“My mom,” he started, voice wavering.
“She’s fine,” I assured him.“Waiting for you at home.We’ll take you to her soon, but first, let’s make sure you’re better.Want some water?You must be thirsty.”
I held the glass to his lips, supporting his head as he sipped.His hands shook, so I kept mine steady.“There you go.You’re doing great.”
When he finished, I brushed hair from his face.His eyes looked trusting now.“You know, you must feel cooped up.Want to sit by the fire?It’s warm, and I’ll tell you a story.Dragons?Space pirates?Something magical?”
He hesitated, then nodded shyly.“Dragons.”
“Perfect.”I grinned.“I know a great dragon story.”I helped him sit up, then wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and guided him to the couch.Logan silently handed me another blanket, which I draped over the boy’s lap.
I settled beside him and began, “Once upon a time, there was a brave little dragon named Frost.He was the smallest in his clan, but had the biggest heart.”
The boy watched, wide-eyed and captivated.Tension left his body bit by bit.By the time Frost saved his village from a fire giant, the boy smiled faintly, fear replaced by quiet wonder.
I caught Logan’s gaze.
He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, but the usual scowl on his face was absent.Instead, something softer filled his expression.For a moment, I glimpsed the man beneath the rough armor, someone who cared deeply but had learned to hide behind layers of sarcasm.His eyes, usually hard as flint, had softened.
Something warm and dangerous unfurled in my chest.This wasn’t just physical attraction anymore but something far more perilous, a connection forming despite my professional boundaries.Then he looked away, jaw clenching, and the moment vanished.
As I turned back to the boy, warmth spread through me.I might not have been a superhero, but I felt like I’d done something right.
Back in the truck, my phone buzzed.Dean’s name flashed on screen.I picked up the call.“Mountain man giving you trouble?”I rolled my eyes at his teasing.
Logan scowled, but I caught a faint smirk when I retorted, “Dr.Nosy, I can handle myself.”My voice was light, but my cheeks burned.I felt Logan watching me, as if trying to figure me out.
His smirk vanished when my call ended.He stared straight ahead, grip on the wheel too tight, too controlled.Jealousy?Territorial irritation?Either way, the air was thick with unspoken tension.
In town, Juniper met us outside the clinic.“Heard you two had quite the adventure.”
Logan grunted, but I grinned, adrenaline still humming in my veins.“Just another day in Angel Spring,” I teased.This town, these people, were starting to feel like mine.I wasn’t going to let them down.
Logan brushed past me to unload the boy.His whispered words caught me off guard.“You handle me just fine, Doc.”
The deep, rough timbre of his voice sent a shiver through my body.Half challenge, half something darker that curled hotly in my stomach.My pulse jumped like a startled rabbit, and for a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe.
Then he was walking toward the clinic doors like he hadn’t just set my nerves ablaze.
I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening around my medical bag strap.Handle him?If only he knew.One murmured sentence, and I was already unraveling.The worst part?I wanted him to do it again.The realization hit suddenly.I wasn’t just attracted to Logan Song.I was drawn to him in a way that defied logic or self-preservation.
I took a steadying breath, letting cool mountain air clear my head.I was here to solve a medical mystery and help this town, not fall for its brooding billionaire protector.No matter how his voice made my skin tingle or how safe I’d felt curled against him in the darkness.
Professional.I needed to stay professional.
But watching him walk away, all power and barely contained energy, I wondered if that was even possible anymore.
