He opened one eye and discovered a bright shaft of noonday sun blazing through Marydyth’s bedroom window. It was hot and his skin was sticky with a sheen of sweat. The window was open and a wisp of a breeze carried fresh, warm air into the room. Flynn glanced around the room, searching the tangle of blankets as he tried to locate his drawers. Finally he spotted them, beneath the ruins of Marydyth’s nightgown. An involuntary smile curled the corners of his mouth. They had tasted a passion last night that was all the sweeter for their spoken truce. He eased himself out of bed, suddenly aware of the new ache in his ribs. A chuckle escaped him when he wondered if the doctor would consider hot sweaty lovemaking “taking it easy.” Flynn opened Marydyth’s bedroom door and peered out into the long hallway. He could see nothing. The dull thump grew louder and seemed to be coming nearer. “What in hell can that be?” he muttered as he followed the sound. After leaving the hallway and negotiating a series of turns and stairs, Flynn finally discovered the source of the noise.
