Page 17 of Stockman's Stormcloud

‘How about we try something a little different, to stop that pain…’ She pointed to his arm that protectively hugged his ribs. ‘I want you to focus on the rhythm as you inhale through your nose and fill your stomach, skipping the need to expand your lungs. Then exhale slowly through the mouth. Got it?’

He just glared at her.

‘We’ll do it together, slowly. Ready?’

Dex still wore that same glare as if she was suggesting something stupid.

‘Youdo want to get better, don’t you?’

‘Fine.’ He adjusted the mask over his mouth.

‘Ready?’

He barely gave a nod.

‘Breathe in… One… Two… Three… Fill the stomach. Then exhale… One… Two… Three.’ She breathed with him.

‘Stop.’ He gripped his knees, shoulders bent as if he was going to be ill.

‘Are you getting light-headed?’

He gave a curt nod as his scowl deepened. ‘Do I have to do this?’

She sat close beside him on the bed, her hand on his upper arm, ready in case he keeled over. ‘It will make it easier for you to breathe. And with that fractured rib—’

‘I get it.’

‘Let’s try again, but only to the count of two.’

Again, they went through the process. Sweat beaded across his forehead, but there was a glimmer of accomplishment in his eyes.

She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. ‘Good. The plan is that we’ll get you to do the four-by-four.’

He arched an eyebrow at her. ‘Are you talking about four-wheel drives?’

‘I’m talking about box breathing. It’s where you’ll inhale for four seconds. Hold for four seconds before you exhale for four seconds. Then hold for four seconds before inhaling again.’ Yet poor Dex was lucky to do one deep lungful. ‘Eventually, we’ll get you to do the four-seven-eight breathing pattern as part of your recovery.’

‘How long before I’m fully recovered?’

She shrugged. ‘Honestly, it’s up to you. The effort you put in will dictate how quickly you recover.’ She tugged his arm and helped him to his feet. ‘Got shoes?’

‘My brothers took my clothes.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I’d break out.’

She giggled. ‘I’d believe that.’

‘So,Sophie Pendleton, just to be fair,’ he said, standing so much taller than her, ‘I’d better let you know that I’m feeling the breeze in this gown. I’m a man who doesn’t care who sees my arse, but some patients may get offended. Or you’ll have the staff wondering what you’re doing walking the halls with a near-naked man.’

‘Oh.’ She blushed, a full body glowing rush of red heat that ran from her toes all the way to her forehead. ‘I’ll be right back. Keep breathing.’ She even grinned at him over her shoulder, but that was only met with a scowl.

She returned shortly with another gown. ‘Put this on. And let’s hope these slip-on scuffs aren’t too small.’

Surprisingly, he put them on without complaint.

She strapped his oxygen tanks into the simple trolley with its small wheels, then hooked his IV bag to it. She could feel Dex watching her, while he stood holding the bed, taking teeny breaths.

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