Page 65 of A Cowboy's Claim
“Heart Falls Family Care. Yes, the one that I run, and that Lexie works at. We get paid for services through the usual Alberta health care system, but there are still costs related to setting up a medical practice. There’s the usual time lag between output of costs and getting payment. Grandpa Nate has been footing that bill, which means he’s the head of the clinic, and we’re staff. I draw a salary, same as the other employees.”
Declan nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ve no idea how things like that run other than we’ve got a pretty damn good situation here in Alberta.” He tugged on a lock of hair falling past Sydney’s cheek. “What does this have to do with not having a leg to stand on?”
The worst part was not screwing up the courage to tell him this, but realizing it was only the first part of what she needed to share.
Enough. She’d been scared and holding out for so long that none of it mattered anymore. She needed a new path forward.
She took his hands in hers and held on tight. “My grandpa told me he would fund the clinic as long as I remained fully committed.”
“Damn easy. You’re one of the best doctors I’ve known in my entire life.”
“That’s sweet, and I appreciate it. But let me definefully committedthe way my grandpa does,” she warned, gripping Declan tighter even as she lost the courage to meet his gaze. She stared at their hands and noted her knuckles were turning white. “A doctor whose first and only responsibility is to the job. No boyfriend, no steady relationships, and definitely no getting married.” A sharp stab hit her in the rib cage as she realized another truth. “Hell, if he could’ve outlawed girlfriends, he probably would’ve.”
Oddly, under her, Declan began to quiver. She glanced up to find he was actually chuckling.
He shook his head. “How on earth could he think you being involved with somebody would mean you’d be less committed? That’s not who you are.”
She didn’t want to say it. Saying it made it real. But not saying it had left her choking on silence for too long.
“As much as I want to be with you... I can’t. Because choosing you means letting Grandpa cut off my funding. And if that happens? Everything I’ve built here, everything I’ve worked for, disappears.”
What Sydney was saying—theimportance of the situation—Declan knew exactly how much this meant. It was her job, her livelihood, and a steady paycheck for other people as well. Not to mention the huge difference she was making in the community.
He heard all those unspoken things, but one part struck him as straight up the biggest thing to focus on.
“You want to be with me?” he asked quietly.
She swallowed hard, pain twisting her features. “Part of me doesn’t know how I get up in the morning without you there. Another part of me wants to run away as far as I can because I don’t want to hurt you. And I’m really afraid I will.”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. She had no idea—none—how much he could take, as long as it meant she was still in his life.
Screw it. Declan pulled her fully into his arms and held her. Let his embrace become a barrier locking them together and locking out the world. The storm still raged against the roof. Rain smacked into the windowpanes like kids on a candy high let loose with drumsticks. But they were here, together, and that made everything right.
Sydney tucked her head under his chin and cuddled in. She stuck her hand under the soft flannel shirt she’d found for him, the front gaping open because he was a far bigger man than the owner of the cabin. Declan didn’t give a flying flip what he was wearing because Sydney was holding onto him, and it felt as if she would never let go.
Which wasn’t what her words had said.
Since he’d never been that good with words himself, he’d learned a lot about watching people’s conversations and the things they said with their bodies. Sydney was saying pretty damn clear she knew where she wanted to be.
In his arms.
He pressed another kiss to the top of her head.
Start with the important stuff. Don’t assume she knows.
Once again Sadie’s words echoed in his head. Yeah, and once again, she was right.
Declan didn’t change his grip, just tilted his head so his lips brushed Sydney’s ear. “I want to be with you.”
She stilled, her breathing deep and even, as if she were fighting to keep it that way.
“I think about you first thing when I get up in the morning and last thing at night before I go to bed.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “And in between I think about you and smile. Sometimes I think about you, and I get hot and bothered.”
A sharp exhale of amusement escaped her.
“Okay, yeah. A lot of the times when I think about you, I get hot and bothered. But it’s not just how much I enjoy being with you physically. I want tobewith you, Syd. I want us to be together, and I’m sorry that your grandpa’s rules mean this isn’t something you simply get to decide on your own. That’s not right.”
“It’s not, but I don’t know how to solve it.”
