Page 31 of The Darkest Knight

As if she continued to telepathically prod Seth from her vantage point, he turned and his gaze landed right on her. Seconds ticked by until she thought she’d melt right there into the grass under the tree. She wouldn’t allow him to distract her.

“Thanks for having lunch with me, Lex. I think I’ll take a walk before I head back to work.” Standing, she swiped the grass off from her shorts with her free hand and strolled to the trash can to throw away her half-eaten plate. A sliver of guilt passed through her because the meal had tasted delicious, but she’d lost her appetite. Maybe from the heat, the work, or Seth. Could be a combination of all three.

*****

Seth had pounded the last nail in the weather stripping when he heard barking. He stood from his bent position in the doorway and scanned the yard, spotting Abby almost fifty feet away, her tail wagging and bouncing from paw to paw.

Spike, who had been lying on the stoop, jumped up.

Seth waited to see Reese, but she didn’t come.

Dropping his hammer, he made a mad dash toward the dog that was attempting to tell him something.

“What is it, girl?”

Barking, Abby took a few steps away, then came back. The hairs on Seth’s neck raised as he realized exactly what the service dog was trying to tell him, and by the time he made it to the cabin where Reese had been working, what he found made him sick to his stomach. In the middle of the floor, she was stretched out, looking like she was asleep, but the subtle twitching in her body told him she’d had a seizure.

Abby raced to her side and nestled close.

He bent down to check her pulse and do a quick examination for cuts and bruises, but she appeared fine except for being unconscious. Taking off his shirt, he covered her, making sure she was warm, and the tremors quickly faded. Moments later he was relieved when her eyelids fluttered. She slowly stirred and moaned, but he kept her steady with his hands lightly holding her arms.

When her eyes came fully open, it took her a second, and then she said, “Shouldn’t you take me to dinner first?”

“Huh?”

“You have me on the floor, holding me down, and as enticing as this is, I’m not that easy.”

He bit back a smile. “Trust me, sweetheart, I would never mistake you as being easy.” Nothing had been easy since she came strolling into his life, and yet he doubted if given the choice he would change a thing.

“I had a seizure?”

“Yes, you did.”

Sliding his hands under her back, he lifted her with little effort into his arms and stood. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me,” he whispered next to her ear.

“Nowhere I’d rather be.” She curled against his chest and closed her eyes like he was a body pillow and his heart kicked up. He was known for being rough and tough, but something about this woman uncovered a side of him he didn’t like, or at least didn’t want to make a habit of. How could he be a badass if he had a softer side? How could he keep from feeling pain if he allowed everyone in?

He stepped out into the bright light, grabbed his radio from his belt, and pushed the button. “Gage, can you come to the first cabin ASAP?”

Static vibrated the line and a few seconds later, the man answered, “Let me get off this roof and I’ll be right there.”

“I think I’d be okay if you put me down,” Reese said.

He looked down and found that she was staring up at him, her eyes glazed and her cheeks flushed. “Let me be the judge of that.”

A smile brushed her lips. “You are a hero, aren’t you, Seth?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a hero. I’m going to take care of you though.”

“I’m not a lightweight.”

“I’ve carried guns that weigh more than you.” In fact, Reese was as light as a feather as he cradled her in his arms, waiting almost five minutes before he saw Gage’s rickety truck appearing over the hill. Seth stepped out into the grass.

“Is she okay?” Gage was out of his truck in record time, losing some of his tan in the process of asking about Reese.

“She had a seizure. Can you give us a ride to my cabin?” Seth was already heading for the passenger’s side.

“Sure. Get in.”

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