Page 47 of Stockman's Stormcloud

‘Did you bet on the oxygen tank, too?’

That he hoisted over his shoulder like a sack.

‘End of the week.’

Today was Friday. ‘We’ll see.’

‘I know my body, Sophie.’

And what a fine body it was indeed. ‘Where are you going?’

With a map in one hand and the oxygen tank over his shoulder, he pushed through the wall of long grass. ‘I’m looking for something. Keep taking your photos and stay by the car.’

He completely disappeared.

She gleefully re-climbed the small ladder to the roof, noticing the hospital’s car had red mud flicking up the white sides. She’d have to wash it later. ‘Isn’t this your dry season? Where you don’t get rain for six months of the year.’

‘Yeah.’

His voice came from behind her somewhere.

She climbed back onto the roof rack, where her camera beckoned her. ‘So why is this area still muddy with this tall grass everywhere? It’s like a swamp.’

‘That’s what I’m trying to work out.’ Now his voice travelled from her left.

‘What is this place called?’

‘Dead Dog’s Swamp.’

His voice was so far away, she couldn’t see himanywhere. ‘Dex?’

‘Yeah…’

‘Don’t go far.’ She stood on the roof, her hand shadowing her eyes to search the grasses as a flare of panic made her heart quicken. ‘Before you complain about being your own man, I can’t see you if anything goes wrong.’ After all, he was her patient, carrying an oxygen tank.

‘Flip it.’ Grasses shifted behind her, where he came back onto the track.

‘There you are.’ She grinned at him from behind the camera lens that seemed to fall in love with him. And why not. Dex was stunning, tall and lean in his black cowboy hat. His tight T-shirt showed off his muscles and his broad shoulders trimmed down to a lean waist to meet those jeans that did wonders to show off his powerful thighs. He was such a potently glorious male specimen, she couldn’t stop taking photos as if he were a cowboy model coming out of the thick grasslands like a god of grass.

‘I didn’t say you could take photos of me.’ Dex scowled at her.

‘I’ll just Photoshop you out and exchange you for a wood nymph, then.’

There it was, a quick grin, as he peered up at her, dumping his oxygen tank onto the ground. ‘Are you enjoying yourself up there?’

‘I am, thank you. Are you? Bashing through the grass like a sexy dark garden gnome.’ She gasped. ‘I did not just say that.’ She winced, biting her lip with her face blazing. She turned away, pretending to take photos of something in the other direction, hoping he hadn’t heard that.

Fat chance. Not when his chuckle made her cringe with embarrassment.

But then came the gasp followed by a thud as he leaned heavily against the car. She could hear his laboured breathing.

‘That’s enough.’ She quickly climbed down. ‘I’m taking you back. No complaints. You’ve had two walks today, Dex. Idon’t want you ending up back in the hospital.’

‘Why not? I’ll get to see you every night, then.’

She swallowed hard, daring to lick her lips at the prospect. ‘If you want to see me, ask. Do not put yourself in danger of ending up in the hospital again.’

‘What, like a date?’ He screwed his face up as if he’d tasted something horrible, as he headed for the passenger seat. ‘I don’t do that, Sophie.’

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