Page 15 of Courageous Yearnings

She was clinging to the simple little card like it was a lifejacket, putting it over her heart, whether she knew it or not. That was about the sweetest, most endearing thing he’d ever seen – and if he wasn’t already serious about all of this?

That simple movement would turn the tide for any hard-headed man – and he was already swimming in the other direction.

Several hours later, he heard a noise and cracked open an eye from the chair he’d been dozing in, only to see that Blythe was trying to get out of her hospital bed. Not moving, he opened both eyes and spoke from his location.

“Uh, what exactly do you think you are doing?”

“Don’t make me talk…” she said hoarsely.

“Paper and pen – got it – but get back in bed,” he began bluntly, getting up and walking to her side quickly, he met her eyes and saw the feelings of helplessness written in that dark gaze he had just been dreaming about. “What do you need? I’ll get it for you.”

“You can’t…”

“Blythe…”

She tried to jerk her arm out of his hands and made a noise as he accidentally pulled the tape on her IV line. He cursed softly, hesitated, and then simply moved, scooping her up in his arms.

“Where do you want to go… and heads up. You’ve still got your catheter inserted and taped to those sexy legs. You’ve got about ten or fifteen feet of tubing, so we aren’t going far.”

“Oh my gosh,” she chuckled hoarsely, staring at him in disbelief and dismay… only to cough again. Her entire body was shaking with the effort to dispel whatever was inside. She was sounding a little better. Well, an infinitesimally minute amount, but hey – an improvement was still an improvement. “D-Down…”

“Can I just say that I’m really frustrated my arm is on your back and under your knees, because I’m betting your hospital gown isn’t tied well…” he chuckled tenderly, waiting for her to lose her temper… except she looked away.

Her lower lip wobbled precariously as a tear grew and hovered at the corner of her eyes before his very own. He was experiencing the weirdest protective feelings within his soul, and the idea that he made her cry did not sit well in the slightest.

Leaning forward, he kissed her hair lightly.

“I was only teasing you and trying to make you smile. Your gown is tied just fine, and if it wasn’t – I promise that I will not look.”

“I’m sorry…” she whispered, wiping her eyes.

“Let’s get you back in bed…”

“My tailbone hurts,” she mumbled. “I’ve been sitting on it so much and lying on my back for so long that my tailbone is killing me.”

“Let me get you a pillow, and we’ll just prop you on your side.”

“You don’t have to be so nice to me…”

“And you don’t have to argue with me,” he countered, leaning close and brushing his nose against her hair near her ear. “You smell like brisket.”

And was rewarded with a hoarse laugh combined with a shy smile.

“That’s my girl,” he murmured, tucking her back into the hospital bed. He pulled a pillow out of the small closet nearby and saw her wary look as he carefully tucked it underneath her hip, making sure the sheet covered her.

Yeah, there were a few hard life lessons he’d learned over the years - being deathly ill, in a hospital for any reason, or completely plastered in a field at an outdoor rock concert wasn’t a good look for anyone, nor did it feel sexy in the slightest. If you felt like the contact between the grass and your fingertips was the only thing keeping you on the planet, it was hard to be ‘in the mood.’

“So let’s talk for a second,” he began and saw her give him a droll stare that only made him smile. “Well, if you insist – I’ll talk, and you can just listen.”

Blythe rolled her eyes and gave him a thumbs-up.

“They are probably going to discharge you in the next few days,” and he saw the instantaneous look of panic on her face, but he was two steps ahead of her. “And I’m assuming you have no place to go, so I’ve got an idea.”

“No,” she said hoarsely.

“Shhh,” he countered, smirking. “Let your voice rest, remember? I’m going to be at work for the next three days, and you are welcome to crash at my apartment. Now, fair warning… it’s a pigsty.”

And bless her – she laughed. It sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard, but it was so open, honest, and easy that it was probably the best thing he’d heard in a week.

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