Page 28 of Mountain Defender

“Probably,” he agrees. “But maybe we’ll stick with doggie treats for them, instead.” Now in the kitchen, he reaches into a cabinet and pulls out a box of gourmet dog biscuits. Spotting the treats, Toby and Elmore sit so quickly they make loud thunks on the floor. Gage hands a biscuit to each of them, then pats them both on the head.

“So,” he continues as he pulls an assortment of cheese and meat from the fridge. “Would you like to watch a movie? Maybe that docuseries you mentioned? I know the doctor said to go easy on screen time, but half an hour might be okay.”

“You don’t have to go home? Check on Dewey?”

Gage turns to look over at me. “He’s over at Enzo and Winter’s place. I asked Winter if she could watch him while I was staying at the hospital. Dewey gets along great with their dog, so it’s not a problem.”

He doesn’t seem bothered by it, but I still feel bad. “If you want to go home, I understand.”

“Doyouwant me to go home?”

“No.” Selfish or not, I feel much better with Gage here. “If you don’t mind, that is.”

“I don’t mind at all, Ror.” He picks up a wooden serving board practically overflowing with food and heads back to the living room. Halfway back, his leg buckles slightly, and he has to take a quick half-step to catch his balance.

“Are you okay?” I ask. “Did you?—”

“I’m fine.” It’s quick. Sharp. A scowl crosses his face but disappears almost as quickly. “Just wasn’t paying attention is all.”

His step steady again, Gage closes the distance to the couch and sets the platter on the coffee table. He fusses with it for a few seconds, rearranging the little jars of jam and stacks of cheese and rolled slices of prosciutto. A tiny muscle in his jaw twitches.

Worry twists my stomach. Did I do something wrong? Is Gage hurt? Upset? Angry?

I’m debating whether to ask when he sits back on the couch and glances over at me with a wry smile. “I guess this isn’t very nutritious, is it? Do you want me to go cut up some vegetables? I think I saw red peppers and cucumbers in the fridge.”

He doesn’tlookupset anymore. So I decide to tuck my worry aside and focus on more positive things. Like this incredible-looking charcuterie board sitting on the coffee table. And the very handsome and thoughtful man who just put it together for me.

“Who needs vegetables?” I ask with a light laugh. “This looks perfect.”

“What about a drink?” Gage asks. He starts to rise from the couch again. “There’s water, obviously, cranberry juice, almond milk—the unsweetened vanilla kind—or I could make you some tea…”

Without thinking, I place my hand on his leg to stop him. “No, I’m fine. Just?—”

But my brain splinters as the feel of his muscled thigh beneath my hand registers.

It shouldn’t throw me like this. After all, I’ve touched men before. Been intimate with them, though it’s been more years than I’d like to admit. But something about my hand on Gage’s leg, feeling the flex of his muscles and the heat searing into my skin…

It’s something completely different.

And for a second, as his gaze flickers over to me, I wonder if he feels the same.

I wonder if the darkening of his eyes is from desire and not concern.

I wonder if he feels the same spark as me.

Then Gage looks at my forehead, and it’s a cruel reminder of reality.

Is he looking at my bruise, now a kaleidoscope of reds and blues and purples, or at the scar I’ll never be rid of?

I whip my hand away from his leg and busy it making my own little cracker and cheese sandwich. “I’m okay for now,” I tell him. “Maybe after I eat, I’ll grab something.”

A few seconds go by before he answers. “Okay. But if you change your mind, I can get anything you want. Or if it’s not here, I can run to my place. Or Enzo and Winter’s. You haven’t seen their house yet. It’s on the other side of the property. I’m sure Winter will invite you over once you’re feeling a little better.”

Get it together. Stop obsessing over Gage.

With a smile that only feels a little strained, I reply, “That would be nice. I haven’t seen Winter since she came to adopt Rusty. I’d like to see how they’re doing.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll see Winter and Lark soon. They wanted to come over today, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be up to it.” Gage pops another mountainous cracker sandwich in his mouth, finishing it before he says, “So. Did you want to put anything on TV? Or would you prefer the quiet?”

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