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“It’s just that I think you need to work on your social skills a little. You’ve been on your own for too long.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It means that it wouldn’t kill you to try a little small talk while we eat.”
    “Small talk?” he repeated.  “We were talking just fine a few minutes ago.  I figured you’d prefer a little silence rather than me talking with my mouth full.”
    Emma let out a hearty laugh and Lucas couldn’t help but join her.  “You’re right; the silence is preferable to that.  Sorry.  Maybe it’s me that needs to work on my social skills.”
    “Your social skills are perfect,” he said before he even realized the words had slipped out.
    Emma nearly dropped her fork and her jaw.  What was she supposed to say to a compliment like that?  Did she thank him?  Compliment him back?  Hug him?  Hmm…that last one had merit but a quick glance at him from beneath her lashes told her that he was regretting his words.  With an inward sigh of resignation, she went back to her meal.
    “Everything is delicious, Lucas.  I appreciate you cooking for me.”
    “I couldn’t let you starve now could I?” he said, his tone more harsh than he intended and once again, he was regretting his words.  The look of devastation on Emma’s face nearly brought him to his knees.  Thinking quickly he simply added, “Then we’d really have a problem with my social skills.”
    The words were said lightly and had the desired effect; soon Emma was smiling and they returned to the comfortable silence while finishing their meal.  When they were done, Lucas cleaned up and noticed how sleepy Emma was looking.  Looking at the clock he saw that it was only nine o’clock but for all he knew, she was someone who went to bed early.
    “Listen, why don’t you head on in and take the bed; I’ll sleep on the couch.”
    “Oh, I couldn’t do that, Lucas.  You’ve done so much already and really, the couch is perfectly fine for me.”
    Lucas sighed wearily and hung his head.  “Emma, I would really appreciate it if you didn’t argue with me on everything. You are a guest in my home; an injured guest.  Please take the bed.  I normally fall asleep out here anyway.”
    Looking over her shoulder toward the bedroom, she sighed.  “I hate kicking you out of your own bed.”  That had all kinds of images coming to mind and she kept her face diverted so that Lucas couldn’t see the blush she was certain was there. 
    He was suddenly at her side guiding her into the bedroom.  They stopped next to the bed and Lucas went about folding the comforter and sheets back and arranging pillows and generally fussing wi th just about everything in sight.  Emma bit back a smile.
    “I’ll keep the fire going through the night and I’ll close the blinds here if you’d like,” he said gruffly, not willing to meet her eyes either.
    “Lucas,” Emma said softly and waited for him to stop moving around and look at her.  When he finally did, she spoke again.  “You can stop fussing with everything.  I’m not happy about making you sleep on the couch, but I appreciate your hospitality.”
    “You’re not making me do anything, Emma.  You’re injured and I want you to rest comfortably while you can.”
    Something in that statement struck her as odd and her face must have conveyed that point because Lucas stepped forward and explained.  “A head injury is a funny thing; you can feel fine one minute and then the next everything could be wrong.  I’ll be waking you up every couple of hours to make sure that you’re okay.”
    Emma gaped at him.  “Make sure I’m okay?” she parroted.  “How?”
    “Simple stuff; I’ll just ask you a couple of questions to make sure that your thinking is clear.”
    “My thinking is never clear when I’m asleep, Lucas.  Wouldn’t it just be better to let me get a full night’s sleep?”
    He shook his head.  “Afraid not; I’ve been through this