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Oh no.
I shake my head. “Uh-uh. Forget it. Anyone but you. Jog on! I’ll be fine.”
“Grace Adefope!” Letting out a disbelieving chuckle, Aidan Stewart lifts the bottom of his T-shirt to wipe his brow, revealing his toned abs in the process.
To my great annoyance, I can’t help but glance at them, and absurdly, despite everything—despite my situation and Aidan being the last person I wanted to see—a thrill shoots through me. With his muscular figure, blond hair, blue eyes, and easy grin, he’s infuriatingly attractive.
“What are you doing here?” Aidan comes closer. “I didn’t know you were in Bannock. Ally actually had a go at me earlier, saying I’m the reason you’ve not been back since the engagement party, and yet here you are!”
“It’s a long story.” It’s not that long, but I’ve no wish to talk to this guy. “I fell, but I’ll be okay. Thanks for your concern. Don’t let me interrupt your jog.”
He scoffs. “You’ll be okay? So why were you calling ‘Help!’, and why are you sitting on the ground? What’s the matter? Where does it hurt?”
I sigh. “I went over my ankle, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. It probably just needs a bit of time, and then I should be able to walk again.”
Smirking, he kneels beside me. “C’mon, let me help!”
“Oh, and you’re a doctor, are you?”
“Well, I am an outdoor instructor, and for that I’ve done first-aid training, so . . . I’m far from the worst person to have found you. Actually, I’d say you were pretty lucky it was me who came along.”
“Lucky!” I splutter. “Of everyone who lives in Bannock, you’re the last person I’d have picked.”
“Oh? Is this because we had sex?”
Jeez, this guy has no tact. How come in romance films, the male leads always know just what to say, but in real life, men are so . . . disappointing?
“That may have something to do with it,” I reply primly.
“The way I remember it, you weren’t complaining at the time, so I don’t know why you’re suddenly being so mean to me!”
I’ve half a mind to slap him for that. I wasn’t “complaining at the time”? The cheek!
He flashes me a quick grin. “Anyway, your ankle, can you describe the pain? And would you like to peel up your leggings so we can take a look? Or I could—”
“I’ll manage!” I carefully lift them, revealing my swollen ankle, which is already bruising.
Briefly I explain to Aidan what happened and how it feels. When he asks if it’s tender to the touch, I rush to put my hand there before he can. “Yes!” I wince.
Aidan checks things over for a little longer then gives his judgement. “You’ll need to get this seen to. It may just be a sprain, but it’s best to be sure. Right, let’s get you to Bannock, then I can drive you to hospital.”
“And how am I going to get to Bannock? I can’t walk.”
He gives me a funny look. “Well, I’m going to carry you, obviously.”
I shake my head. “No, absolutely not. How about, instead, you jog to Johnny MacDonald’s cottage? My mum and brother are there: they can come and help. Or maybe you could go get Emily and A—”
“I’m not leaving you here by yourself,” he interrupts. “If you’ll just let me . . .” He reaches out to pick me up.
“I’m not sure about this!” I blurt, halting him. “Besides, I . . . am not the lightest.” My cheeks burn with shame.
Practising yoga daily keeps me pretty toned, but despite my best efforts, my body remains naturally soft in certain places. As for my thighs and bottom, they’re never going to be small and dainty like those of my petite best friend, Emily.
Unperturbed, Aidan places one arm around my back and slides his other under my legs. “You carry your bag and I’ll carry you, okay?”
With horror, I wait for him to attempt to lift me then give up with words such as “Well, that isn’t going to work” or “I’ll have to try a firefighter’s carry.” Instead, he raises me in his arms with an ease I’d never have expected.
“You can hold on to my neck, if you like,” he offers.
