The Winner Takes It All. Alison Roberts

kiss has to be longer than for make-up sex,” he said.

      “If it isn’t, I doubt I’ll press charges.”

      He grinned wryly. “That’s generous of you, Lavagirl.”

      Her lips tingled. “Only repaying your generosity, Dr. Gray.”

      His smile spread, matching the heat spreading inside her. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

      If she weren’t careful, he could overwhelm her. “But we shouldn’t make kisses a habit.”

      “You’re probably right about that,” Cullen agreed. “As long as we don’t argue, we should be fine.”

      Probably. Should be. He’d left a lot of wiggle room.

      That meant it would be up to her to make sure nothing more happened. And even though Sarah knew better, she was kind of hoping there would be more kisses.

      Cullen couldn’t believe he’d kissed Sarah.

      A momentary lapse? If that had been the case he would have kissed her with more passion. He’d been careful to keep things under control. Not easy with the images of make-up sex shuffling through his mind. But he had still enjoyed the kiss.

      Had he run away, as she said?

      Cullen had left a few times whenever he felt his control slipping or was too overwhelmed by her. But she had to be exaggerating the number of times, caught up in some revised history of their marriage to make her feel better, less guilty for bringing up the topic of divorce.

      He peeked into her room. She was sound asleep.

      Good. Cullen needed sleep himself. Caffeine was keeping him going at the moment. But he wanted to do something first. He entered his room, closed the door and made a call on his cell phone.

      “Hey, Doc,” OMSAR rescue leader Sean Hughes said. “How’s Sarah?”

      “Napping. She’s looking better.”

      “Good to hear.”

      Cullen adjusted the phone at his ear. “I’m signed up for your ready team tomorrow, but I want to stay home with Sarah.”

      “No worries,” Sean said. “We’ll get it covered.”

      “Thanks, and I’m sorry.”

      “No apology necessary. Do what you have to do.”

      That’s what Cullen was trying to do. Even though he wasn’t sure why he was doing it.

      A week later sunlight streamed through Sarah’s bedroom window. The snow must have stopped overnight. Not that good weather would change her agenda for the day. Physical therapy and a walk were as exciting as things got. She could work on her laptop for a few minutes, but headaches and her arm limited her productivity. Still, she forced herself out of bed and into the hallway.

      The scent of freshly brewed coffee and something baking filled the air. Sarah’s mouth watered at the tantalizing aromas. Her tummy grumbled.

      She wondered who would be staying with her today. The delicious smells wafting in the air told her it wasn’t Zoe Hughes, who was scheduled to be here. The former socialite was beautiful and friendly, but she couldn’t cook. Hannah had been here yesterday, so that left Carly or Leanne.

      Unless it was…Cullen.

      The thought gave Sarah an unexpected boost of energy. She quickened her pace.

      She hadn’t seen him in days. He’d been working his shifts and covering for other doctors. He’d explained he was doing this because of being up in Seattle with her, not to get away from her now. He’d even called to say hello, something he’d never done, which Sarah appreciated.

      But his absences reminded her of how she’d always been so desperate to see him when they lived together. She wasn’t desperate now. She was…eager. The logic behind her eagerness couldn’t readily be explained, but her frustration could be.

      Sarah’s slow recovery gave her insight into how magma must feel as it rose out of the earth’s mantle and moved into the crust. She wasn’t a mix of solids, melt and gases, but the physics behind making progress with her injuries was similar and taking way too much time.

      In the hallway, Sarah noticed someone in the kitchen. Someone with brown hair. Someone female with two braids.

      Not Cullen. Leanne.

      Sarah stumbled, but regained her balance before she fell. She’d experienced a lifetime of disappointments, everything from forgotten birthdays to having her marriage disintegrate. Not seeing Cullen was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

      Leanne greeted Sarah with a smile. “You’re up early today.”

      “I went to bed around eight.” Sarah hadn’t been that tired, but she’d wanted Hannah to go home and say good-night to her three children. Being tucked in meant a lot to kids. It would have meant a lot to Sarah if her parents had done that.

      Cullen must have come and gone while she was sleeping. If he’d returned home at all. A few times this week he hadn’t, and not knowing where he was bugged her.

      Sarah leaned against the breakfast bar. “I thought Zoe was going to be here.”

      “She had to run to Portland, so two of us are tag-teaming it.” Leanne picked up the coffeepot. “You’re stuck with me until lunchtime.”

      “You’re the one who’s stuck.” These women were so kind and friendly. “I appreciate what you’ve been doing for me.”

      “It’s our pleasure.” The sincerity in Leanne’s voice touched Sarah’s heart. “This is what friends do for each other.”

      Cullen was so lucky. Hood Hamlet was a very special place. A perfect place for a family. Not that she would ever have one…

      As Leanne poured coffee into two cups, light glimmered off her diamond engagement ring. The pretty paramedic had found her one true love at the fire station. A younger man who adored her, according to Zoe.

      Sarah felt a pang. Maybe happy-ever-afters were possible for some people. She hoped so for her new friend’s sake.

      “Sit.” Leanne placed the steaming mugs on the table. “I baked banana-nut muffins.”

      Sarah sat. “I like those as much as blueberry ones.”

      People in Hood Hamlet took care of each other and strangers like her, too. Home-cooked, healthy meals were either made or arrived each day. Though Cullen had been away so much, he’d ended up with leftovers. When he came home…

      Her throat tightened. Cullen hadn’t fallen right back into the same pattern of their marriage, but the longer he stayed away, the more she worried he might.

      Leanne returned to the table with a platter of muffins. “Dig in.”

      “Thanks.” Sarah bit into one. The flavors and warmth filled her mouth. “Delicious. I like the walnuts.”

      “Me, too.”

      She took another bite, but couldn’t stop thinking about Cullen. Thoughts of him more than made up for his physical absence. That added to her growing frustrations over her injuries and inability to get much work done. She tore off a piece of the muffin and shoved it into her mouth.

      Concern clouded Leanne’s brown eyes. “Taking it easy is hard for you.”

      Sarah stared into her coffee cup. “It’s downright aggravating.”

      “Cullen told me you’re improving every day.”

      Hurt sliced through her. He hadn’t told her that. She shouldn’t take it personally. She wasn’t his friend or a climbing and ski partner like Leanne.

      So what if he’d kissed Sarah? Or spent two whole days and night taking care of her before he’d returned to a marathon of shift