In Safe Hands (Search and Rescue #4)(3)
“If you say so.” She curled her fingers under the box’s cardboard flaps and looked at Chris, waiting anxiously for his okay to open it. When he waved a hand, a smile tugging at his mouth, she flipped the flaps over, revealing a sheet of bubble wrap. Pushing it aside, she spotted the flesh-colored torso and shrieked with excitement. “Grapple Man!”
Wrapping her arms around the dummy, she pulled him out of the box, scattering packing material as she did so. He was heavier than she’d expected, probably about fifty pounds, and Daisy grunted as she hoisted him upright. Looking at Chris, she saw he was wearing a proud grin.
“This is awesome, Chris! If I didn’t have my arms full of this marvelous specimen of fake manhood, I would hug you so hard! Where’d you get him?”
“The department upgraded, so I snagged this one for you.” He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “He needed a new sparring partner, and I figured you could use a training buddy for times when I’m not here.”
She was distracted for a second by the way Chris’s biceps bulged, stretching the tan fabric of his uniform shirt, and it took a moment for his answer to penetrate. “He’s the best present ever. Thank you, Chris.” She hugged the dummy, since the man she really wanted to hug was several feet away and didn’t always accept physical affection gracefully. “I shall call him…Maximillian. Unless…” Daisy looked over the dummy’s shoulder so she could see Chris. “Did you guys already name him?”
Smirking, he shook his head.
“Huh.” Bending her knees, she heaved Max over her shoulder into a fireman’s carry. “How could you have worked with him for years without naming him? It’s unnatural.”
“Unnatural? Naming some dummy you’re about to kick in the face is what’s unnatural. I’ll get him, Dais.” Chris reached to take Max, but Daisy spun out of reach, tottering slightly before catching her balance.
“We’re good.” She patted Max’s behind as she headed for the training room. “I can’t wait to practice my kicks on him. With the bag, I never know if I’m landing them in the right spot. Did I mention that this is the best gift ever?”
“I think you did a couple of times.” He followed her through the doorway.
“Well, thank you again.” She eyed the hook dangling from a chain next to the heavy bag. “That should be a good height for Mr. Max, don’t you think?”
“Looks about right.” Chris maneuvered the dummy so the ring at the back of his neck slid onto the hook. Max’s feet almost touched the ground.
“Perfect.” Eyeing her new piece of training equipment, Daisy excitedly bounced on her toes before turning back to Chris. “He’s so great. You’re so great. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
She couldn’t stop herself from reaching to hug him, but he dodged and grabbed her outstretched hands instead. Although she felt the usual dart of hurt, Daisy’s delight in Max was too great to be squashed so easily. She squeezed his hands, instead.
“You’re, uh, welcome,” he said, glancing away. Ever since she’d given in to a moment of impulsive stupidity and tried to kiss him a few months earlier, awkward moments had occurred between them on a regular basis. Daisy hated that.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, releasing his hands and turning toward the doorway. “I can make us some lunch.”
“That’s okay.” He followed her out of the training room. “I’ll just swing by my house and grab something quick.”
Disappointment settled over her, and she fought to keep her smile. “Since you used your break to bring me my new favorite man, the least I can do is feed you. Plus, then you can fill me in on all the latest Simpson gossip.”
“Gossip?” he grumbled. “I don’t gossip. I’m with the sheriff’s department, not Fire.”
Daisy laughed. “If we call it ‘important local news,’ instead, will you tell me the latest on the hermit guy’s new girlfriend?”
Although his affable smile stayed in place, a shadow darkened his expression for just a second before he reached for his coat. “Sorry, Dais. No time. Got to keep Field County safe from jaywalking tourists and vagrant bighorn sheep. I’ll stop by on one of my days off so we can train.”
“Sure? There are leftover crab cakes from last night. Not to toot my own crustacean-cooking horn, but they’re pretty tasty.”
His smile widened, but he didn’t pause as he pulled on his boots. “I’ll have to try them another time.”
“Okay.” Daisy watched as he unfastened the multiple locks. Although she wanted to push him again to stay, it would just make her seem lonely and desperate. “Thanks again for Max.”
“You’re welcome again.” With a final crooked smile, he was gone.
And she was alone once more.
*
Sweat ran into her eyes, making them sting. Her knee connected with Max’s outer thigh. If he’d been a real boy, the nerve strike would’ve rendered that leg useless for a while. Moving back, she practiced front and side kicks until her legs were like noodles, and then moved to punches and palm-heel strikes.
When her wrapped hands felt too heavy to lift, she leaned against Max and gasped for breath. He swung away from her weight, so she wrapped her arms around his middle to stabilize them both. When she realized how they must look, Daisy gave a breathless laugh and forced her body to straighten.