“We might have to put that to the test one of these days. There’s a fire pit on the far beach.”

An image of Shay and me wrapped in a blanket, roasting marshmallows filled my head. Her body curved against mine. I slammed that door shut. Not the place or the time. Especially since Shay was about to be naked, mere inches from me. Naked because she’d been hurt and needed to recover. That reminder sent any flicker of lust fleeing fast. “When you’re back to one hundred percent, I’ll get you some marshmallows.”

“I’ve got a few bumps and bruises. It’s not like I’ve been mortally wounded. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

“We’ll see.” I steered Shay towards the guest bed and helped her ease down to sit on the edge. “Stay here. I’ll run the bath. I think there are some Epsom salts in here.”

“They’re under the sink. And scalding hot, please.”

I grimaced as I ran the water at least ten degrees warmer than I would’ve liked, pouring in a healthy dose of the salts. I searched the medicine cabinet and came away with a bottle of Tylenol. Filling a glass with water, I headed back out into the guest room. “Take these.”

“Thank you. Sorry you’re stuck playing nursemaid.”

“If I would’ve known, I’d have picked up the sexy outfit.”

Shay grinned. “Now that would be a sight.”

She took the pills and then stood, already having toed off her boots and stripped out of her jacket and fleece. I took her elbow as we headed for the bathroom. “I’ll be right outside if you need me. Holler once you’ve pulled the curtain.”

“I’ll be fine. Promise. I’ve already got some of my sea legs back.”

“I’m still sitting with you.”

Shay huffed. “Pervert.”

“Troublemaker.”

She stuck out her tongue at me. “Takes one to know one.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Some of the tension that had overtaken my muscles since I’d first heard those raised voices eased as I headed out of the bathroom to give Shay some privacy. She was okay. Or she would be. But even as I thought that, I wondered if it was actually true. The image of her pale face and unfocused eyes filled my mind. She’d been lost in another world. And Sam had sent her there.

I cracked the knuckles of one hand and then the other. It was killing me that we couldn’t have him arrested. That I didn’t have a chance to put the fear of God into him, instead of him doing that to another woman.

“You can come in.”