Just a Kiss in the Moonlight: Georgia Moon Romance Book 2 (17 page)

Since Luke hadn’t returned, she went back inside the bathroom and used the complimentary toothbrush and paste to brush her teeth. It felt great to have clean teeth again.

As she exited the bathroom, two orderlies wheeled Luke back into the room.

“Hey,” she said to Luke as the two hospital workers transferred him to his bed. “How are you doing?”

“Good.” He winced slightly as he settled in the bed. “The pain’s not as bad.”

“Right.” She wanted to go to him, but wasn’t sure what her role was. While the paramedic had called her Luke’s girlfriend, and he hadn’t denied it, she still was hesitant to act like a girlfriend.

As soon as the orderlies left, Luke held out his hand to her. “How about you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Taylin took his hand and loved when he curled his fingers around hers. It was a very boyfriend like thing to do. “A little tired and in serious need of a shower.” She sat down on the edge of the bed.

“You look beautiful.”

She laughed. “You’re such a liar. I’ve already looked in a mirror. I look terrible.”

There was a brief knock before the doctor stepped inside the room, followed by a nurse. “Go ahead and order Mr. McKay a tray,” he said to the nurse. Then he turned toward Luke and Taylin. “X-rays all look good. No broken ribs. The knee is swollen, but no torn ligaments that we can see right now. You’ll need to follow-up with an ortho doc in a few days once y’all are back in Mitchel Creek.”

“Thank you,” Luke said. “When can we go home?”

“I’ll write the discharge orders, but you can’t leave until we get a new splint on.” He winked at Taylin. “By the way, you did a fantastic job, young lady.”

“Thank you.” Taylin gave Luke’s hand a gentle squeeze. “How about his head? Does anyone need to stay with him tonight?” The cut on his head hadn’t needed stitches, but the doctor had used butterfly bandages to help it heal.

“It’s a mild concussion so it’s up to you, Mr. McKay. Y’all know the risk factors: lethargy, vomiting or increased headache pain. Tylenol should help with the pain, but you need plenty of rest over the next few days.” The doctor and nurse left them alone, promising to get the splint on as soon as possible.

“Come here.” Luke tugged on Taylin’s hand, bringing her close enough to kiss.

She sighed against his mouth, relieved Luke hadn’t retreated once they’d made it to safety. The worry about their developing relationship disappeared as she eagerly returned the kiss. Her head spun as the pressure on her mouth increased. She lifted her hand to Luke’s face, loving the rough feel of his whiskers against her palm. She thought she heard the door open, but at the moment didn’t care who caught them kissing. Until a familiar voice said, “Do you mind tellin’ me why you’re kissin’ my daughter?”

L
uke ended
the kiss abruptly and watched Taylin hop off the bed and rush into the arms of the man standing inside the hospital room.

“Daddy!” she squealed. “You made it.”

“Yes.” He glared at Luke. “And just in time to catch you kissin’ a man I don’t know.”

Taylin giggled and released her father. “Daddy, this is Luke McKay. Luke, this my daddy Charles Nichols.”

“Hello, sir,” Luke said, holding out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” Charles’s eyes bored into Luke, and he wasn’t sure if the man was going to shake his hand or belt him in the mouth.

Finally, Charles leaned over and grasped Luke’s hand firmly. “Just because we’ve been properly introduced doesn’t mean you can kiss my daughter again.”

“Daddy, hush up.” Taylin hugged her father’s arm affectionately. “Luke kept me safe last night.”

“I hope that’s all he did last night.”

“Charles Nichols, leave the poor boy alone.” A beautiful woman with blonde hair a shade darker than Taylin’s came through the door. “Thank you, son,” she said, smiling at Luke. “For makin’ sure Taylin was safe.”

“Luke, this is my mama, Amanda,” Taylin said after giving her mother a hug.

“Hello, ma’am.” Luke glanced at Taylin. “But I really didn’t keep Taylin safe.”

Charles raised an eyebrow.

Luke cleared his throat. “It was more like she took care of me. I was knocked unconscious and then had a dislocated kneecap, which Taylin helped reduce and then splint. She also found us a shelter and was smart enough to have brought food and water with her.”

“That’s my girl.” Charles winked at Taylin. “I told your mama and sister not to worry.”

Taylin’s forehead wrinkled. “Where is Ashlee?”

“Fixin’ her makeup,” Amanda said with a laugh. “Since y’all are on television, she wanted to look good in case they decide to interview the family.”

“We’re on the news?” Taylin moaned as she pressed a button on the side of the bedrail to turn on the television. “I’m sure I looked terrible.”

While she clicked through the channels, Taylin’s sister walked in. Luke couldn’t believe how much the two girls resembled each other.

“Tay,” she said, rushing across the room. “You’re alive!”

Taylin accepted an exuberant hug from her twin. “I am.” She sniffed. “Are you wearing my perfume again?”

Luke caught the light scent, surprised that while it was familiar, somehow it smelled better when Taylin wore it.

“Sorry,” Ashlee said, letting go. She turned and focused on Luke. This close up, he noted the subtle differences like the lighter color of blue in Ashlee’s eyes and the slight dimple in her right cheek. “You must be Luke.” She stuck out her hand for Luke to shake. “You are cute. No wonder Taylin survived the night.”

“Um, thanks.” Luke glanced at Taylin, feeling the tips of his ears redden.

She smiled and took his hand again. “In case you haven’t guessed, this is my twin sister Ashlee.”

“Hi,” he said, wishing he’d met Taylin’s family under different circumstances.

“Hey,” Ashlee said, pointing to the television screen. “There y’all are.”

Sure enough, live footage of Taylin and Luke coming out of the helicopter appeared on the screen. The next shot was a close-up of Taylin and Luke holding hands while the paramedics prepared to load Luke into the ambulance.

“A tornado ripped through Harmony Springs, Georgia yesterday afternoon and a young couple out for a romantic horseback ride got caught in the middle of it,” the reporter said.

A few pictures Rick had taken of them at the spa flashed across the screen as the reporter continued with an account of Luke and Taylin’s stay at the resort prior to the tornado. When a picture of them at the mineral spa lingered on the television, Luke swallowed hard.

No matter how hard he’d been fighting the attraction during that photo shoot, it obviously hadn’t been too convincing. The photograph depicted a shirtless Luke intently gazing into Taylin’s eyes. He didn’t remember touching her so intimately, but one hand rested on her hip with his fingertips grazing the thin line of bare skin showing at her waist. Luke glanced over at Taylin’s father who stared at the television screen with his lips pressed tightly together.

“Wow, Tay, you look totally hot in that tankini,” Ashlee said.

The lines in Charles’s face hardened at his daughter’s comment. Before Luke could glance away, Taylin’s father leveled him with a look that indicated he’d like to have a word with him alone. He really didn’t blame the man.

“The pictures are so… lovely,” Amanda said with a hint of a smile on her lips. “Tell us again how y’all met?”

Luke’s tongue felt thick, whether from the situation or the pain medication kicking in, so he was grateful Taylin answered the question. Although what Taylin said was true, like how they’d met at work, or how Luke had helped her change a flat tire, or that they both volunteered at the youth center and together took some of the kids fishing for one of the activities, she left out the part about what a jerk he’d been to Taylin.

Charles still looked mildly irritated, but his tense posture relaxed quite a bit as Taylin relayed the story of Luke taking care of the abandoned baby girl until the authorities took over.

“That is so sweet,” Amanda said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “I’m so glad y’all were there to take care of that sweet little girl.”

A light knock sounded at the door. Luke hoped it was the nurse coming to put the splint on his leg. Instead, a beautiful woman with long, dark hair stood in the doorway.

“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. Remember me?”

“Paris Allred, of course we do,” Amanda said, rushing over to the girl and giving her a hug. She stepped back and slipped her arm through Paris’s. “Y’all remember Paris? She and Chase were friends in high school, and now she’s one of the hosts for Atlanta’s channel seven morning show.”

“Hello, Paris,” Charles said, shaking the young woman’s hand. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Thank you, sir.” She glanced over at Ashlee and then at Taylin. “I can’t believe y’all are Chase’s baby sisters all grown up.”

“Hey,” Ashlee said. “Are you here to interview Taylin and Luke?”

“Well,” Paris said as her eyes landed on Luke. “I was in the area doing a special when the tornado hit.” Her gaze shifted to Taylin. “You can’t imagine how worried I was when I heard your name mentioned as one of the victims. I rushed over here to check up on you… and to see if you wouldn’t mind if I interviewed y’all for the station. I promise I won’t take up too much of your time.”

Luke didn’t want to talk to the press. But, since the woman was a family friend, he figured he better be polite. He was already on Charles Nichols’ bad side as it was.

“I don’t mind,” Taylin said. “Just as long as you let me clean up and change my clothes.”

“Absolutely.” Paris studied Taylin for a few seconds. “I have my van here with several wardrobe changes. Other than me being a few inches taller than you, we look to be about the same size, so I’m sure we can find you something to wear.”

All eyes turned to Luke as the reporter asked him if he felt up to being interviewed. “Sure.” Luke wanted to add that he didn’t care about his wardrobe or how he looked, but Taylin covered for him.

“We can let Luke rest while I change clothes.” She glanced at him with a small smile. “I’m assuming you don’t care if you shave or not?”

“It’s not a high priority right now.”

“That’s what I thought.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Besides, I think you look sexy with a beard,” she whispered next to his ear.

“I heard that,” Charles said.

Taylin laughed, her warm breath sending a wave of awareness through him. The nurse came in with the splint, clearing everyone but Taylin out of his room.

Luke could tell Charles was annoyed that his daughter stayed behind. “Your dad doesn’t like me very much,” he said as the nurse scanned his hospital wristband and then typed a few things on the computer.

“My daddy hasn’t ever liked any of my boyfriends.”

Luke was surprised by the surge of jealousy that shot through him. He hated to think about Taylin kissing anyone else. “Is that what I am? Your boyfriend?”

She looked a little vulnerable. “I hope so.”

“Even if your dad hates me?”

She laughed again. “He doesn’t hate you.” Then she slanted forward to press a soft kiss on his mouth. “I’ll be back soon.”

A half hour later, Luke had a new splint on his leg. The nurse had also provided him with a set of light blue scrubs, the bottoms loose enough to accommodate the splint. Before Taylin returned, he called his parents to tell them about his injury and the tornado. He also told them about Taylin.

“I’m so happy you’ve met someone, sweetheart,” his mom said. “But I’ll admit I don’t want my son living so far away from home.” She sighed heavily. “I kind of hoped this would be a temporary move for you, but if you marry this girl, you’ll end up staying in the South.”

The muscles in Luke’s stomach clenched. While he was okay with being Taylin’s boyfriend, he wasn’t ready to think about getting married again. Not yet, anyway. He wanted to take things slowly.

“Mom, we just started dating.” Technically, they hadn’t ever gone out. “I’m not even close to thinking about marriage again.”

“I know.” She sighed again. “I love you, Luke. I just want you to be happy.”

“I love you, too.” Luke ended the call, but not before telling his mom about the news interview and promising to let her know when it would air.

While he waited for Taylin, Luke read through his emails. There wasn’t anything urgent.

His phone buzzed with an incoming call and Dave’s name appeared on the screen.

“Dude,” Dave said when Luke answered the call. “I have soooo many questions. A tornado? Seriously?”

“I know, right?” Luke rubbed a hand alongside his aching knee. “Out of all the things I anticipated experiencing in the South, a tornado wasn’t one of them.”

“So, about those pics with Miss Taylin.” Dave gave a soft whistle. “Rachel is beside herself with joy. Y’all did look pretty cozy.”

“Yeah.” Luke glanced toward the door to make sure the Nichols family wasn’t close by. “Taylin’s parents were here when it first aired. Her dad didn’t look very happy about it.”

“Oh, man, I wish I could’ve been there,” Dave said with a laugh.

“I do too.” Luke was serious. He could use a friend. “Any chance you can come pick me up?” He had no vehicle, and even if he did, he couldn’t drive. Besides, Jennifer had texted him before he called his mom and dad to say the resort planned on delivering both his and Taylin’s cars to Mitchel Creek, along with all of their belongings by this evening.

“Funny you should ask. I figured you would need a ride home. I’m on my way right now and should be there in about an hour.”

Luke blew out a long breath, relieved he didn’t have to bum a ride with Taylin’s family. “Thanks, man. I owe you.”

He ended the call just as Taylin, her family and Paris, along with her news crew, returned to his room. Taylin looked really good in a pair of black, form-fitting workout pants and a matching pink and black patterned top.

While the cameraman got into position, Paris took a call from her producer. “Okay, y’all,” she said when she came back inside the room. “Our network affiliate wants to air the interview live.”

As she explained what that meant, Luke had second thoughts about doing the interview. He didn’t have time to try and get out of it and only hoped he didn’t sound like an idiot as they immediately went live.

Thankfully Paris was good at her job, putting Luke and Taylin at ease as she fielded questions from the network newscasters. Her angle as a longtime family friend made the interview more personal by including Taylin’s parents and her twin sister.

By the time the news crew packed up and vacated the room, Luke was ready to leave the hospital. The nurse brought in a lunch tray for him and told him the doctor had written the discharge orders so he could go home any time.

“He can ride with us,” Taylin said when the nurse asked about transportation since he couldn’t drive.

Luke hated to disappoint her, but felt like her parents— well, at least her dad— needed time to get used to the idea of their daughter seeing him. “I appreciate the offer, but Dave called while you all were out, and he’s on his way to get me.”

“Oh.” Taylin’s smile faltered, but Luke could swear her father’s shoulders dropped with relief.

Wanting to smooth over the awkward moment, he quickly told her about Jennifer’s text to deliver their cars.

“Well, I guess we’ll head on home then.” Taylin moistened her lips. “But I’m coming over tonight to make you dinner.”

Shifting uncomfortably on the bed, Luke considered how to respond. If he accepted Taylin’s offer, then her father’s dislike of him would probably increase. Yet, telling her no would hurt her feelings and send a similar message his apology after their first kiss had sent— that he wasn’t ready or willing to start a new relationship.

It only took one look in to her pretty blue eyes for Luke to make his decision. “Thank you.” He purposely avoided looking at her dad. “I’d like that.”

She broke into a smile before she leaned down and kissed him on the mouth. The kiss sent a flash of heat rushing through his veins, clouding his head as if he’d gotten another shot of pain medication. Still, he had enough clarity to remember they weren’t alone and pulled back. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yes you will.” She gave him one more quick kiss. “Tell Pastor Dave hello and that you don’t need dinner because I’m cooking for you when I come over.”

The image of Taylin in his kitchen was a pleasant one. “I’ll tell him.”

Taylin waved goodbye and left with her dad. The nurse finished up with all the paperwork, handing him a written prescription for pain medication. Then a physical therapist brought Luke a pair of crutches and adjusted them to his height. He’d used them before, so it wasn’t hard to maneuver his way into the mandatory wheelchair when Dave arrived.

Luke ended up in the backseat of Dave’s crossover, his leg elevated on the front seat that had been folded over. “Thanks for coming to get me.”