Page 38 of Home to the Cowboy

Dylan waited until she was driving away. Before he could close the door, another truck parked on the driveway. Cooper? Why was he here?

“Hi!” Cooper called out as he approached with a bag in his hand. “Hayden told me you’re looking after June. I realized you won’t have food and a bed for Daisy.”

“Thank you,” Dylan said. “I haven’t even thought about that.”

“Of course not, you’ve been with June. I want to see her. I won’t take long.”

Frowning, Dylan stared at his cousin. “Why?”

“Maybe I can help.”

Nodding, Dylan closed the door behind his cousin. Although he’d of course heard about Cooper’s ability to heal animals and people, he’d never seen it firsthand. Weird, but living with the rest of his cousins over the last few months, he’d grown accustomed to their idiosyncrasies. He’d probably never be comfortable with it, but it seemed to come so naturally for them.

He accompanied Cooper to June’s room and waited in the doorway. Daisy was on the bed and when she saw him, she jumped down. She was hungry. He knew the look by now.

“Go feed her, I won’t be long.” Cooper was sitting next to June on the bed, his hands on her forehead.

With Daisy at his heels Dylan left reluctantly. Daisy was excited though and rushed down the stairs.

“There’s food for you, don’t worry,” he said as he picked up the bag Cooper had brought and walked to the kitchen. With one ear listening for the sound of Cooper coming down the stairs, he quickly gave Daisy her food. Trust Cooper to also bring along two bowls for the dog—one for food and one for water.

As Daisy just about attacked her food, Cooper joined them in the kitchen.

“Is June okay?”

“She should be fine by tomorrow,” Cooper said. “Let her rest and give her something to eat when she’s awake. Make sure she drinks water. She’s hurting. I’ll be around tomorrow to help on the ranch. Stay here and make sure she gets better.”

As he turned around, Dylan grabbed his arm. “Is she hurting because she’s sick or …?”

With half a smile, Dylan turned away. “Mind, body, and soul are all connected. If one hurts, the rest suffer as well. Let us know how she is by tomorrow.”

Dylan followed him to the front door. “Thanks, Coop.”

“We’re family, coz.” With a wave, he left.

As Dylan closed the front door behind him, he shook his head. He and Carson had always had each other’s backs, but their relatives took the idea to a whole different level.

He was privileged to be deemed worthy of their help and support. Deep in thought, he ran up the stairs to check on June.

Chapter Thirteen

Fairies were laughing and chatting and flying all around her. June wanted to touch them, but every time she came close to one, wings fluttered, and the tiny creature would disappear. Enchanted, she followed the flutter as they swung from the branches of the trees and played under the leaves.

Gradually the soft laughter and chatter of the fairies faded away and she became aware of other noises. Cars honking somewhere, birds chirping, and someone snoring. Snoring? Her eyes flew open to find Daisy standing next to her bed, looking at her.

For a stunned moment she lay perfectly still. The fairies were obviously only a dream, but was she still dreaming? An arm was cuddling her close to a warm body. Dylan. Without looking, she knew it was him. His familiar masculine scent filled the air around them.

When Daisy noticed her eyes were opened, she wiggled closer, licking June’s face. Ever so slowly, June lifted her arm and scooting to the edge of the bed, picked up Daisy and got up.

Frowning she looked around her. What happened here last night? On her bedside table were an assortment of flu medicine, none of which she had bought. She remembered canceling dinner with Ellie and Becket because she felt so awful, but then …? Oh, yes, Dylan had arrived. He’d been the one who had helped her into bed and he’d stayed, given her water a few times. And hadn’t Cooper been here as well? She vaguely remembered seeing him.

Her eyes roamed over a big body on her bed. He’d taken off his shirt, his boots were on the floor, and he was lying on top of the bedding in his jeans. And, oh, my … She sighed. Those abs. Swallowing a groan she turned away.

She was still wearing the comfortable shorts and top she’d put on before her nap yesterday afternoon. Touching her head, she headed toward the kitchen, Daisy excitedly jumping beside her. Thank goodness, the headache was gone and her throat wasn’t sore anymore. She really was feeling much better. Whatever was in those meds had done the trick.

“I don’t have food for you, but let’s see what we can find.” She smiled as she walked down the stairs.

In the kitchen was another surprise—food and two bowls for Daisy. “Well, Daisy girl, either the fairies I dreamed about were real or Dylan left sometime during the night to fetch your things.”