Jillian Chantal

This week’s word is pretty and I’m so enamored of it that I’ve used it twice in this snippet and sadly, twenty times in my 63,000 word manuscript. Looks like I may have to do a search and destroy mission. Every book has one. LOL.

Be sure to check out the other stories here.

“Oh, yes. I remember you saying that you had a bad leg. You just don’t often favor it so I forgot.”

“Do you want me to try to get it off myself?”

“No, no. I want to help. It’s the least I can do. I’ll be gentle.” Olivia took her time and slowly eased the boot first from his heel and then all the way off. She kept a close eye on his face while she worked. She didn’t want to hurt him anymore than she already had.

When it was off at last, she touched it softly. “I think we need to take the sock off. It could be constricting the blood flow.”

“I haven’t had a pedicure lately so don’t let my toes scare you.”

He was trying to joke with her but she could tell by the paleness of his face and the dark rings under his eyes that he really was about to pass out.

“Let’s get another dose of medicine down you.” She stood and refilled the glass. With a lot more then she’d previously given him. The size of his foot scared her. It was massive. Had he reinjured it? In the name of saving her?

Graham took the offered whiskey and as she removed the sock from his foot, he took another long drink.

When the foot was bare, it was all Olivia could do not to cry. How in the world did the man function with such a limb? How did he keep his secret?

“Looks pretty grim, doesn’t it?”

“I can’t believe you don’t have a limp all the time.” She sat on her bottom and gently rubbed his foot, hoping to bring some relief to him.

“I do when I don’t have on boots or shoes. If you notice, one is built up more then the other. It evens my stride.”

“That’s pretty clever.”

“I have to say, it wasn’t my idea but I’m grateful to the doctor who suggested it.”

“Were you injured in the Army?”

“Yeah. But I’ve adapted as you can tell.” He made a face. “Unless and until I over do it like I did today.”

“For me.”

He nodded. “Yes. For you. And I would do it again. Any time.”  He put his hand on the top of her head.