Tory wrapped a towel loosely around Reese’s forearm, then applied the ice pack and secured it with another towel. “Keep this on for as long as you can. If you have more pain during the night or the numbness worsens, call me. It’s unlikely you’ll have a problem, but I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Uh-huh. What’s your phone number?” Reese inquired politely. She had no intention of taking up any more of this woman’s time. From the outset, the whole ridiculous situation was her own fault. No one had ever taken her by surpriseaaa like that before.

“Just yell. I’ll be on your couch.”

Reese shot straight up in bed. “You are not staying here.”

“Listen to me carefully.” Tory’s tone was steel. “My Jeep is at the clinic. I’m extremely tired, and I’m starting to get cranky. I intend to go to sleep immediately. Don’t worry; you won’t even know I’m here.”

“That’s not the point,” Reese exclaimed. “You’ve already done too much for me.”

Tory raised an eyebrow. “And just how would you define too much, Sheriff? Is any help at all too much?”

When Reese only stared, Tory eventually smiled faintly. “Just tell me where the sheets are—I’m beat.”

Reese pointed to a military footlocker pushed under the windows. “Bedding’s in there, Doctor. Only what the PX had to offer, I’m afraid. I’ve only been a civilian a short time, and shopping off base has not been high on my list of priorities.”

“It’ll do for a night. Thanks,” Tory said as she headed for the door. “Now, lights out, please.”

 “Yes, ma’am,” Reese sighed, realizing she had been outmaneuvered in more ways than one that evening.

 At five a.m. in May on the North Atlantic coast, sunrise was still a long way off. Reese stood in the dim light reflected from the kitchen looking down at Tory King, captivated by how peaceful she appeared. The doctor slept on her side, arms wrapped around the pillow. Her tousled auburn hair framed a face soft and youthful in sleep. Though her clothes were tossed haphazardly over a nearby chair, she kept her leg brace and cane within arm’s reach.

Before Reese could move away, Tory rolled onto her back and opened her eyes, moving from sleep to full wakefulness almost instantaneously. She saw the curiosity in Reese’s face before all expression fled. “What?” Tory asked. “Is there something strange about the way I sleep?”

Reese contemplated her for a moment, aware that Tory was naked under the light covering. The curve of hip and the slight swell of breasts were outlined in light and shadow. Reese knew she was staring and forced her eyes to Tory’s face. “Well, you don’t just sleep. You seem to embrace it, as if it were nourishing you.”

Her voice trailed off. She had no words to express how beautiful the woman had been. “I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she finished awkwardly.

Tory sat up, holding the sheet to her chest with one arm. With the other, she brushed her hair back from her face. “I think I felt you in my sleep, but it didn’t disturb me.”

Tory looked at Reese uncertainly. She was sure the sheriff hadn’t touched her, but her skin tingled with the sense of a lingering caress. Abruptly, she swung her legs to the floor. This was getting ridiculous. Too much turmoil in the last twenty-four hours had her imagining things.