His smile flashes the whites of his teeth. “So, pretty good then?”
Wait, was that a compliment?
“You’re joking,” I deadpan. “I’m like death re-warmed. But I wanted to give this back and thank you again for helping me that night. I’m sorry it took so long.”
When I hold out his coat, he tosses it over his broad shoulder with a grin. “Does this mean we’re sharing cooties now?”
That makes me snort. “You wish.”
His thumb snares the buckle of his belt as he cocks his hips. “Well, you did crawl out of your deathbed to see me.”
“The vet is on her way out to get Misty’s stitches out, otherwise I’d still be there.” I gesture to the SUV pulling down the lane. “In fact, there she is.”
Oliver tosses his Carhartt onto a pile of lumber and tugs off his toolbelt. “I’ll help.”
I hold up my palm to stop him. “No, I got it.”
“Don’t argue,” he grumbles. “You just got done telling me you’re still sick. The last thing you need to do is be in a dusty barn.”
“I didn’t come out here for a pity-party.” My lower lip juts. “I need to get up and be a human again.”
His dark eyes drift to my mouth, then his jaw clenches. “Just let me, okay? I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to.” Then his cheek raises. “You can supervise, how’s that?”
I’m exhausted just walking across the parking lot.
“Fine. I don’t have the energy.” I hate feeling like he won, but a tiny part of me is grateful that he’ll be there.
“You know you don’t have to do it all?” he asks quietly as we head towards the horse pens.
He matches my pace, not trying to hurry me.
I’ve been limping for years now. I’m used to people out walking me.
It’s kind of nice that he’s doing it without having to say anything.
“You ever feel like you have something to prove, but you don’t know what it is, so you keep on pushing?” I’m not sure why I’m opening up?
Too tired to keep up a wall, I guess.
“Yea. Except I know what I want. The hardest part for me is being patient about it.” His voice sounds pained.
I wonder what it is?
“Well, don’t give up, I’m sure it’s worth it.” I wave to the vet as she climbs out of her car.
“It is,” he mutters softly.
Now I’m really curious.
Dr. Ray smiles at us. “I’m so glad you brought someone big and strong to help.” She squints up at Oliver. “Sometimes they don’t like having the stitches pulled.”
For some reason, my stomach sours seeing her eyes look him up and down.
Why would I care?
What isthatabout? I’m taken.
But when I glance at him, he’s watching me.
