“Oh no!” Tilley cried dramatically, as if it were she who had injured herself. “And right before the wedding, too.”
I looked down at Jess, who shook her head. “It’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure it will.” I smiled at her. “But I’m still not letting you walk out of here on it. You could do more damage.”
Before she could argue with me again, I slid an arm behind her back and another under her knees and easily lifted her into my arms. She let out a muffled grunt of surprise, but I only tightened my grip.
“Preston,” she protested. “I can walk.” She wiggled in my arms, but I held her tight.
She froze.
“Preston, I don’t think this is?—”
“Stop pulling away,” I said quietly. “I am literally trained for this.”
To my surprise, she actually stopped resisting and settled into my arms. Tilley raced back to tell the others what happened so we could cut our hike short, and I took the moment to enjoy the feel of Jess against my chest.
I had no business enjoying it in any way, but I couldn’t help it. She felt good in my arms. Just like the night before on the dance floor, she fit against me in a way that felt far too natural.
And way too good.
As we walked, I shifted my grip, settling her more securely against my chest. She let out a breath that she likely hadn’t meant to.
I felt it anyway.
I felt it all the way through me.
“Oh no!” Becky ran toward us as we caught up with the rest of the group.
“I’m fine,” Jess insisted. “I just twisted it a little bit. I’m sure I can?—”
“We’ll head back.” I cut her off, not wanting to hear her object to my assistance again.
I carried her the rest of the way back to the trailhead without comment, focusing on my footing instead of the way her head rested just below my chin. Or the sound of her breathing. Or how easily she fit in my arms.
At the trailhead, the group gathered quickly, and I set Jess down reluctantly.
“We’ll regroup at the next meeting,” Chase said. “And discuss our findings and the recommendation we’re going to give the community.”
“It’ll have to be after the wedding,” Tilley said.
I didn’t miss the look she shot my way. The woman was quite possibly the nosiest person I’d ever met, but she was also very perceptive.Tooperceptive.
It’s what made her an exceptionally good gossip.
“I hope your ankle will be better by then, dear,” Tilley said to Jess. “I’d hate for you not to?—”
“It’ll be fine,” Jess said a little too quickly, her lips pressed into a tight smile.
She took a tentative step toward her car and winced with the effort.
Once more, I was at her side, my arm wrapped around her. “Let me help.”
This time, she didn’t protest as I guided her to her car. “Thank you,” she said gently. Her eyes were sad, or maybe it was the throbbing of her ankle. Either way, I much preferred to see the smile that lit up her face and made those cute freckles shine.
“I’ve always got you, Jess.” The words surprised me as soon as I said them. “No matter what.”
She turned to look at me. For a moment, I thought there was something else she wanted to say, but I stepped back before she could.
