Page 47 of Waiting for the Rancher
Maverick’s gut tightened, and he braced himself for Sterling’s wrath—at the very least a cold voice demanding that he leave.
Sterling had told him to stay away from Hazel. Now here he was in a bedroom alone with her. He was wearing only his undergarments. And he’d kissed her while he’d been lying inSterling’s bed. Even if he didn’t say anything to Sterling, the fellow would figure out his transgressions. No doubt the guilt was written all over his face.
“What are you doing?” Sterling’s brows furrowed.
“Don’t worry.” Maverick gripped the edge of the bed and began to pull himself back up. “I’m leaving just as soon as I can manage it.”
“Leaving?” Sterling’s tone took on a scoffing note, and he began to cross to Maverick. “Really? You think so?”
“Yep.” Maverick hoisted himself up so that he was hunched over, then he grabbed the headboard for support. “I didn’t know Hazel brought me here.” He could hardly see straight through the wave of pain, and perspiration broke out on his forehead.
“She didn’t bring you here.” Sterling was at his side in the next instant and was slipping an arm around his waist and bracing him up. “I did.”
Maverick froze.
Sterling nudged him back toward the bed.
Maverick couldn’t get his feet to work and would have collapsed again if not for Sterling’s arm supporting him.
“If you don’t get back in bed, I’ll put you there myself.” Sterling’s voice came out a low growl, but it held a hint of humor.
What was going on?
Maverick didn’t resist as Sterling helped him climb into bed. He was in too much pain to talk and had to use every ounce of concentration to get his legs working again.
When he was finally lying down, he was breathing hard from the exertion, and he had to close his eyes to fight against the pain and exhaustion.
He could feel Sterling’s presence at the side of the bed and Hazel’s at the end. Both were watching him.
“I’ll go home tomorrow,” Maverick managed to say.
Sterling pressed against his shoulder as if to keep him in place. “No, you’ll stay here. It’s already been decided.”
Maverick pried his eyes open and found himself peering up at Sterling. “I can’t impose. Know you don’t want me here—”
“I want you here.” Sterling’s expression turned earnest. “I want you to stay until you can get around on your own again.”
Maverick shook his head. He hadn’t been paralyzed. Thank the good Lord for that. But he was gonna have a long road to recovery, and the last thing he wanted was Sterling feeling sorry for him. “I’ll be up and moving in no time.”
“Hazel’s sticking close to home so that she can help take care of you.”
Maverick didn’t dare look at her. “I’m not imposing on Hazel either.”
“You won’t be, Maverick,” she rushed to say. “Tanner said he’d stay on at the ranch and take care of things until you’re back.”
He was having a hard time believing Sterling was okay with the plans. Not after how angry his friend had been.
Sterling stuffed his hands into his pockets and trained his gaze on the dark window. “I owe you an apology, Maverick.”
As uncomfortable as Maverick was, Sterling’s words brought the tumult inside his chest and head to a standstill.
Sterling continued to stare out the window, his Adam’s apple bobbing up then down. “I was wrong to accuse you of ruining my wedding.”
“I should’ve been more careful—”
“It was all Violet’s fault.” Sterling’s gaze fell back on Maverick.
He wanted to deny Sterling’s statement, but it was the truth, and the heartache in his friend’s eyes told him that Sterling had finally accepted the truth too.
