Page 42 of A Little More

Nash moved away to pour himself a cup of coffee. “In a couple hours.”

Lexi raised her head. “Did the utility company run the lines?”

“Yes.”

“Did you check to see if they ran them in the right spot? You remember how many times I had to explain it to the guy. What about building that second driveway over the ditch? The construction crew…” She swung around on the stool and stood, swayed, and her eyes drifted closed as she reached for the kitchen island but started to miss. Then he was there, picking her up in his arms a second before she fell.

He shifted her dead weight to get a view of her face. Concern speared through his body as he pulled her tighter. “Lexi?” Her head rolled to his chest with a little moan. “Get some water, Juliana.”

“I’m fine,” Lexi said after a moment, her eyes fluttering open. “Lightheaded from getting up so fast. Thanks for the catch. You can put me down now.” Even when she almost fell out, she refused his help.

He hugged her a little tighter once more. “I like you right here.” She’d given him the green light to advance their relationship, and now he sat at a railroad crossing, waiting for the train to pass. She couldn’t get well quick enough.

“I’m lightheaded from the Superman routine.” Juliana set the glass of water on the counter near Lexi. “Why did you even hesitate on this decision, Lexi?”

Lexi squinted at Juliana. “Because I like my job, and I try not to break the rules. Put me down, Nash,” she said with a little more fire in her voice. He’d take that over watching her faint. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not. When was the last time you ate?” He set her on the ground, practically between his feet, keeping their bodies touching as much as possible. His hands possessively held her waist. Her face turned up to his. He wanted to kiss her. Something sweet and comforting to make her feel better.

“Yesterday.” Her lips pursed together before she added, “morning.”

“Lexi…”

She shrugged. “I’ve slept almost non-stop and didn’t have any energy to fix something.”

“Then ask for help.” He couldn’t figure her out. Why was she so determined to do everything in life on her own?

She stepped back, breaking their contact, and motioned to Juliana. “I did.”

“You could have called me. I would have been here yesterday had I known you couldn’t even get out of bed.” Or hauled her back down to his house and taken care of her. He towered over her, concern mixed with irritation making his voice louder than necessary. “You don’t have to suffer just to prove a point that you’re independent.”

Even weak, Lexi’s brown eyes flashed with annoyance before they narrowed, ready for a fight.

Juliana stepped up to them, making a “T” with her two hands. “Time out. If you want to take care of her, then let Lexi eat.” She linked her arm through Lexi’s and guided her back to the kitchen island. “I forgot how overwhelmingly male and demanding you can be, Nash.”

“Caveman,” Lexi mumbled.

“Hard-headed,” he shot back.

Juliana stomped her foot like a toddler wanting attention. “Stop it. Both of you. Lexi, honey, there’s nothing wrong in asking for help. It doesn’t make anyone think any less of you need some support to get you through being sick.”

“Exactly. I—” Nash cut off his statement and stepped back when Juliana swiveled her head around, her green eyes flashing.

She pointed her finger at him. “And youareacting like a caveman, Nash Holloway.” She took another step, tilting her head back to look at him. “Not every woman in the world is going to run to you with their problems. Stop getting offended whenyouaren’t the one she calls. You’re so used to being there for everyone. Ms. Iris asks you to come in and fix things when they break at the diner. You reconstructed that section of Becky’s porch after the tree fell last Spring without batting an eyelash. And Dewey told me about the Jensen’s fire and putting up their new barn. When you’re not working, you’re helping someone else. But not everyone in the world must come to the great and powerful Nash for help. You’re no better than Cameron thinking then entire safety of Statem rests on his shoulders.”

Changing the protective streak that ran a mile-wide through his blood, would never happen. He took care of people. That’s why losing his dad the way he did still hurt so deep. No one even allowed him to help. Lexi pushed against that instinct in a way that drove him crazy and left him feeling useless and empty-handed.

Lexi slouched over the kitchen island, one elbow resting on the counter to prop her head up and the other holding the mug as she took small, slow sips. He still couldn’t accept her explanation for suffering in silence, keeping him in the dark, but he wouldn’t make her feel worse.

Juliana raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms, challenging him to say something else. She’d given him that same look his entire life. Too bad she didn’t have that same fire and would stand up to her father.

He patted Juliana on the shoulder and walked to Lexi. He set a hand on either side of her, leaning against the counter and boxing her in, his chest lightly pressing against her back.

He kissed her temple. “Why don’t you come to the living room and have your soup?” He shifted and pressed his lips to a spot behind her ear that had tempted him for a long time. “You can wrap up like a pink burrito again, and I’ll rub your feet.”

Juliana nodded her head from the other side of the kitchen as she shouldered her purse. “I’ll text you later, Lexi.”

Lexi sat up straight. “Thank you for the soup.”

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