“You’ve gotten awfully demanding since you got hit on the head.” He carried her up the walk. “But I guess I have to indulge you.”

Before he could reach for the door, it swung open and Maggie rushed out. “There you are. It seems we’ve been waiting forever. How are you?”

“I’m being pampered. And if all of you don’t watch out, I’ll get used to it.”

“Bring her inside, Gray. Is there anything in the car she needs?”

“About an acre of flowers.”

“I’ll fetch them.” She dashed off as the Carstairs hurried into the hall from the parlor.

“Oh, Brianna, you poor, dear thing. We’ve been so worried. Johnny and I barely slept a wink thinking of you lying in the hospital that way. Such depressing places, hospitals. I can’t think why anyone would choose to work in one, can you? Do you want some tea, a nice cool cloth? Anything at all?”

“No, thank you, Iris,” Brianna managed when she could get a word in.

“I’m sorry you were worried. It was only a little thing, really.”

“Nonsense. A car accident, a night in the hospital. A concussion. Oh, does your poor head ache?”

It was beginning to.

“We’re glad you’re home again,” Carstairs put in, and patted his wife’s hand to calm her.

“I hope Mrs. O’Malley made you comfortable.”

“She’s a treasure, I assure you.”

“Where do you want these flowers, Brie?” Maggie asked from behind a forest of posies.

“Oh, well—”

“I’ll put them in your room,” she decided for herself. “Rogan’ll be up to see you as soon as Liam wakes from his nap. Oh, and you’ve had calls from the whole village, and enough baked goods sent over to feed an army for a week.”

“There’s our girl.” Drying her hands on a towel, Lottie bustled out from the kitchen.

“Lottie. I didn’t realize you were here.”

“Of course I am. I’m going to see you settled and cared for. Grayson, take her right on into her room. She needs rest.”

“Oh, but no. Grayson, put me down.”

Gray only shifted his grip. “You’re outnumbered. And if you don’t behave, I won’t read you the rest of the book.”

“This is nonsense.” Over her protests Brianna found herself in her room being laid on the bed. “I might as well be back in the hospital.”

“Now, don’t make a fuss. I’m going to make you a nice cup of tea." Lottie began arranging pillows, smoothing sheets. “Then you’ll nap. You’re going to be flooded with visitors before long and you need your rest.”

“At least let me have my knitting.”

“We’ll see about that later. Gray, you can keep her company. See that she stays put.”

Brianna poked out a lip, folded her arms. “Go away,” she told him. “I don’t need you about if you won’t stand up for me.”

“Well, well, the truth comes out.” Eyeing her, he leaned comfortably on the doorjamb. “You’re quite a shrew, aren’t you?”

“A shrew, is it? I complain at being bullied and ordered about and that makes me a shrew?”

“You’re pouting and complaining about being cared for and looked after. That makes you a shrew.”

She opened her mouth, closed it again. “Well, then, I am.”

“You need your pills.” He took the prescription bottle out of his pocket, then walked into the bathroom to fill a glass with water.

“They make me groggy,” she muttered when he came back, holding out the capsule.

“Do you want me to have to pinch your nose to get you to open up and swallow.”

The notion of that humiliation had her snatching the pill, then the glass. “There. Happy?”

“I’ll be happy when you stop hurting.”

The fight went out of her. “I’m sorry, Gray. I’m behaving so badly.”

“You’re in pain.” He sat on the side of the bed, took her hand. “I’ve been battered a couple of times myself. The first day’s a misery. The second’s hell.”

She sighed. “I thought it would be better, and I’m angry it’s not. I don’t mean to snap at you.”

“Here’s your tea now, lamb.” Lottie came in and balanced the saucer in Brianna’s hands. “And let’s get these shoes off so you’ll be comfortable.”

“Lottie. Thank you for being here.”

“Oh, you don’t have to thank me for that. Mrs. O’Malley and I’ll keep things running around here till you’re feeling yourself again. Don’t you fret over a thing.” She spread a light blanket over Brianna’s legs. “Grayson, you see that she rests now, won’t you?”

“You can count on it.” On impulse he rose to kiss Lottie’s cheek. “You’re a sweetheart, Lottie Sullivan.”

“Oh, go on.” Flushing with pleasure, she bustled back into the kitchen.

“So are you, Grayson Thane,” Brianna murmured. “A sweetheart.”

“Oh, go on,” he said. He tilted his head. “Can she cook?”

She laughed as he’d hoped she would. “A fine cook is our Lottie, and it wouldn’t take much to charm a cobbler from her. If you’ve a taste for one.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Maggie brought in the book.” He picked it up from where Maggie had set it on Brianna’s night table. “Are you up for another chapter of blistering medieval romance?”

“I am.”

“You fell asleep while I was reading last night,” he said as he paged through the book. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“When he told her he loved her.”

“Well, that certainly narrows it down.”

“The first time.” She patted the bed, wanting him to sit beside her again. “No one forgets the first time they hear it.” His fingers fumbled on the pages, stilled, and he said nothing. Understanding, Brianna touched his arm. “You mustn’t let it worry you, Grayson. What I feel for you isn’t meant to worry you.”

It did. Of course it did. But there was something else, and he thought he could give her that, at least. “It humbles me, Brianna.” He lifted his gaze, those golden-brown eyes uncertain. “And it staggers me.”