“I know this is breaking your cardinal rule, but I haven’t seen you around for a few days and wanted to make sure everything was good with you.”

Meredith had barely broken the water when she heard Toby’s voice. Three days had passed since he performed his death act. She didn’t know the guy, but she panicked when she found him in the woods. She would’ve felt the same for anyone she found, mainly because at the time she thought it was her fault.

The sun was just coming over the hills around them. It wasn’t high enough that it made it difficult to see the man standing in nothing but shorts on the dock. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a four-inch scar on his chest just above his ribcage. It was the biggest one of a dozen or so marks marring his otherwise perfect torso. Meredith had never seen that many muscles before.

“I think we’ve established that you don’t like following rules. How’s your head?”

The underlying cause of the headaches had Meredith curious, but she wasn’t going to press for more information. He’d been kind enough not to pry too much into her situation, so she could return the favor.

“I’m pretty sure I haven’t passed out. Look, about that. I know you didn’t ask.”

He stopped for a second before continuing, running his fingers through his hair as he considered something. She was about five feet away from the dock, but it was clear he hesitated with whatever was on his mind.

“You don’t have to say anything. You came to check up on me. Caleb and I are fine. We’re always fine, so no need to worry.”

Toby cocked his head to the side. Meredith blinked for a mere moment and felt the water around her rush closer. She’d been treading in place since she became aware of her company. The new water flowing in her direction required her arms and legs to move faster as the water settled down.

“I thought we talked about the whole superhero cape thing. It’s impossible to always be fine, which is why I wanted to explain my headaches in case you find me suffering through one again.”

He stayed a few feet away. With his height, his feet touched the bottom so he didn’t have to work to keep his head above water.

“I don’t even pretend to have a cape, Toby. My life can be hard enough without one.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve already hinted that I know how that is. Look, I’m here because I have to take a break from the life I live where my head gets smashed multiple times a week into glass, ice, fists, and whatever other hard surfaces can be found. Apparently, enough concussions can really do a number on your head.”

There was so much revealed in those few sentences. Meredith wasn’t exactly sure how to reply, which was something new for her. She prided herself in knowing exactly what to say.

“Like I said, I know you didn’t ask. I just thought you should know why they were happening so you don’t think it’s drugs or something.”

Meredith knew so little information about Toby that she hadn’t even begin to speculate the cause. There were sure to be handfuls of medical conditions that could lead to a blackout. She’d never once let drugs or alcohol even cross her mind. That seemed odd once she thought about it.

“So you play hockey.”

It wasn’t a popular sport up in the mountains. Back in the city where she grew up, her high school had a team. She wasn’t a big fan by any means, but she’d seen a game or two. Even without watching, his clues were enough to tell her what he was talking about. The ice part was a pretty big giveaway. She couldn’t remember hearing about any vicious fights breaking out in curling.

“I think it’s probably safe to use the past tense of the word. You’ve seen how long I can be out and I have no way of predicting when it will happen.”

“Isn’t taking a swim a gamble?”

Meredith studied his face. She remembered the sweat on his forehead during dinner and didn’t see any signs of it.

“I’ve been staying pretty close to shore when I don’t have supervision. Aren’t you getting worried about being out here by yourself? I don’t mean that in a negative way. I just imagine it’s not going to be long before the baby’s here.”

Dark sunglasses covered Toby’s eyes so Meredith couldn’t get a look at whether his eyes matched the backpedaling his words were doing. She’d gotten slightly snippy about the subject before when he brought it up, so she figured he knew what her general reaction would be.

“This isn’t my first rodeo, Toby.”

“I know. I just worry about you out here by yourself. I’d be a dick if I didn’t.”

Shrugging, Meredith leaned back and kicked her legs out to put a little more distance between them. She only had a few minutes before she needed to head home. Caleb kept a strict schedule, something Meredith was grateful for.

Her morning swims had started shortly after Lawrence died. Before that, she hadn’t liked leaving Caleb home with his father. She didn’t think Lawrence would ever hurt their son, but she never felt comfortable leaving them alone.

“Hey now, even with you here I’m not planning on getting too far away from the dock. So why don’t you come back over here so we can finish our conversation?”

Meredith remained on her back and breathed deeply. Morning swims were her time to relax, and she needed just a few more minutes before she went back to wearing fifty different hats. She didn’t have a cape like Toby suggested, but life kept her busy.

“I don’t remember asking you to come here and start a conversation.”

The baby decided it was a great time to start a drumming session. Meredith loved feeling her child alive and moving around. She positioned her left hand on her stomach to feel the small kicks.

“I suppose that means I should get to my point a little quicker.”

When he didn’t immediately continue his thought, Meredith rolled so she could tread water again and face him. He hadn’t moved from his spot, and sadly his sunglasses were still covering any chance she had of reading what his eyes said that his words weren’t.

Shaking his head, Toby coughed and dove under the water. The man had a problem completing a conversation. She had to wonder if all the hits to the head he’d mentioned had anything to do with that.

“I know this is going to come out wrong, but it’s hard to think clearly when you’re rubbing your belly like that.”

Meredith wasn’t expecting the comment or the fact that Toby surfaced behind her. She quickly spun around to find herself a foot away from Toby. If either of them moved a little, her belly would’ve bumped into him.

“I don’t want you to think I’m hitting on you, because I did get the message loud and clear that you don’t need a man in your life.”

“Careful. I’m starting to worry Paul was right about that whole serial killer thing. You said you wanted to say something and I’m guessing it didn’t have anything to do with admiring my stomach.”

The way Toby’s left eyebrow arched while that side of his lips also curved up didn’t help ease her fake fear about him being a serial killer. The look made it clear he was a killer, but Meredith would define it as more of a lady killer.

“No, and as I expected, that came out all wrong. Look, you said the dance is tomorrow night and I’m required to make an appearance, so I wanted to make sure I’m dressed for the occasion. Judging by how your friend showed up for dinner the other night, I’m guessing what I consider proper attire is a little overdressed.”

Meredith couldn’t stop herself from laughing. The idea that Toby was worried what anyone from town would think about him was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. She covered her mouth, trying to keep from showing just how amusing the thought was.

“Honey, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb no matter what. If any of the women in town get a look at those muscles of yours, you won’t be going back to your home in the city without at least a couple stalkers.”

The flow of her words didn’t necessarily match the question, but she thought she’d better warn him of the simple facts. She added in the part about him going home to get his reaction more than anything. Him showing up in the middle of nowhere made a lot more sense with the news of his headaches. The quiet and seclusion were probably meant to cure his problems, but it was clear they weren’t working, so she didn’t expect he’d stay around too long.

 “I don’t know about that. You seem to be pretty immune to them.”

Toby’s jaw set in a way that almost felt like a dare. Meredith imagined how his eyes looked under the sunglasses. His brows remained stationary, so she could only guess about the heat of a challenge staring at her.

She wasn’t about to let him think anything contrary to his words, so she shrugged. Splashing water at him as a distraction, she kicked away from him and headed towards the dock. It was time for her to get home and the conversation was going a direction she preferred to stay away from. Meredith had already made the mistake of not telling him what an idiot he was for admiring her stomach.

“I don’t need a man in my life, so whether you look like a god or not doesn’t make a difference to me. I need to get back to Caleb, but if you’re serious about wanting some fashion advice for the dance, come over in a couple hours and I’ll help you out. We needed to go into town today anyway.”

Meredith still wasn’t sure why she’d commanded Toby go to the dance, or why she’d promised she’d go in order to get rid of Paul. She was so wrapped up in trying to figure out what was going on with her swimming companion that she hadn’t been thinking clearly. There was something about him, probably the wounded warrior vibe he had going on.

“Wait a second.”

Toby wasn’t right on her heels, but he was keeping up as she made it to the ladder and started pulling herself up. She didn’t hesitate to get out of the water as quickly as possible. Swimming was something she could still do somewhat gracefully. Any other movement was clumsy and she wanted Toby to see as little of it as possible.

“No can do. No matter how fascinating our conversations are, my son comes first.”

Meredith wished bringing a towel was part of her daily routine. When she didn’t have an audience, it was refreshing to walk home with the cool water still dripping from her body. Toby watching made her want to cover up. Even with his scars, his body was perfect and hers was anything but.

She was already on her way to the well-worn path back to her place when Toby’s warm hand touched her right shoulder. Warm wasn’t the right word. His touch felt like pure fire on her skin. To make sure he didn’t know that fact, she didn’t bother shrugging out of his touch or turning around. She stopped to listen to him, but that was all he’d get from her.

“I’m glad you agree that our conversations are fascinating, and you’ll get no arguments from me about your kids coming first. I just wanted to verify whether I’m walking over to your place or if you want me to drive us to town. I have no problem chauffeuring you guys around, but I’m not sure your stance on it.”

Meredith’s desire to leave made her response sharp and quick. It was a miracle based on how muddled her brain really felt.

“You can drive.”

She could’ve qualified it with as long as he felt like it, because she did wonder how his headaches interfered with his driving. She figured if he was offering, he didn’t think there’d be a problem, and for the time being, she was willing to trust his judgement. She hoped that trust didn’t come back to bite her.