Shades of Gray (KGI #6)(59)

“What? You just said we’re all a bunch of clueless idiots,” Cole sputtered.

Cathy grinned. “Can’t have you getting the big head.”

Cole shook his head as Cathy set the last suture. Then he moved forward, looking at P.J.’s leg over Cathy’s shoulder. “How’s it look?”

“Donovan did a good job,” Cathy said. “The wound is clean and free of infection. I’d still like to send her home with a prescription for antibiotics just in case. If she notices any redness or swelling around the wound, she needs to start on them immediately. If she starts running a fever, feels bad or just feels off in any way, you’ll need to bring her back in so we can have a look-see. Donovan did an adequate job of stitching but I wanted to get in there and see for myself what we were dealing with.”

“What kind of recovery time are we looking at?” Cole asked.

Cathy turned to face Cole. “Well, if she takes it easy and stays off her feet and doesn’t try to do too much too soon, I’d say a couple weeks. But good luck getting her to do just that.”

Cole snorted. “Tell me about it.”

“Hey, guys?” P.J. broke in. “Hello? I’m sitting right here. Stop talking about me like I’m not present.”

Cathy gave her a dismissive look. “I know better than to tell you all this with no witnesses. You only hear what you want to hear and disregard the rest. At least now Cole will know what you’re supposed to do and make sure you do it.”

“Sometimes friends can be a pain in the ass,” P.J. grouched.

Cathy grinned. “That’s what friends do, sugar.”

P.J. smiled back at her. “Thanks, Cathy. I appreciate everything.”

“Just focus on getting better. That’s the best thanks you can give me.” Her expression sobered and she put her hand on P.J.’s arm, squeezing lightly. “I worry about you, P.J.”

“You don’t have to worry about her anymore,” Cole said firmly. “I fully intend to make sure she takes it easy and does what she’s supposed to.”

Cathy’s eyes widened and then a broad smile split her lips. “Well, okay then. It would seem P.J. has met her match.”

Cole cut a glance in her direction, those blue eyes gleaming with promise. “Oh yeah, most definitely.”

Cathy took a step back, surveying P.J. with apparent satisfaction. Then she pursed her lips and said, “I’d give you a pair of crutches, but something tells me you wouldn’t use them.”

P.J. wrinkled her nose in distaste. “No. You’re right. I wouldn’t. I limp along just fine. A little pain isn’t going to kill me.”

Cathy shrugged. “Hardheaded woman. Okay, well I’m done with you. I’ll give you back to Cole so you can be a pain in his ass instead of a pain in mine.”

P.J. laughed and then slid gingerly off the bed. She held on to the edge for a long moment before pushing off to stand on her own.

Cole hovered at her elbow, his brow creased with concern. But he didn’t make a fuss or a scene in front of Cathy, which she totally appreciated.

He did remain solidly at her side as she maneuvered her way out of the exam room and into the hall.

“You okay?” he asked quietly when they got outside the hospital.

She nodded. “Yeah. Hurts like a mofo, but I can deal.”

He helped her into the passenger seat of his truck and then reached over her to snag a bottle of water in the center console. Still standing there, he opened the glove compartment and retrieved the container holding the pain medication.

“Here, go ahead and take another pill so you stay ahead of the pain. And if you want to take a rain check on tonight, we can go back to the house so you can take a nap on the couch.”

She laid her hand over his and he went completely still. She could feel the hitch in his breath as it stuttered over his lips.

“I want to go, Cole. I’ll take the pill and I’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to our . . . date.”

He touched his knuckle to her face and brushed it down the curve of her cheekbone. Then he simply leaned in and kissed her forehead. “So am I.”

CHAPTER 29

“OH my God, I’m stuffed,” P.J. groaned as she pushed her plate away. “That was so freaking good.”

Cole had taken her to this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that resembled a shack twenty minutes from his house. They served a variety of country-style food, but the seafood was out of this world.

She’d ordered the seafood platter and damn near ate the entire thing.

“I practically live here when I’m home,” Cole said. “Not that I can’t cook, but the food is great and the prices are reasonable. No sense cooking for one when I can come here.”

“If I had a place like this to eat, I’d never cook either,” she said.

“Glad you enjoyed it. You need a few more meals like this one.” His tone grew serious. “You lost a lot of weight over the last six months, P.J. Weight you couldn’t afford to lose. You could stand to pack on a few more pounds.”

If he didn’t sound so genuinely concerned, his comment would irk her. But it was obvious he was worried, and she couldn’t fault him for that. She’d had plenty to say to him when he was convalescing after taking a bullet. It was her turn to shut up and take it.