Page 9 of The Heart of the Dragon

I sighed, hating that John was far too perceptive for his own good. At least when it came to me.

“I was just thinking is all.”

“If you think whatever you put in the damned stew has something to do with this, you need to tell me now.”

“It’s not the stew,” I repeated strongly. “It’s just organic herbs. Your joke about it being drugs isn’t funny anymore.”

He glared at me. “I wasn’t laughing,” he practically growled. "And for what it's worth, I never thought it was funny. It was a warning."

"I've never heard of anyone having a reaction like this to a few harmless herbs, but I guess someone could be allergic to it like they are peanuts or something."

"This isn't a food allergy. He's fucking passed out cold."

"The ingredients I use are supposed to be relaxing. They are organic with zero toxins. I grow them myself."

John shook his head, taking a deep breath while pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is a far cry from relaxed."

"Well, maybe you shouldn't have given him five bowls." I hissed it under my breath, but from the death glare he shot me, I could tell he heard me and didn't appreciate my sarcasm.

"We should probably take him to the hospital to be sure, though." He glanced around the room. "We'll have to close up early or call for an ambulance."

"You can't close. It's pouring outside. These people need shelter for the night."

He nodded. "You're right. An ambulance, then." He pulled his cellphone from his pants pocket, but before he could dial 911, I covered his hand with mine.

"You know he probably doesn't have insurance. An ambulance ride would cost a fortune. They may not even take him when they realize he's homeless."

"I don't have much choice. Like you said, these men need shelter for the night."

"I can do it." I blurted those four deadly words before I could think about it. If I took him to the hospital what wasIgoing to say? I think he had a reaction to an herbal concoction I'd given him without his consent? Thankfully, John didn't give me long to spiral down that rabbit hole.

"I couldn't ask you to do that. He's not your responsibility, he's mine."

I shrugged. "He's as much mine as yours I guess. You may run this place, but tonight we're in this together."

His brow pinched in concentration, and I swear if he didn't stop doing that his face was going to permanently take on that frown. "I'd rather call an ambulance. You can't handle him by yourself. He's too big."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, for heaven's sake. I'm perfectly capable of driving one man to the hospital. If you help me get him into my car, then I'm sure there will be someone in the emergency room who can help me get him inside. It's not freaking brain surgery."

A snicker sounded from one of the men nearby. I'd raised my voice more than intended.

"Fine," he finally relented. "You pull up your car to the front and I'll load him up."

"Oh shit."

"What?"

"I walked over tonight. My car is out at my trailer. But it won't take me long to get it if I run." Which was kind of laughable. Neither was I wearing anything suitable for running, but it was obvious that this fluffy body had never run a day in its life. Nor did it want to start now. "Or walk really fast," I amended before he could say anything more insulting than what currently ran through my head.

"Forget it. We don't have time. Take my car. I'm not going anywhere until tomorrow at least. You can bring it back later or in the morning. Or I can walk over to your place and get it easy enough if the weather is worse." He tossed his keys inmy direction before I could say anything, and I lunged to catch them, just managing to stay on my feet while I did.

"Good catch," he laughed. "Jeep’s out back if you want to go fetch it and bring it around. I'll meet you out front with the big guy."

"You sure? I could help get him out."

He took one look at all five feet two of me and laughed. "I've got this."

I wanted to argue. I might not like to run, but I did enjoy yoga, and he'd be surprised how agile and strong that made me. Sadly, there was no point. John was John, and this man whose name I didn't know, or anything else about him for that matter, was now depending on me for his safekeeping.

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