Page 239 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

“It damn well is!” he yelled, as he drove closer to the small figure running toward him up the steep hill. His breath caught in his chest, his throat constricting in fear as she swayed before slumping in a heap on the side of the road.

He drove over to her, barely managing to get his truck into park before leaping out, shouting her name.

“Reagan!” She didn’t move.

Alex landed beside her on his knees. Relief raced through him as he saw her chest rise and fall. Running his hands over her body gently, he searched for some sort of wound or injury to explain her sudden fall.

Finding nothing, Alex attempted to wake her, first calling her name, then patting her face gently. Worried about a head injury from where she’d fallen, he double-checked her head and neck before pulling her into his arms and carrying her to his truck. The only response he had was a few wheezing coughs, which had him frowning in worry.

Picking up his phone after doing a quick U-turn, he called the doctor and berated himself the entire time. He should have insisted she visit the doctor as soon as she’d arrived at the ranch. But she’d seemed to be doing better. Although, not good enough to go running.

Obviously, the woman had very little common sense. She couldn’t even follow orders properly. But that was all going to change.

Reggie woke with a groan as she was jostled about. She tried to fight her way into consciousness, but she felt sluggish, drained.

“Calm down, little one. You’re safe, I have you.” She knew that voice. Alex. Immediately, she relaxed, knowing Alex would take care of her. Breathing in deeply, she burrowed her face into a warm, hard chest.

“Alex,” she murmured, wheezing.

“Just keep your eyes closed and relax.”

Reagan thought that sounded like a great idea. For some reason she was completely exhausted.

“Alex. Good to, see you. Bring her in here.”

Reagan stiffened at the sound of another man’s voice and moved her head away from Alex’s chest so she could look around her.

“Alex?” she said in alarm as she noticed they were in a doctor’s office. Confused, she began to panic. Reggie had no recollection of how she’d gotten here.

“Shh, little one. Calm down.”

“Where am I?” She stared over at the strange man standing across from them as Alex laid her on the examination table. “How did I get here?”

Reggie found she was clinging to Alex, unwilling to let go of the one familiar element in the room.

Alex leaned over her, softly caressing the hair off her face. “It’s okay, darlin’. You had a fall, so I’ve brought you to the doctor.”

“A fall? How?” She coughed, groaning slightly as memory returned. “I was running when I felt dizzy. I really fainted?” She looked up at him in confusion.

“I don’t know. That’s why the doctor needs to examine you.” He nodded towards the kind looking older man standing a few feet away. “This is Doctor Harper. He used to take care of me as a kid. He’s going to give you a check over.”

Reggie grabbed his hand as he moved away. Ashamed at her fear, her clinginess, she still couldn’t bear for him to leave. “You’ll stay?”

He grinned at her slightly, his eyes concerned. “You couldn’t make me leave.”

By the time the doctor had examined her thoroughly, from listening to her chest to checking her reflexes, Reggie was absolutely exhausted. When he finally let her get off the examination table, she moved slowly to sit beside Alex. It felt as though she’d run a marathon.

“Well, Reagan, I’ll send away your blood samples for some tests tomorrow. But my initial diagnosis is bronchitis, and I think you’re probably low in iron as well. Do you run a lot?”

Reggie nodded.

“Hmm, not a good idea when you’re feeling sick, young lady. I’m going to write you a prescription for some antibiotics and iron tablets. You need plenty of rest, fluids, and good food.”

Reggie worriedly chewed at her lip as she realized that she didn’t have any money to pay for all of this.

“Don’t worry, Doc.” Alex spoke up grimly, pulling her attention back to the now. “We’ll be following your instructions to the letter. I thought she was doing better. But obviously I was wrong.”

We?

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