The group took every advantage of the hot sunny weather over the next few days. Brenna learned that parasailing wasn't her thing, mostly because of the height but snorkeling definitely was. She'd thoroughly enjoyed the peace and tranquility under the surface of the sea.

All her previous watching of the Discovery Channel had never done it justice.

A local resort had thrown a beach party that had included a roast pig and dancing in the moonlight.

Still feeling off center and uncertain after her talk with Tammi and Becca, she'd tried her best to keep her distance from Mac without being too obvious but hadn't been able to bring herself to turn him down when he'd asked for a dance. In the tiki torch softened blackness of the night she'd even allowed herself to move closer into the warmth of his arms, just inches from touching.

She'd felt relieved when he's simply thanked her for the dance and walked away into the night. Truthfully she'd not known what she'd have done had he moved in closer. In her mind she'd seen him bring his face down and brush his lips across hers. The guilt had flooded her stomach along side extreme yearning and she'd quickly dashed the fantasy.

The days were much easier since she was distracted with all the sights and activity but at night her imagination turned against her and toyed with her loneliness. She'd found long walks along the beach helped when the restlessness overtook her.

With only 5 more days stretched out before them they'd decided to travel to the back side of the island where a local had described a secluded beach with several caves where the natives had painted the walls in reverence to their traditional faith.

Brenna had been packing the picnic basket for the trip when Derek had waltzed in looking for a snack. She'd thrown him an apple and only shown a little curiosity when he'd stayed to eat it, showing obvious signs of having something to say but not knowing how to approach it.

FInally the strange silence became too much and Brenna broke.

"So...... what other than an apple did you need?" she asked without looking up. She continued to spread spicy mustard on the bread before her.

"He's a good guy." Brenna continued her work and waited for him to continue. "Pete's known him forever and I've known him a few years. I started out worrying about you but now I'm more worried about him."

This caught her attention. She put down the butter knife and placed both hands on the counter.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you aren't ready or simply aren't interested just sit him down and tell him. That way he doesn't have to interpret. Guys suck at that." He shrugged uncomfortably.

"Has he talked to you about this? I was not aware there was anything I should be concerned about?"

"No! He hasn't said anything. Not to me anyway I've just seen chemistry between you two. I think he's interested but just doesn't know what to do with his interest." He chewed a second in thought and threw the core in the garbage in frustration. "It's none of my business. I'm sorry. I'm butting out, forget I said anything cuz I shouldn't have."

"No it's ok. I'll think about it."

Derek nodded once more, turned and swiftly exited the room. True to her word Brenna thought long and hard about what he'd said while she continued to assemble the food.

************************

Isabelle had bowed out at the last minute claiming a lunch date with one of the men from their night out.

Derek announced he and Tammi would be going out on a date that evening after their return and Brenna had convinced Pete that he and Becca should do the same. So the group set out to see the cove and enjoy the day before splitting up for the evening.

The beach turned out to be just as lovely as the man had promised with a long stretch of pure white sand encased in a stone alcove. The walls dipped into shallow caves here and there and inside pictures of animals, plants and depictions of worship were painted in bold strokes of vibrant color.

At one end of the cove was a jetty of sharp rocks that would only be accessible at low tide but provided an adventurous climb to those who chanced it.

After observing all the art Brenna set out on the slippery rocks of the jetty to get a good view of the entire cover from the sea viewpoint. It was slow going but she made it and took several pictures. The tide was starting to come in when she started back to shore so she dared move a little faster than her original trek to avoid being stranded.

Reego sat with Mac on the beach watching her progress with ears perked and whining softly. She was only a few feet from the shore when she suddenly went down with a yelp. Reego sprang into action and Mac followed when he didn't immediately see her getting back to her feet.

"Hey, you ok?" Mac asked as he picked his way across the slick rocks. Before he got there he saw the bright red blood frothing on the water now rushing over the rocks as the tide made its way in.

"Shit, no. My foot went in that hole and got sliced open on the rock there. It's bad. I'm bleeding like crazy."

Now by her side Mac could see exactly that.

"Here, let me get you to shore and we can wrap that up and get you to the ER. That is going to need stitches." Reego whined deep in his throat.

"I know buddy. I don't mean to worry you." Brenna reached out and pet the dog reassuringly. "I think you're right. It hurts like hell."

Mac carefully lifted Brenna and picked his way back to shore trying not to recreate the accident she'd encountered. When Tammi and Becca saw the gaping gash in Brenna's foot and the blood making large drops in the white sand they sprang into action.

Minutes later Brenna's left foot was wrapped in an old t-shirt and they were speeding across the water back to the municipal docks.

A fisherman on the docks pointed them toward an urgent care facility that wasn't too far. Mac carried her the whole way and deposited her ceremoniously on the surprised doctor's exam table.

Three hours and fourteen stitches later they finally made it home with a supply of bandages and a set of crutches.

Brenna was ensconced on the living room couch and Reego took up the space on the floor directly by her side.

Tammi had insisted they cancel their plans and stay home to nurse Brenna but she'd been vetoed by a very insistent Brenna who'd assured them she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself and whatever she couldn't do Mac could help her with.

Mac assured them he would take care of Brenna and showed them the stack of DVD's they'd already planned on watching and the bags of microwave popcorn he planned on ingesting.

Finally the two couples had been convinced and with a few looks over their shoulders set out into the night to make good on their planned dates.

Brenna snuggled into the corner of the couch happy that she hadn't ruined everyone's night with her injury. She worried that it would end up ruining the rest of the vacation. The others wouldn't want to leave her at home while they went out to have fun but it would be a lot harder to participate in the planned activities with her limited mobility and crutches.

Feeling like a burden she breathed a heavy sigh just as Mac entered from the kitchen with a large bowl of popcorn in his arms.

"Ok, which one first?" He placed the bowl on the coffee table and spread the three DVD's out in front of her for her to pick.

She pointed to the one on the far left.

"Inglorious Bastards, I'm surprised and impressed." He turned and placed the disc into the player before returning to the couch with the remote.

"Here, this is supposed to be elevated." Carefully he lifted her legs behind the knees and slid in under them then placed a throw pillow in his lap and deposited both her feet on top. "Now they are up."

Brenna held her tongue. After all the couch was only so long and they both had to sit on it so it didn't have to mean anything.

Mac hit play on the DVD and lowered the lights with the remote lighting system.

"Now this is luxury!" he joked as he settled back into the deep cushions.

Midway through the movies the ibuprofen Brenna had taken at the doctor's office began to wear off and her foot began to throb. She reached for the bottle on the coffee table.

Mac hit pause on the remote. "Starting to hurt?" Brenna just nodded. "It's about ice pack time too. Here lift up." She lifted her legs and he slid out and disappeared to the kitchen.

He returned with a cold pack wrapped in a dish towel and resumed his place. He put the cold pack on her injured foot and set the timer on his watch. "Twenty minutes on and forty off."

She smiled at his concern and meticulousness. He hit play and resumed the movie. Suddenly his warm hands were on her good foot. It startled her for a minute.

"Not trying to freak you out. I was just thinking the right foot might need some attention too." He gently kneaded the muscles on the bottom of her foot as he ran the fingers of his other hand over the arch.

"I have never in my life turned down a foot rub from anyone and I have no intention of starting now," she leaned into the cushions and closed her eyes savoring the wonderful sensation of the massage.

His hands were strong and slightly rough but gentle in their motion. She felt herself relaxing and drifting as they moved over her foot and calf.

The next thing she knew she was being gently lifted off the couch.

"Did I fall asleep?"

Mac chuckled quietly. "Ya. I do that to girls."

"I'm sorry. What time is it? Where are we going?"

"It is 2 a.m. and I am carrying you to your bed because the way you were slumped on the couch was sure to give you a nasty crick in the neck tomorrow morning." They were heading down the hall. She couldn't help but notice that he had been carrying her around most of the day now and didn't seem to struggle with it at all. He held her with one arm close to his body as he used the other to open her door.

She tried not to think about how much strength that took or how warm and bulging with muscles his arms really were. He sat her town on her bed.

"Is there anything I can get you before I head to my own room? Anything you need me to hand you so you don't have to gimp?"

She shook her head. She'd already changed into shorts and a tank top when they'd gotten home.

"Ok. Well if you need anything just yell or call my cell but I'm going to leave my door cracked so I should be able to hear you." He tipped his imaginary hat her way and backed out of the room.

She flopped back onto the bed. It had been one hell of a day. First the awkward conversation with Derek and then her foot. Then Mac had all but been her personal nurse for the rest of the day and he seemed to be enjoying it. She didn't know what to think or what to feel but she knew she couldn't deny the truth to herself anymore. She was definitely starting to feel something more than just physical attraction toward the man across the hall.