Chapter 23

Ten minutes later, by this time, they were finished eating, and he stood and cleared the table, rinsing off the dishes in the sink. Catherine stood and hobbled to the bed. She sat and looked at him, watching muscles tremble under his sweater as he hurried. She averted her eyes. Since when did he know how to wash dishes? And he was doing it right. Wow, she was that impressed.

"Does it seem a little warm in here to you?" she inquired as he turned and furrowed his eyebrow.

"No, actually, I am all right. But you'll be too warm with those sweats on," he answered. "Especially since the floor is warm and the heat from your swelling will warm your feet, you'll be warm. If your feet or face are hot, the rest of you will feel it. If you want, you can wear something of mine. I've got extra shirts in my pack until you cool off."

She contemplated it for a second. "Well—"

"It's alright." Shawn got up, pulled open his suitcase next to the couch, and fished out a large white shirt. He handed it t