Page 62 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

“He’s going to be fine. Might need some physical therapy, but most of the wounds are superficial enough not to cause worry,” said Pops.

“Most?” asked Marjory.

“The ones on his torso are the worst, but Doc Jensen doesn’t see the point of going into town when he can do everything here. We’ll have to go get a prescription tomorrow.” Pops started down the stairs. “Take me home, lover. All this drama wore me clean out.”

Marjory waited at the landing, then tucked her arm into his. “I need you to hold me, Wes. I don’t think my heart’s stopped racing.” He patted her hand, leaving Meredith and Willow behind.

“I could use another stiff drink since I have no one to hold me. You?” she asked Meredith.

Meredith shook her head. “Maybe after I get this off.” She touched the rough, dried blood on her chest then went into the bathroom to scrub it off. It felt like an eternity before the doctor came downstairs and handed her a prescription and listed several things she should watch for, fever top of the list. After she saw out the doctor, Leo, and Tuck, she bounded up the stairs. Willow was sitting next to the bed, having pulled the rocking chair up so she could sit by her brother.

“He might be waking. I thought I'd keep him company until you got up here,” she said.

“Thanks,” Meredith mumbled as she stared at Jace. He was frighteningly pale.

“Here”––she jumped up and then pushed Meredith into the rocker––“rest. We'll split shifts watching over him. I'll give you some time with him then come back in an hour so you can get some sleep.”

Meredith began to protest, but Willow hushed her and then quickly left the room.

With no one else around but Jace, Meredith let her tears fall again. She'd almost lost him. As it was, he could still get really sick with an infection or have complications. Meredith would not borrow trouble. Those potential problems would have to get in line if they wanted a chance at Jace.

She leaned toward him and brushed a lock of his hair back and whispered his name, the words “I love you” ready to spill out. She'd known she had these feelings yesterday at the barn dance, but today they needed to be said. She'd held her tongue with her father for years, and it had gotten her nowhere. Holding it in with Jace was not going to be a habit.

“I love you,” she whispered. “Please wake up. I need you to tell me you're okay.”

He stayed motionless, his breathing barely visible.

She whispered the words again. This time he mumbled, and Meredith sat up straight.

“Jace?”

His eyelids fluttered opened, then he blinked heavily a few times as if he was fighting the pull of unconsciousness.

“Hey babe,” he croaked.

A relieved giggle escaped her. “Hey, want me to get you some water?” Without waiting for his response, she jumped up and dashed to the bathroom where she retrieved a small cup of water. Back at his side, she helped him raise his head to take a drink.

The work of it was obviously taxing as he was sweating when they were done.

“You're going to live,“ she told him. “A few cracked ribs and a bruised lung is the worst and you have all these stitches down your arm. Leo said the sum was in the sixties.”

“I'm sorry.” He winced as he shifted to free his uninjured hand from out beneath the covers, then took her hand.

His apology nearly broke her. He was likely in some serious pain and was thinking of her first.

“I'm so glad you're going to be okay.” She squeezed and considered telling him again her feelings. This time while he was alert—ish.

Jace gave her a wolfish grin. “I'm sorry you're going to have to do all the work.”

She stroked his hand with her thumb. “It's okay. It's what family does for one another.”

He looked puzzled. “What? Family? More like wives. But some wives really like it and prefer it, actually.” He yawned and then followed it up with a grin.

“Wives? What are you talking about?” She was beginning to think they were talking about two different things.

“I'm talking how you said we could fool around when we got home, but if you’re wanting to get your goods from me, you're gonna have to climb on top and do all the work. I won't complain, though.” He yawned again.

Meredith pulled her hand from his and crossed her arms. “You're talking about sex?”

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