Then she realized it wasn’t the guy.
Everything started to spin right before it all went black.
Brody looked around frantically before scooping her up in his arms.
Okay, now what?
Before he could second-guess himself, he stalked toward the back entrance to the house and said a thankful prayer that no one happened to be around. Taking the stairs two at a time, he got up to the third floor and raced into his room where he put her down on his bed before he started to have a full-on panic attack.
This was the baker–Charlene’s cousin–and he’d somehow managed to knock her out.
That was a new one–even for him.
Running to the en suite, he grabbed a couple of washcloths and wet them down before going back to the bed. He wiped the frosting from her face and arms and then placed a cool cloth on her forehead.
“Um…hey,” he said softly. “Can you hear me?” Then he cursed because he had no idea what to do in this situation. If she didn’t wake up soon, he was definitely going to have to call a doctor and then his whole family would be like an angry mob chasing him off the property because he’d broken the baker and ruined dessert.
Although…to be fair…he might not have been watching where he was jogging, but she wasn’t paying attention either so…
Great plan. Blame the unconscious woman…
She started to move and relief nearly brought him to his knees. One manicured hand slowly reached up to move the washcloth before her eyes opened. Brody stood back and held his breath.
She looked around in confusion before her gaze rested on him. “Where am I?”
Please don’t be amnesia…please don’t be amnesia…
“Um…you fainted outside so I brought you in here,” he explained. “I’m Brody, by the way.”
Slowly, she tried to sit up and he immediately rested his hand on her back to help her. “Thank you,” she whispered as she continued to look around.
Clearing his throat, he asked, “And you are…?”
“Oh, right. I’m Leanna Baker.”
He frowned because there was no way he heard her right. “You’re Leanna the baker?”
Nodding, she let out a soft laugh. “Yup, and also Leanna Baker as in…that’s my last name.”
With a curt nod, he said, “It’s nice to meet you.” Then he kept staring at her, waiting to see how injured she was.
“You know, I don’t think you’re supposed to move someone with a head injury.”
Brody knew his eyes went wide and he suddenly felt like the world’s biggest idiot. Of course you’re not supposed to move someone with a head injury! What the hell was he thinking? “Shit! I didn’t even think of that!” Moving closer, he knelt next to the bed. “I should call a doctor.” Another muttered curse. “This is all my fault and everyone’s going to kill me, but I still should have called a doctor.”
Standing, he began to pace, the entire time mumbling to himself about what an inconsiderate ass he was and how he might as well start packing because any minute now, he was going to get thrown out of the house.
Leanna’s hand on his shoulder made him jump. “Holy crap! You scared me!”
She laughed and it was a soft, lyrical sound. If he wasn’t so annoyed and freaked out right now, he might actually appreciate it.
“You’re kind of worrying me,” she said, staring hard at him. “I’m the one that’s hurt but it sounds like you need more help than I do.”
Was this woman for real? “I do not need help. Maybe you hit your head harder than you thought.”
She flinched slightly as she reached up and rubbed the back of her head and he felt like a big bully.
“Hey,” he said, softer this time. “I’m sorry.” Leading her back over to the bed, he helped her sit. “Do you want some ice or some ibuprofen or would you like me to call a doctor? Whatever it is you need, just let me know.”
The look she gave him told him she didn’t quite trust him, but she gave him a weak smile. “Honestly, the ice and ibuprofen would be great, but I really need to get back down to my van and the cupcakes. I’m down a tray now and I’m supposed to have them ready for the event team to set them up by three this afternoon. I was just getting set up and have to jump right in or they won’t be ready in time.”
When she stood back up, Brody wasn’t sure if he should let her or demand she rest a little longer.
“How about this,” he suggested when she went to walk away. “You go down to the trailer and I’ll go grab you the other stuff you need.”
“Um…”
“And then I’ll help you clean everything up and make more cupcakes,” he blurted out and had no idea where that came from.
Now it was Leanna’s eyes going wide. “That’s really not necessary, Brady.”
“It’s Brody, and yes, it is.”
Indecision was written all over her face. “What I really need is to wash up before I go and deal with all that cake, but I hate leaving it all out there for this long.” Then she paused. “How long was I out for?”
“Just a few minutes,” he assured her.
“Oh. Okay.” She reached up and fussed with her hair which was in a messy bun and Brody wasn’t sure if it looked like that before she fell or as a result of it.
“You’re more than welcome to use my bathroom to freshen up,” he offered. “Take your time and I’ll meet you downstairs, okay?”
She hesitated and bit her lip before she gave him a shy smile. “This house is so darn big and I have no idea where we are in it. Would you mind just waiting with me while I wash up? Please?”
“Sure. No problem.” Then he showed her where to go and closed the door behind him to give her some privacy. And while she was doing that, he quickly changed out of his jogging clothes and into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He would have loved to take a shower but he needed to make things right with Leanna to avoid the entire King family hunting him down.
His shower could wait.
Looking over a couple of business reports could wait.
And going anywhere near the party preparation side of the property could wait.
Well, with the exception of helping Leanna.
Which hopefully wouldn’t take too long.
Five minutes later, she emerged and smiled at him. “Thank you so much. I feel a lot better already.”
“Still want the ice and ibuprofen?”
She nodded. “Just to play it safe.” Pausing, she looked around his room. “Are we in the main house or is this some other part of the estate?”
Laughing softly, he led her from the bedroom, through his living room, and then out into the hall–thankful again that no one was around.
“It’s all part of the main house and I think my mother mentioned you’re going to be staying here too.”
She nodded again as they started down the stairs. “No one told me where I would be staying, but my bags are in the van and I guess I’ll bring them in later.”
Brody made a mental note to bring them in for her because there was only one other set of rooms in his wing on the third floor, so he knew that’s where she would be staying.