Boone bites back a smirk. Silas outright grins.
“Come on, cowboy,” Silas says, grabbing one of my arms. “Time for the big, strong men to carry you like a Victorian maiden.”
“Silas,” Boone growls.
“What? Tell me he doesn’t have maiden energy right now.”
I try to punch him. My fist gets about four inches before my body decides that’s enough work for one day.
They get me upright again, barely, and begin the slow, humiliating journey toward the house. My boots drag through the dirt. The sunlight stabs my eyes. My entire body is vibrating.
I lose track of time. One minute I’m in the barn. The next, I’m sinking onto the couch while Delaney kneels in front of me with a glass of water and two pills.
“Take these,” she says gently.
I obey. Mostly because she’s looking at me with worry so tight it scrapes against my chest.
“You scared us,” she murmurs.
I shake my head, instantly regretting the movement. “Didn’t mean to.”
“Yeah, people rarely mean to collapse in barns,” Silas says from the kitchen. “It’s more of a spontaneous activity.”
Delaney shoots him a warning glare. He lifts both hands. “Supporting role revoked. Got it.”
She turns back to me. “How long have you been feeling sick?”
“A day.”
“Caleb.”
“Or two.”
“Caleb.”
“Fine,” I mutter. “Three.”
She sighs, but it’s soft. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
Because I’m supposed to be reliable. Because this ranch runs smoother when I’m doing my part. Because I’ve already been enough of a mess lately without adding sick to the list.
“I didn’t want to bother you,” I say before I can stop myself.
Her expression fractures. “You… think you’d bother me?”
“That’s not… I just meant?—”
“Caleb.” She leans in closer. “You don’t bother me.”
My insides loosen. Too suddenly.
I close my eyes.
A cool hand slides along my forehead, into my hair. She brushes her fingers there slowly, soothingly. My muscles go boneless.
“You need rest,” she whispers.
“Can’t,” I mumble.
