Stroke of Luck

Debbie Hunt, interior designer and owner of her own successful business, has always been independent and ambitious. Jake Dover, just out of the Army, plans to relax and enjoy himself before trying to find a civilian job that won't bore him to tears. Jake's aunt twists his arm to get him to go to work as Debbie's caretaker. Jake puts his plans on hold to care for Debbie, who is not pleased about having to depend on someone else for the first time in her life. She can't understand someone like Jake, who seems to have no goals but who is able to boss her around to ensure she follows doctor's orders. Will the job be the temporary stop-gap both anticipate? Or will Debbie's stroke be a stroke of luck for both of them?

Debbie Hunt lay in her bed in the San Antonio Rehabilitation Center. She struggled to conquer self-pity. Her recovery from the stroke depended on it. Her spirits brightened when she looked around the room to see all the flowers, plants, cookie bouquets, and other gifts she'd received from her family, friends and employees. Then she brightened even more when she heard her roommate's voice at the door.

"I'm so glad you're back from dinner," Molly Dover said as she rolled her wheelchair into the room. A huge smile lit her face as she continued. "My nephew Jake Dover will be here any minute to see me. He just got out of the Army. I'm so excited. It's been two years since his last visit to San Antonio."
"Don't you want me to leave so you can have a private visit?"

"Of course not. He's home for good now, so we'll have plenty of time to visit. I want you to meet him." Molly's eyes twinkled. "He's thirty, close to your age, and single like you."

Debbie decided she should sit up and make herself presentable for Molly's company. She enjoyed visiting with Molly's family since her own family couldn't visit her in the rehabilitation center. Besides, she wanted to see this man. Molly's husband and all his relatives who'd visited were attractive, both in appearance and personality.

She rang for an aide to help her out of bed and into her wheelchair. In the bathroom, she brushed her short brown hair. She gave no thought to a fashionable hairstyle or clothes and certainly none to makeup. I look like a pirate, she thought, as she glanced in the mirror and saw the black patch over her right eye. Her eyes wouldn't focus, so she wore the patch to see a single image instead of two, three, or four.

What had she been thinking? What difference did it make what Molly's nephew looked like? He wouldn't be interested in her the way she looked now.
When Debbie rolled her wheelchair back into the bedroom, she found Molly's nephew already there. Although he had the pleasant smile characteristic of the Dovers, he didn't have their athletic build. In fact, he was so short he looked like a teenager waiting for his big growth spurt.

Before Molly could make the introductions, he stepped forward with his right hand outstretched. "Hi, I'm Jake. You must be Debbie, Molly's favorite roommate."

"Since I'm her only roommate, I'm glad to hear I'm her favorite," Debbie said as she smiled back.

The mischief in Jake's hazel eyes and the unruliness of his blond hair added to the boyish look. Debbie liked his outgoing and friendly personality, which reminded her of Molly.

Debbie hesitated to take his hand-the devastating stroke she'd suffered two weeks before had left her with limited use of her right side. Her hesitancy didn't deter Jake. He lifted her hand from the arm of the wheelchair, took it in his right hand, and covered it with his left. He held it briefly before gently laying it back on the arm of the chair. She couldn't move her hand, but she could feel the warmth of Jake's touch. If she'd felt like a whole woman, the touch would have excited her.