“Sounds sensible.” And ominous. Just how many people disappeared in Maine? If someone in the city went missing, somebody usually saw something. Not that they’d say, but folks just didn’t go poof. There were security cameras everywhere.

“Do you hike?” Ashley was eying him up like he was a slice of chocolate cake. “Because you could join us. We’re here for the rest of the week.”

Danny backed away. Was this what a rabbit felt like when a hawk hovered overhead? “Sorry. I can’t. I’m helping out in the kitchen.”

“Too bad,” Ashley lamented.

“You all have a great day.” Danny made his escape. He went back to the kitchen. Mandy was filling glass pitchers with juice. “What else needs to be done?”

His hand trembled, and the familiar pins-and-needles tingle started in his fingers. Dammit. It was early in the morning for his nerves to be pulling their shit. If he were smart, he’d give it a rest. At the very least, he’d better not handle glass.

“You could cut up another melon.” She carried the pitchers toward the dining room. The smile she gave him over her shoulder made him forget any ideas of resting.

“Got it.” Melons were very durable. He grabbed a cantaloupe from the icebox, scrubbed it in the sink, and set it on the cutting board. With a knife from the block, he halved the melon and went to work slicing it. He paused every few cuts to clench his hand and give it a shake.

Mandy returned and went to check her latest batch of waffles. Danny’s gaze was drawn to the fit of her worn jeans below the tie of her apron. Mm, mm, mm.

As if she felt his stare, she glanced back at him. “You’re bleeding.”

Danny looked down. Blood ran off his left hand. Suddenly lightheaded, he averted his eyes. He put the knife down and went to the sink. A flush of cold water revealed a long slice across his palm. Mandy leaned against him and grabbed hold of his forearm to examine the cut. “That’s going to need sutures.”

Danny decided that having her soft body pressed to his was worth a few stitches, even if the sight of blood turned him into a wimp. “Sorry. I ruined your melon.”

Mandy gave him a short laugh of disbelief. “Doesn’t that hurt?”

Danny snagged a paper towel and applied pressure to the wound. “No. I don’t have much feeling in this hand.”

“Dr. Chandler should be in his office by now.” She picked up the phone and dialed. A few sentences later she hung up. “Go right over. Do you know where it is? Do you need me to drive you?”

“Yeah, I know where it is. It’s only a few blocks away. I think I can make it.”