, they saw deep into her soul, peeling away layers as if he possessed magical powers and could ferret out the truth just from a stare full of intimidation. A unique blend, but one that worked for him. Very well.

"Colton. This is Summer. Summer, this is Colton, my son."

Summer smiled at the man, not the least surprised to hear of strong family ties with Mrs Kensington. They resembled one another in many ways, obviously sharing a heritage, although her coloring seemed a bit lighter, which could mean something or nothing. She stood a head shorter, about the same height as Summer herself, while Colton carried a larger, more muscular frame, not just a masculine form, but a stouter build altogether. Mrs Kensington's black hair lacked the midnight blue nuances of her son's while gray streaks provided a delicate salt and pepper tint. "Nice to meet you."

Colton stepped closer, his face stoic. Raking her over with a glance, he lifted the cup to his lips. "Same." He sipped before lowering the cup once more.

How odd.
He almost sounded like he didn't care for her. But that didn't make sense, they just met literally two seconds ago. Summer mentally shrugged away his gruff greeting. Perhaps he was one of those people that you simply didn't speak to before they drank half a pot of coffee.

Returning to her task at hand, she looked down at her client. "Feel up to a little walk?"

Mrs Kensington glanced over at her son before meeting Summer's eyes. "I think so. Let's head to the living room." She grabbed tight to the walker, leaned forward a bit then adjusted the position of her legs.

Summer steadied the walker, keeping one hand on the gait belt wrapped snugly around the older woman's stomach.

Colton strode over, long steps eating up the distance, until he stopped by his mother's side, having deposited his mug on a nearby dresser along his path. He reached out as if to lift his mother from her seated position.

"Please don't help her, Mr Kensington," Summer instructed softly. "She can do this by herself. I've seen her."

"What if she falls?" he sniped back, his tone abrupt and a bit harsh. Lines furrowed on his face, those unusual eyes sparked.

A defensive expression if she ever saw one. It wasn't the first time she'd placated overly helpful family members, dealing with their anxiety and eagerness to help when the patient needed none. "I have her." She lifted a smidgen on the belt, showing her hand wrapped around the tightly knit cotton material, palm up. "I can steady her and lift, whatever is necessary, with this belt. I won't let her fall, promise."

"You're not big enough or strong enough to hold her weight if she starts to go down." He argued while pulling his hands back.

"You might be surprised." She flashed him a look full of confidence before addressing his mother. "Ready?"

Mrs Kensington took a deep breath then slowly stood, keeping her right leg straight while pushing off with the left. With only a little assistance, she managed to stand erect, both hands clasping the walker. "That's still hard, but easier than yesterday."

Summer smiled. "Each day will get easier, especially as hard as you're working." She looked up at Colton. "Thank you for wanting to help. As you can see, she can do many things by herself with just someone to stand by in case she needs assistance."

He backed up, allowing enough room for easy passage as his mother took the walker in hand, steadily moving forward, not quite putting her full weight on the surgical side. The wheels on the front of the device rotated easily on the hardwood floors. Reclaiming his cup, he watched them closely.

Summer ignored his rapt attention, writing it off as part of a son's protectiveness, though his unyielding stare pricked her nerves irritably. Putting her focus back on her client, she followed Mrs Kensington to the doorway.

"Call me Night."

Chapter 3

Night's gaze raked Summer's body from head to toe and back again. She would never walk the runway in Paris but, at the same time, held her own in the physical looks department. Her sandy blonde ponytail hung just past her shoulder blades, making her hair a few inches longer than his own. Large brown eyes enhanced a rounded face, long eyelashes framing sparkling eyes. Funny, he'd never paid much attention to eyelashes before.

Her green scrubs hinted at an athletic, toned body, the short-sleeved top revealed tanned skin and sculpted muscles. Most women carried a softer build. Outside of athletes, few ladies sported defined arms and shoulders signaling familiarity with physical activity. The crown of her head would brush his chin, making her close to average height for a woman.

True to her word, she kept his mother upright and on track. Only once did her hand tighten severely on the belt, the muscles in her arm standing out as she lifted. The subtle movement would have been missed by most others, even him, if he wasn't watching their every step with practiced eyes. Her compact body appeared to possess adequate strength for her work-required endeavors.

"Okay. Night. I'm Summer." She spared him a glance.

She didn't look like a teenager, probably in her twenties, he guessed. That was older than he'd feared. Grudgingly, he admitted she seemed to know exactly what she was doing. His unease settled as he watched her in action, the kindness and patience she showed to his mother, her quick praise and encouragement reassuring him. And all done with a smile.

Maybe she would work out after all.

"There. You did wonderfully." Summer tugged the walker to the side of the recliner from where his mother sat. "Let me get you something to drink. What would you like?"

His mother took a deep breath and only paused for a second before answering. "Tea. I believe there are some tea bags in the cupboard by the fridge. You can get the hot water from the coffeemaker."

Summer headed toward the kitchen. "I'll bring you those oatmeal cookies too. You've earned them." Stopping, she looked at him. "Would you like anything, Night? A refill perhaps?"

He shook his head. "No thanks." Taking a long sip of his quickly cooling java, he watched her go, energy in every step. To be honest, her offer to wait on them caught him by surprise. Granted, he didn't know much about physical therapy, but he'd expected her to come in, do some exercises with his mother then dash off to another patient. Not bring her cookies and make her green tea in addition to her regular duties.

"Isn't she a dear?" his mother's soft voice broke into his thoughts.

"She's not what I expected," he admitted, watching the doorway for her to re-emerge.

He'd seen more beautiful women, even dated his fair share of them. Summer seemed more down to earth, not a knockout who sent men to their knees and gave them fuel for erotic dreams for nights to come. Yet, something about her snared his attention and refused to let go. What little he'd seen of her personality and her pretty looks drew his curiosity, whetted his appetite for more.

His mother looked over at him. "She's such an angel. Bakes cookies and does a lot more than she has to. Not a lazy bone in her body. Single, too."

Night noticed the familiar twinkle in his mother's eye and cringed.
Here we go again.
She was back to playing matchmaker, an old hobby for her. More than once, she'd prodded and pushed him toward one woman or another, pointing out all their wonderful attributes. The one time he took her advice on a particular woman, it ended in a disaster. He swore afterward he would ensure his mother stayed out of his social life, no matter her frequent clamoring for grandchildren. "Not interested, Mother."

She snorted. "Stubborn as a frog after a lightning bug. You aren't getting any younger."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm only thirty-one. Last time I looked, that's not quite in my dotage. Besides, I don't need any help finding a date. Thanks anyway."

"You wouldn't know a good thing if it smacked you in the face," she grumped.

Summer entered the room, carrying a container of cookies as well as a steaming mug. "Here you go. The tea is hot, so watch your tongue."

"Thank you."

After handing off the drink, Summer held out the treat in offering. "They're oatmeal."

His mother reached in, pulling two cookies out, placing them on the napkin Summer also provided. Once she finished, Summer moved over to him.

He followed suit, snatching a cookie from the box. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Her smile lit up her entire face. Bright white teeth sparkled in the morning sunlight streaming through the large bay window.

His breath caught as something deep inside clicked.

"I better get going. Thank you for working so hard, Mrs Kensington. Do you want me to leave the gait belt with you or take it with me?" she asked while unhooking the garment and slipping it off.

"Oh, you can leave it here. Just set it on the table there."

"I'll see you tomorrow at the same time?" She lightly rolled up the belt, setting it on the coffee table.

"Of course." His mother patted the younger woman's hand.

"It's a date, then." With a small wave, Summer headed to the front door.

Night met her there, opening the door for her. He stared down at her for a moment before giving a small nod. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome. Your mother is a wonderful lady. I enjoy her appointments."

The corner of his mouth hitched upward. "Don't tell her that too much or she'll be impossible to live with."

She chuckled, her eyes sparking with amusement. "I'll do my best. It was nice meeting you, Night."

"Same here."

He stood in the doorway, watching her trot to her car, climb in, and drive off.
I'll be looking forward to tomorrow.

"It's a wonder a girl like that is single," his mother called from across the room.

Returning to his seat, Night released a sigh. His mother would be on the Summer bandwagon for a while. She meant well, but he tired of her meddling. The simple truth was he hadn't found a woman who made him want to settle down and have a family. Settling wasn't an option. He'd seen too many gorgeous women marry for money then take the man for all his assets. Certainly, he didn't top the
Fortune 500
list, but he paid his bills and kept enough in reserve so he could retire any time he wanted and not worry about hitting the soup lines due to starvation.

Some of his men had recently found just such a woman to complete their lives.
Damn lucky
. Cale found Lily, an office nurse, poor as a church mouse with a heart of pure gold. Cale's brother, Dillon, planned to marry his longtime sweetheart soon. Even Loco stumbled across a wondrous beauty who fit him to a T.

In all fairness, the men more than deserved to find their other halves. They'd sacrificed everything for their country at one time and now did the same, only in the private sector. Their job factored in an element of true unpredictability, with no set schedule and no care of climate, holidays, or personal wishes. Dangerous and potentially deadly, the Wind Warriors flew under the radar, performing hard, dirty jobs that someone had to do. It wasn't an easy life and didn't lend itself to a family. But deep down he knew each warrior longed for a sweetheart to return home to, to give them a reason to survive, to fight, and to shower them with love as often as they could. He was no different.

"What do you know about her?" He sat his mug on the table before getting comfortable in the high backed chair.

She smiled warmly. "So, you're interested."

He shook his head. "I want to run her through an intel check. Make sure she's on the up and up."

She sighed. "You'll do it anyway, I'm sure. But, you won't find anything."

"We'll see."

His mother's face brightened. "Why don't you ask her yourself tomorrow morning?"

He read the challenge in her eyes. "Fine." Grabbing his coffee cup, he marched into the kitchen, tired of playing games with his well-meaning mother.

Tomorrow. He would question the therapist, do a quick background check, and satisfy himself she was legit. It would ensure his mother received the best care and no fishy business existed. After that, he could rest easy and wave off his mother's romance plans relating to him and Summer for good.