Page 5 of My Devoted Mountain Man

"That explains a lot of your bruises. Let me check the wound to see if everything is progressing as it should."

Brock's bedside manner is amazing, and both Erika and I relax while he examines her. When he's done, he looks serious, and I start to worry.

"Can I go home soon, Brock?"

"I'm not sure. You just had surgery, and I think you're going to need help. If you can find someone to help you, I can let you go tomorrow. If not, I'd rather you stay a few days here at the clinic."

"I'll help her."

The words just jump out of my mouth without me realizing what I'm offering. How am I going to take care of her and keep a cool head? I suddenly realize that I'd do anything for her and for her well-being. Excitement fills me because I'll have her all to myself up on the mountain.

"Are you sure, Fletcher? I won't get in the way of your work?"

"It'll be an adventure."

"Then that's settled. I'll come by tomorrow and sign the discharge papers."

"Thank you, Brock."

When the doctor leaves, I reach for her hand again and kiss the back of it. It's an intimate gesture that shows how in awe I am of her, but I've stopped caring. I'm ready to confess my feelings, I just need to find the right time.

Chapter 4

Erika

When Fletcher told me he'd take care of me, I thought it would be at my home, but he's got other ideas. After I'm discharged from the clinic, he takes me home to pack a bag. My motion is limited because of my injury, so I have to go through the embarrassment of him going through my underwear drawer.

I'm a little withdrawn during our ride up the mountain, but then I remember my car.

"Fletcher, what happened to my car?"

"I had it towed, and it's at the mechanic's shop right now."

"Oh, thanks. I owe you so much already."

"Don't think of it like that. I care about you and I want to help you as much as possible."

"No more hiding, huh?"

I don't know why I say that, and I expect him to pull back, but he just smiles.

"I won't hide from you anymore, sweetheart. You're going to see so much of me you'll be trying to escape my evil clutches."

"There's not one evil bone in your body, Fletcher Connors."

"You don't know me that well."

"Then I'm glad we'll be spending this time together so I can get to know all about you."

He reaches over the console and gives my hand a gentle squeeze, and just that tiny show of affection makes my heart start beating faster. For the rest of the drive, I look at his handsome and rugged face: his salt and pepper beard and beautiful brown eyes.

I must acknowledge that, after working with this man for the past six months, I've developed feelings for him. It's why it hurt so much when he stopped coming to the gallery. Now there's this certainty that we should spend this time of healing together.

I'm glad he's not going to hide from me any longer, but I wish he'd open up about why he did that. He only hurt us, not that there is an us right now. When we get to his cabin, I realize it's not really the tiny, worn-down shack I imagined when I thought of his home.

I don't know why I had such a poor picture of what his home would be like, but this looks like a mansion to me.

"Fletcher, your house is amazing."

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