Page 37 of Home to the Cowboy

Of course, they’d talked about it. He’d even offered to fetch June and take her back. That was before he’d been with her, before he’d freaked out and realized he was not what she needed.

“You sell yourself short, coz.” Cooper who was sitting next to him, never raised his voice.

Dylan didn’t react; he just shoveled the food down his throat without tasting anything. Excusing himself, he ignored all the knowing looks, grabbed Daisy, and left.

He meant to go home but his truck kinda steered itself toward Becket’s house. June’s car wasn’t outside though, and frowning, he got out of his truck. “Stay,” he said to Daisy, and leaving the window open, he walked toward the front door.

Even before he reached the door, it opened and Ellie stepped out. Instead of smiling at him as she usually did, she frowned. “Dylan? What are you doing here?”

“I … um … is June here?”

“Look, Dylan, I like you, you’re part of our family, but the way you’re treating June just makes me so mad. You can’t kiss her one day and the next not talk to her. Who does that?”

“Is she here?”

“No, I’m on my way to see if she’s okay. She’d texted earlier to say she wasn’t feeling so well, she’d rather not go out tonight.”

Even before Ellie had finished talking, Dylan was sprinting back toward his truck. “I’ll go,” he called out over his shoulder.

“If you hurt her again, I’m going to kick your butt!” Ellie called out.

Dylan couldn’t stop the grin. Ellie was a tiny woman. The idea of her kicking his butt, however well-deserved, was funny.

“Wait!” Hurrying closer, Ellie put a key and a bag in his hand. “This is the front door key. I’m not sure whether she’s awake. And in the bag are all sorts of meds that would hopefully help her to feel better. Tylenol, for instance, if she has a fever. See what she looks like and phone Vivian if necessary. I’ll text you her number.”

“Thanks, Ellie.”

“Drive safely. And please remember you’re a great guy!”

*

June was lost in a forest of fairies. She was trying to catch them, but she was so thirsty. There was supposed to be a river nearby, so why couldn’t she hear the rush of water? Banging? Was that the noise she could hear? Maybe it was the headache. So where were the fairies? Why couldn’t she move? The banging became harder. Her eyes flew open.

She’d been dreaming. There was the banging again. Someone was knocking on her front door. Throwing the covers from her, she got up. The room tilted, she grabbed on to the side table and waited for the moving to cease.

The banging stopped. “June!” a voice called out as the front door opened.

Dylan? What was he doing here? Touching the walls to keep her from falling, she staggered toward the stairs. She met him and Daisy at the top of the stairs.

Body wriggling, Daisy rushed closer to her. She tried to bend down, but the world tipped again and she put out her hand quickly to steady herself.

“What …?” she tried to say, but her throat hurt and the sound that came out was only a hoarse whisper. Propping herself against the wall, she closed her eyes. “Why are you here?”

“Damn it, June, you’re sick.” Strong arms lifted her and cradled her against his chest, Dylan walked back to her room. “Why the hell didn’t you call or text me?”

“You don’t want me …” she murmured as her eyes closed again.

“Of course I want you, that has never been the issue.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “Sit here,” he said as he put her on a chair. “Let me put clean sheets on your bed.” Gently, he put her down. Sliding down, she tried to find a comfortable spot for her head. Daisy jumped on her lap.

Cupboards opened and closed. She should help him, but her headache was worse, and it was much easier to keep her eyes closed.

*

“Let her sleep,” Vivian said as Dylan opened the front door for her to leave. “And make sure she hydrates. Let me know how she’s doing, please?”

“Will do, thanks. And thank you for coming this time of day.”

“She’s a friend, of course I’ll help.” With a smile, she walked to her car.