Page 9 of Cherished By the Fearless Mountain Man

“Through your tissue.And if we don’t get this under control…” I don’t finish the sentence.I don’t need to scare him, even though he looks quite fearless for a man who just heard he’s got a nasty infection.

I take off a glove and press the back of my hand to his forehead.“You’re running a fever.How long have you been feeling warm?”

“Since this morning, I guess.Maybe last night,” he confesses.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Bother me?Brock, this is literally my job.This is exactly what you’re supposed to call me for.”

He runs a hand through his hair, looking miserable.“I hate being useless.I hate sitting around doing nothing while there’s work to be done.And I was feeling so much better.”

“It was kind of reckless.”

“I’m fine, Willa.Don’t worry about me,” he insists, but even as he says it, he makes one of those tortured faces Mrs.Reed told me about.

“No, you’re not.And I’m not comfortable leaving you alone tonight.”The words tumble out before I can second-guess them.“What if your fever spikes?What if you aggravate the surgical site even further and don’t realize it until it’s too late?”

His eyes widen slightly.“Willa, you don’t need to—”

“Yes, I do.Either I stay, or you go to the clinic and stay there for observation.Your choice.”

For a moment, we stare at each other.He might be stuck on the couch, but everything about him speaks to the fearless mountain man he’s rumored to be.Solid, unshakable.Stubborn.

“I have overnight supplies in my car,” I continue, trying to sound clinical.“It’s standard procedure for post-surgical patients who’ve overexerted themselves.”

It’s not entirely a lie.I do have supplies.Whether it’s standard procedure to camp out in a patient’s cabin is debatable.

“I don’t need babysitting.”

“I’m not here to babysit,” I reply.“I’m here to make sure you don’t end up unconscious on the floor.”

Finally, he sighs.“There are spare blankets in the hallway closet.”

“So you’re okay with me staying?”

He shrugs and gives me a small smile.“I don’t want to get in the way of standard procedure, Willa.The last thing I want is for you to get into trouble.”

“Great, it’s settled then.”I get up to retrieve the bag with extra supplies from my car.

Part of me is ecstatic about staying, but I also feel a twinge of guilt.I just lied to him about this being standard procedure, and I hate being dishonest.As soon as I’m back inside, I’m telling him the truth.He could still send me away.He could opt to go to the clinic after all.

It’ll be his choice, but at least it will be an honest one.Yeah, it’s for the best.So why am I afraid of his answer?

Chapter Five

Brock

I hear the front door shut, and the soft crunch of her footsteps on gravel fades before they circle back toward the cabin.

It only now hits me.She’s staying.Willa will be here in my cabin tonight.After the sun goes down.

Shit.The stabbing pain in my leg is nothing compared to the dread of spending an entire evening and night with her.Not because I don’t want her company, but because I don’t trust myself.I’ll have to keep myself from reaching out and caressing her hands.From leaning in and kissing her goddamn sexy lips.Will have to—

My thoughts are interrupted by the door opening again.Willa steps inside, clutching a medical bag like she’s prepping for a full-blown stakeout.She looks determined, but also guilty.

“I need to tell you something,” she says, chin raised high.

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