Page 18 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

Emily groaned when he placed his cold hand on her forehead. She looked like she was enjoying the feel of his hand on her hot forehead. “What time is it?”

Cole looked at his wrist. “3:15.”

She closed her eyes and settled lower into the mattress. She probably hurt too much and was too tired to move.

“I don’t know for sure, maybe one or two hours ago.” Her voice got weaker as she slid into sleep.

Cole sat down on the bed facing her, watching her sleep and pushing the hair off her face. He was really uneasy, worried. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been around someone this sick. Cain, his son, was like his dad and never got sick. Oh, maybe a sniffle now and then but nothing this serious. He couldn’t remember what he needed to do. He grabbed his phone off his belt and called the main house. Daisy had two kids, she had to have gone through this a time or two.

Keeping his voice low, he explained the situation to Daisy. Right away she took control and informed him she’d be right there. He would never tell her how relieved he was that she would be there.

As he waited, he wasn’t going to snoop, but he did take the time to look around the cabin, hoping to learn anything about her. She was dressed right then in black, baggy, silk lounge pants and a short-sleeved t-shirt. Both were large on her small frame, although he could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra from the way her breasts swayed when she moved.

The picture on the bedside table of the two pretty young girls on either side of Emily beaming at the camera told him she adored her kids, and they were very important to her. She was neat. Nothing was out of place. Even sick, she tried to take care of others, worried about hurting his back or getting him sick. She had charmed everybody she came in contact with on the ranch. The fact that she’d charmed Maddie, Daisy’s daughter, spoke volumes. He’d been trying for eighteen months to get the girl to like him, and in hours, maybe minutes, she loved Emily.

Everything he learned about her made his feelings grow stronger, deeper. Cole wiped a shaky hand down his face before turning to stare down at her again. He didn’t know what he would do if she didn’t give them a chance. He’d never felt vulnerable before that he could remember, and he didn’t much like the feeling at all.

****

Daisy came to the bedroom door with a basket in her hands. She must not have made a sound because she froze at the picture of her uncle sitting beside Emily, cupping her face with his hand and tension apparent in the stiff lines of his body. Her heart jumped in her chest. Oh wow. He was already in love with her. Part of her was elated. Daisy never thought he’d find anyone to love. But the other part was scared that if he got hurt again, he might not ever try again and end up alone.

Worry skittered down her spine. What if Emily didn’t feel the same? No. Daisy saw the way they looked at each other. They both felt the strong pull. But what if Emily didn’t want or couldn’t take the chance at a relationship with Cole? She didn’t want to see him broken-hearted. After what his ex-wife, Lisa, had done to him, he hadn’t shown any interest in a relationship with a woman since. Oh, she knew once a month he’d drive into Cheyenne to visit a woman he knew. He had to have some way to relieve himself. He was a healthy male. But otherwise, he’d stayed clear of the single women that came there for vacation.

His head jerked around when she cleared her throat.

She smiled reassuringly at the relief on his face. “I’ve got everything you’ll need here.” Daisy frowned when she saw Emily. She looked awful. Daisy just hoped it was the garden-variety flu and nothing more serious.

“First, we need to wake her up and get her temperature.”

Cole scowled. “Isn’t there another way we can get her temp? She needs her rest, Daisy.”

Daisy smiled. “Yes, but I don’t think she would appreciate it.” She laughed when a deep blush crossed his face as he understood what she meant.

“Don’t worry. We’ll take her temp, then get her to take a few ibuprofen and drink some water. Keeping her hydrated is very important. Do you know if she vomited?”

Cole shook his head as he walked to the other side of the bed and sat on the mattress, before he pulled off his boots. He sat with his back against the headboard.

“I’m not sure.”

He pulled Emily into his lap, her head against his chest, making sure she was covered by the blanket.

“Sweetheart, wake up, just for a little bit. Daisy’s here to take your temperature.” He rubbed the back of his fingers down her cheek. “That’s a good girl.” He crooned when her eyes fluttered open.

Emily looked up at Cole, dazed and confused. “What’s going on?”

He smiled at her.

“You’re in your cabin. You’re sick, honey, and Daisy’s here to help us make you feel better.”

She didn’t look away from him, a frown pinching the skin between her eyebrows. “Why are you here?”

He cupped his hand around her neck, supporting her head, letting his thumb rub back and forth on her cheek.

“I’m here because I was worried about you, and I want to take care of you.”

“Here, Emily. Put this in your mouth for a minute.”

Emily jerked her head away from Daisy. “I’m fine. I just have a little cold. You guys have so many other things to do than worry about me.”