“We can’t,” she blurted. “I can’t get involved with a patient.”

“Just tell me you’re not interested. Look at me, Penelope.” His voice was soft, but she flinched at the sound of her name. Finally, she looked at him. His dark eyes focused on her face with laser-like intensity.

“Tell me you don’t feel anything when you look at me, and I’ll never bring it up again,” Matt offered.

After an interminably long time in which she contemplated lying, she finally whispered, “I can’t.”

He didn’t argue, just leaned back against the wall and said, “So, I guess we’re at an impasse. For now.”

*   *   *   *   *

THAT SUNDAY WHEN Matt arrived at the Alexanders’ for dinner, he was braced for a round of questions. Showing up around all his friends wearing a sling was just asking for it, but when Ridley answered the door, she didn’t even bat an eyelash.

She merely said hello and directed him inside.

When Jackson had followed a few minutes later, he’d gone straight to the kitchen and emerged with trays of food. He’d then started talking about basketball. Before long he’d been engrossed in the conversation and had forgotten to be self-conscious.

After Jackson went back to the kitchen to help his mom bring out the rest of the food, Matt remembered that his friend didn’t even watch basketball that often. He was more into football. He’d successfully taken Matt’s mind off things though. It hit Matt then just how much he appreciated his friends.

Matt pulled out the paper plates and bowls and arranged them on one of the folding tables in the family room. He was glad now that he’d changed his mind and decided to wear the sling. He hadn’t even planned on wearing it at first, but a promise made was a promise kept in his book. Penny had said he’d be back in fighting shape if he could follow her rules and he wanted that more than anything.

A sudden round of feminine squeals erupted behind him. He turned to see one of Jackson’s singers, Kaylee Wilhelm, struggle through the door juggling a baby carrier and a bright pink baby bag. She was immediately surrounded by cooing, squealing women.

Trent met his eyes over the clamor of the girls and they shared a sympathetic look. His sister was right in the middle of the throng.

“Oh my gosh. Look at those tiny toes.” Mara glanced back at him. Matt just shook his head. He liked kids as much as the next guy, but he didn’t envy his friend right then. Mara had always loved babies and no doubt Trent was in for a load of baby talk when they got home.

Eli walked up next to him and handed him a beer. He observed the squalling pack of women with interest. “This is going to take a while.”

Matt took a swig of his beer and nodded in agreement. His sister and all the other women were cooing at the baby and fighting good-naturedly over whose turn it was to hold her next.

“Thanks again for letting me crash at your place. I would have been exhausted if I’d been driving back and forth all week. In fact, I wanted to talk to you about renting more long-term. A couple of months, maybe.”

The thought of spending months away from home suddenly didn’t seem so bad. Working with Penny had given him new hope for the future. If he could stay the course, there was a good chance he could get back everything he’d lost.

He thought of Penny, the way she’d so naturally given him the strong encouragement he’d clearly been lacking all along. She was going to get him where he needed to be. He could feel it.

Eli took a long sip of his beer. “No need. You’re one of my brother’s best friends. I know you aren’t going to trash the place. Just keep the key and use it as long as you need. I’m planning on staying down here through the summer. Maybe even for good.”

“Wow. Does everyone else know that?”

“Not yet, so I’d appreciate you keeping that quiet for a little while. I’ve missed being home and I’ve been thinking about coming back for a while.” Eli looked behind him at the cluster of people around Kay and the baby. His brothers stood off to the side, watching their wives indulgently. “I’ve got two nephews and a niece on the way. It’s finally time. The business is thriving and I can run things from anywhere at this point.”

“I understand. I’ve been thinking about making some changes myself,” Matt admitted.

It wasn’t often he talked about his parents, but Penny’s words had stayed with him. He didn’t need anyone to approve of the way he lived his life; he’d learned that a long time ago. However, Penny hadn’t sounded like she was just stroking his ego or placating him. She’d sounded like she was proud of him. As someone who’d known him when he was a kid, that counted for a hell of a lot.

Maybe he wasn’t as immune to needing validation as he liked to believe.

“Actually I wanted to mention to you that we have openings if you’re ever looking to get into a new line of work. Security is a natural fit for someone with your training.” Eli took another long swig of his beer, finishing it off.

“I might just take you up on the offer once I’m back to one hundred percent.”

“I can give you the names and numbers of some of my employees. A few of them are ex-Army. They can give you the no-bullshit lowdown on what it’s like to work for me if you’re interested.”

The offer made Matt smile. If he’d ever wondered if Eli was a stand-up kind of guy, he’d have his answer now.