Lucy sighed as Marta fluttered around her. She was constantly doing something to 'help' Lucy. Elevating her leg, giving her soup or bringing her water. "Have you finished your soup yet? You need you rest and nourishment."
Lucy shook her head. She stared at the broth. She knew Marta only meant to help. "I'm not hungry."
"I wish you would accept help as gracefully as poor Aldebaran."
Lucy's heart sank. She could be crippled.
"Of course Kevin's more concerned about you than the horse. He has a heart of butter. He hates to see anything hurt or in pain."
She was heartsick. Ben was coming. What would Kevin tell him? He already knows too much. What exactly had she said in her delirium? How much did Kevin really know? She closed her eyes and sleep came.
She awoke to the smell of fried chicken. Marta's special. The door slammed and Ben entered. "Goodness Lucy! I leave and you get yourself into trouble. I should have known better than to trust you to Kevin." He smiled. He came over handing her flowers. "Hello? Anyone there?"
"Sorry, the codeine must be making me slow."
"Well you look great! Did you miss me?"
"I've been a little to busy to think about that."
"I missed you. I thought about you every night."
"Well I did miss you some." She smiled.
"Good. Man I wish I could take you dancing."
"Well I'm pretty boring these days."
He reached across her shoulder, slid his fingers into the hair behind her neck and cradled her head. "You're never boring dear." His lips parted.
Lucy knew what he was doing and she froze. With Ben's kiss her muscles tightened. She pressed against his chest and he backed off.
"What?"
"Why did you have to do that?"
"Because you need kissing." He said tersely, like he found a problem and was going to fix it.
Her teeth clenched. "No I don't."
"I think you just need to be loved and adored. You want some man to go crazy over you."
She turned away from him as tears stung her eyes. "What makes you think someone hasn't?"
"Is that why you're here. You have a broken heart?"
Kevin came in and slammed the door. He looked at them and went into the kitchen.
"What's wrong with him?"
Lucy didn't answer. She didn't know what to say. "Are you leaving in the morning?"
"I don't have a choice. But tonight could be worth remembering."
His persistence astounded her. He never gave up. "I think you have wasted your trip."
"Okay, but will you miss me?"
She sighed, "If I say yes?"
"Then I'll kiss you."
She bit her lip. "Then no."
But he kissed her anyway. Panic filled her. She pushed him away again and struggled to sit up.
Ben caught her hands. "What's wrong?" She pulled against his grip. "Stop it Lucy." The words were sharp, like a command. She closed her eyes against the tears. "What is it?" Ben's voice was soft.
"Nothing."
"Well I've kissed a few women before, but none have ever acted like I have some disease."
Tears began falling down her face. He would never understand. Images flashed in her mind. A dark closet and hands. 'Give us a kiss', the words came to her.
Ben stood and walked to the doorway. "I'll take you to town. Even though you can't dance, you can still listen."
She had to smile. "I would like to go if I could, but I hurt all over."
He walked over and sat down. "Someone gave me this book of stories on the plane." He pulled to blanket up around her and sat down. He opened the book. Ben would stay home and read to her? She was amazed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kevin sat alone in his office. He could see Lucy tucked under Ben's arm. Ben was slowly wearing her down. Maybe she had wanted it this way all along. Maybe it was a game to her. But Kevin felt a check in his spirit- or was it his pride? Ben was hooked on her, that's for sure. He flew out for one night to see her.
He rubbed his eyes. God, why did you bring her here? What do you want me to do? I'm willing to help her, but don't make me choose. Ben is my brother.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lucy woke the next morning and the first thing she saw was Ben sitting in the chair watching her. She rose up on her elbows wincing at the pain. "You're leaving now?"
"Yes." He walked over to her. "You look great in the mornings." He smiled and leaned down and kissed her. He stepped back and Lucy noticed Kevin standing the doorway. Ben crossed to the door and left.
Kevin stood straight on the doorframe. "I think you'll be more comfortable in your room. There will be more privacy."
Her heart sank. "Okay."
"I'll tell Marta to get it ready."
Kevin left to go outside and she laid back. The hours seemed to drag on forever. Kevin didn't come inside for lunch, but he did come back later that afternoon. "Lucy are you ready to go upstairs?"
Part of her wanted to beg to stay downstairs, but she could tell Kevin was mad. "Yes." She pushed herself up, ignoring the pain. She reached for the crutches.
Kevin came over. "I'll get you." He lifted her in his arms and carried her upstairs. He laid her on the bed. "You'll do just fine up here." He wasn't asking, her was telling her.
"I'll be fine."
"Good." He left her.
She looked around the room. It was simpler than she remembered. She needed nothing more.

A/N: Please review! Thank you