Angie is writing something on her tablet when she notices us. She gives me a tight-lipped smile. “He still has a long way to go, but he’s breathing better.”
“That’s good, right?”
“It can be, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Small improvements are good, but only time will tell with an infection like this.” She stuffs her tablet into her bag and swings it over her shoulder. “I have to head out to Nelson’s. Call me if anything changes. In the meantime, try to get him to eat something. You can soak his feed to make it easier for him.”
“Thanks, Angie.”
She pats my shoulder. “Get some rest, Jaxon. Preferably in a real bed. You’re starting to smell like the horses.”
I glance at Callie for some support. She shrugs. “I wasn’t gonna say it but she’s not wrong.”
Chapter 33
Like I Do
? Till We Both Say - Nicotine Dolls
Jaxon
It’s beentwo weeks since I got the text, and Copper’s finally doing better. There’s still a very minute chance of a relapse, but Angie’s keeping a close eye on him, and I don’t feel the need to sleep in the barn anymore. I still check on him daily, but I get to spend my nights with my girl.
Rain pelts against my office window as I turn another page in my book, the same epic fantasy I was reading the night Callie and I met. I still remember every detail, down to the slight hitch in her voice when she finally introduced herself.
A loud clap of thunder reverberates through the house, settling deep in my bones. The sound wrenches me from my book and transports me into the past. I’m trapped in a memory, as vivid as the day it happened.
Another rumble shakes me to my core, and the lifeless form on the ground looks back at me with chilling awareness.But it’s not Ryan’s piercing gaze this time—it’s Callie. Her blue-green eyes stare back at me accusingly.
I choke on a sob. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”
Hands touch my rain-soaked skin, and a palm flattens against my cheek. “Look at me.”
It’s warm and familiar. I try to follow it, but the source eludes me.
Thundering hooves fade into the distance as I cradle Callie’s cold body in my arms. A strangled sound rumbles through me. I hear myself calling out for her, my voice rough and hoarse.
Her lifeless form evaporates to dust, and my hands shake as terror holds me in its vice-like grip. I plead with some unknown force to free me from my mind’s torment.
Soft lips touch my forehead. “Jax. Baby, I’m here. Come back to me.”
Callie?
I pinch my eyes shut, shaking myself out of the vision. Callie’s distraught face comes into focus beneath me. She’s on her knees at my feet with tears streaming down her face.
“Hey,” I murmur, cradling her jaw. “Don’t cry. I’m ok.”
She buries her face in my lap.
“Callie. My beautiful, strong Callie. Don’t cry for me.”
“You scared the shit out of me,” she chokes out the words between heaving breaths. “You were calling my name, but I couldn’t bring you out of it.”
I lift her into my arms and pull her against me, taking comfort in her presence. She holds my head against her chest, stroking her fingers through my hair. Her touch grounds me, and the horrifying images fade from my memory.
“What happened?” she whispers. “Was it Ryan again?”
“No. Not this time.”
“Me?”
