Page 133 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

He’d never in his life felt the kind of relief he had when she smiled at him and said, “Hi, Ty.” He had her back in his arms, and she was still breathing. The last couple of days had been torture, not knowing what was going on with her brain, but this morning, Trip had reassured him – and the others – that she was going to be fine. It’d take time, Trip had laid out a concussion protocol that he knew Shay wasn’t going to be happy about – it involved far too much rest. But since her arm was in a cast and she had braces for her knee and her ankle, he figured she wouldn’t be able to get into too much trouble.

He didn’t plan on letting her out of his sight, anyway.

He turned at the sound of a knock on the door. It opened, and Travis popped his head around.

“She still sleeping?”

He nodded. “Come on in.”

“Where is everyone?”

“They went to get some food.”

“You need to eat, too, squirt.”

“Cash is going to bring me something back.”

“Okay. I just wanted to check in. See if you need anything.”

“We’re good, thanks.”

“Has Trip said when you can bring her home yet?”

“He wants to keep an eye on her for another day or two.”

“Good. I’m not planning on going back with Cash when he leaves. I’m waiting around to close the deal on the Woodfield place, so consider me at your beck and call, okay?”

“Thanks, Trav.”

There was another knock on the door, and this time Kolby came in. He handed Ty a bag. “Callie sent you some lunch.”

He smiled. “Tell her thanks.”

“Did she send any for me? I’m starving.”

At the sound of her croaky voice, Ty shot across the room to Shayna’s side and perched on the edge of the bed as he took her hand. She’d been awake on and off since they arrived at the hospital, but she’d mostly been out of it. This was the first time he’d seen her smile since he and Echo had reached her on the mountain.

“How you doing, sweetheart?”

She ran her tongue over her lips. “Thirsty. And hungry.”

Ty grabbed her water from the table and held the straw to her lips.

She looked exhausted after taking a few sips.

“Thank you. Still hungry.”

He chuckled. “What do you want? Anything you like. You tell me, and I’ll get it or make it or …”

She smiled. “I don’t suppose they opened an In N Out in town while I’ve been asleep, did they?”

“’Fraid not, sweetheart. But as soon as I can, I’m going to start working on perfecting a copycat version for you, okay?”

“Thanks, Ty.”

The door opened again, and Cash, Alexis, Davin, and Booker came in. Ty loved the way each one of them reacted when Shay lifted her good hand in a little wave and said, “Hi, guys!”

Booker came straight to the bed and took hold of her hand. “Hey, sis, it’s about time you woke up, sleepy head.”

---