Oh, man. This was bad.
She deposited the ax in the truck bed and rounded to the driver's side.
He startled when she opened the driver's door, straightening slowly.
"Scoot over," she said. "I'm driving."
It took some effort, but he maneuvered himself halfway between the center seat and the passenger seat. Getting all the way in the passenger seat seemed beyond him.
The fact that he didn't argue worried her.
He couldn't even hold his head up. It rested against the seatback, revealing his throat as she forced frozen hands to put the truck in gear.
"I think I have the flu," he mumbled.
Oh, really, Sherlock?
She bit back a smile. It wasn't funny, not really.
"I don't think I've ever felt this bad before," he said. "Shouldn't have come out here."
Worry swirled when she reached across with an ungloved hand and touched his jaw. Even in the chilled truck, he was burning up.
He jumped at her touch. "You're freezing."
The contrast from her cold fingers must’ve been a shock.
"Is there a doctor in town?" she asked. "I can drive you."
His head rolled. "I don't wanna go to town. Too many bad memories. Noah's town."
Noah again. Cord had shut down completely when Jilly had mentioned the mysterious Noah.
She tried again. "A doctor might be able to help you heal up faster."
"Nuh uh," he murmured, his eyes closing. "Just take me home."
They were passing the destroyed barn when he bolted upright. "Wait!"
She wasn't going to stop. Whatever he wanted would be there when he felt better. The mess wasn't going anywhere.
But he clutched her arm with one big hand. "Stop!"
Her body's memory reacted. She jerked away from him, her pulse racing.
And she hit the brakes. She was ready to flee the vehicle, but he'd already scooted to the passenger door and let himself out.
"Cord—"
He waved over his shoulder and slowly made his way to the demolished barn.
Stubborn, stupid man. That thing could fall over any second.
He disappeared inside the part of the structure still standing.
She put the truck in park. Stupid. Stupid.
She got out of the truck—left it running—and followed him.
