“I don’t feel it,” I whispered, swaying as I reached out to take the items.
“Do you need a hand?”
To dress me? My eyes flew to his in irritation, but I saw his question was sincere and not made in perverse jest. My irritation fled. “No, I can manage.”
Barely. It took me twice as long as normal to don my underwear and pajamas. As if he knew I needed some modesty, Cavendish was kind enough to select a pair of light cotton pajama trousers and a thin T-shirt.
As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, he swept me into his arms like I was a bride. I gave a startled cry but wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “W-what are you doing?”
“You looked ready to pass out.” He carried me easily and then sat me down on the bed, facing the headboard.
“Um, I don’t usually sleep this way.”
“Where’s your hairbrush? And do you have hair ties?”
I pointed across the room to the old-fashioned dresser. I’d bought the cottage fully furnished and hadn’t had a chance to put my stamp on the décor yet. “On there.”
I watched Cavendish as he strode across the room to collect the items. When he returned, he sat down on the bed facing my back. I craned my neck to meet his gaze.
“Oh.” He stood up to pull a phone out of his back pocket and then sat again. “You’ve got several missed calls.”
Worry cut through me as I took my phone and typed in my passcode. Sure enough, there were texts from Jared from yesterday and four missed calls this morning. I jolted at the feel of the hairbrush gently detangling my hair, and I shot Cavendish another look of confusion.
His focus was on my hair, however, and the careful way he was brushing it.
Turning toward the headboard, I called my cousin while Theo Cavendish combed my hair. The sensation made me feel like a drowsy cat, but I pushed through.
“Sarah?” Jared answered, sounding frantic.
“Hi,” I croaked, my words nasally as I hurried to apologize. “I’m so sorry I didn’t pick up. I caught a cold and I’ve been in bed.”
“You sound awful. You sure you’re okay? I’ve been worried sick. I was seconds away from jumping in the car to come see you. Do you need me to?”
“No, no.” I didn’t want to drag Jared away from the farm. “I’m really okay. I’m just sorry I made you worry.”
“Don’t think on it. I’m glad you’re all right. You sure you don’t need me there?”
I thought of the man sitting behind me, taking care of me …So surreal. “I’m all right, I promise. Just tired.”
“I’ll let you go, then, but try to check in with me later.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
When I hung up, Cavendish murmured, “Why so many phone calls from your cousin?”
“He worries about me.”
“Aren’t you a grown woman?”
I bristled. “I am. But he’s more like an overprotective big brother than a cousin.”
“Sounds a little suffocating.”
“No, Mr. Cavendish, it sounds like family.”
The hair brushing stopped for a second, and I thought he might say something, but the bristles gently glided through my well-combed hair again. “I think considering the circumstances, it’s quite all right for you to call me Theo,” he suggested.
