Alex sauntered over to the bed and gazed down at her with a strange expression.
"He's very special to you, isn't he?" His voice was gentle, and yet it seemed a little pensive.
She smiled up at him. "Of course. We grew up together." She tucked the sheet under her arms and rested her chin on her hands. "Now tell me what kind of class you're attending."
He tousled her hair. "Veterinary medicine, but don't tell Katie. I want it to be a surprise. I graduate next month, so I'll let her know with an invitation."
She caught her breath. "Veterinary medicine? How long have you been . . . So that was why you came up to watch the goats kid."
"Yeah," he responded dryly. "We don't have any goats down in Texas." He leaned a shoulder against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. "So, how are you feeling?"
So he had come up to entice Katie back. Apparently he had seen how futile it was, though. That would explain his silence. But why was he back now? She sighed.
"Too good to be in the hospital. The doctor says I can go home tomorrow, though. I can hardly wait."
He nodded, watching her skeptically. "So you can work yourself back in here again?"
She wrinkled her nose at him. "A little work is good for convalescence. I'm fine. I just caught a little cold, that's all."
The dark eyes studied her reflectively. "Sure, everyone winds up in the hospital when they catch a cold. It's routine."
He felt her forehead and she grinned up at him.
"I already have a doctor. I don't need a vet."
He traced her jaw line with a finger. "Don't you?" He smiled tenderly. "I can't get that kiss out of my mind."
Warmth flooded up her neck and her heart hammered against her ribs. So he was still interested - and yet . . . She wrinkled her nose at him.
"Sure. It kept you're mind so busy that you're hands didn't get a chance to write."
The dark eyes lost some of their softness. "I'm sorry, but I was busy."
She pushed his hand away. "So was I."
His eyes flashed, but his tone remained conversational. "That would explain the fact that you didn't write either, wouldn't it?"
She dropped back on the pillow and smiled up at him. "I hate it when you do that."