Morgan whacked Cole’s back in fatherly fashion. “Tomorrow, she’s all yours. You two take the day off. Go to the beach. Maybe you could do some sightseeing. Whatever Debbie wants. If I need anything, I’ll shut the power off in the breaker box. That’ll get Buddy out of his room. Anyway, the doctor said I’m healing great. The water therapy was a stroke of genius, and I have Debbie to thank for that, don’t I? Whatever it takes, show her a good time, okay?”

Cole took a deep breath. He’d asked for it. He couldn’t very well accuse everyone of taking advantage of her good nature and then be the one to refuse to alleviate her duties. He nodded. The smile on his father’s face changed. It looked suspiciously like a smirk.

But all day? He hoped he survived. It wouldn’t pay to forget she was dangerous to his peace of mind.

Hell! Who am I kidding? I have no peace of mind. All he had was a houseguest from Oklahoma with dark eyes, a slow drawl, and a smile that tied his guts in a knot.

*  *  *

Cole was leaning against the doorway with arms crossed, surveying his bed and its contents. It was the third trip he’d made in as many hours, and he was beginning to worry. By his best calculations, Debbie had been sleeping for the better part of four hours. If she didn’t wake soon, he was calling the doctor. Something must be wrong with her.

It took effort, but Debbie maintained her slow, even breathing. She watched Cole with interest. She’d realized some moments before when she’d opened her eyes to find him watching her that he hadn’t noticed she was awake. He was staring at her, but she could tell he wasn’t really seeing her. He was lost somewhere in thought, and that was just fine with her. It gave her the opportunity to look back from a very interesting vantage point—his bed.

How she got here was not a question she wanted answered. How she was going to get him to join her would have been much more appropriate to her way of thinking.

He was such an enigma. Debbie was used to men who were more forthright. Men who said what they meant and left you to decide whether you would slap their faces or hug their necks.

The red jogging shorts he was wearing left way too much tan skin showing for her peace of mind. His broad shoulders and flat belly told her that he probably maintained a rigid regimen of physical fitness. And then she remembered his occupation and knew that it was probably not just a choice of lifestyle that kept him in shape. It was also necessity.

“Am I being evicted?”

Her slow drawl made him jump. And then the look in her eyes nearly sent him to join her.