Page 26 of Seized by the Lawman

Chapter 9

MELLY HAD NO clue how long she’d been locked inside of the building, but the heat had lulled her to sleep. When she fluttered her eyes open wide, she found Nix and it took her a few good long seconds to realize he wasn’t a dream. His fingers were in her hair, on her cheeks and touching her neck as if he were looking for injuries.

“No broken bones.” Her throat ached.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice etched with obvious concern.

Although her body felt warm, his long fingers moving along her moist skin made her temperature soar.

“Melly, talk to me. What happened? Are you hurt? Did you fall?”

“I-I’m okay. Just thirsty.”

He’d heard her, so then why was he still running his hands through her hair, over her shoulders, down her legs? Didn’t he realize he was making her blood boil and that was the last thing she needed at the moment. She pushed herself to a straighter sitting position and sighed. “I’m okay, really I am. I-I was locked inside here.” Her throat was scratchy.

“Who locked you in here?” he asked gruffly.

“I don’t know. I was watering Jewels and I noticed the door was unlocked and when I stepped inside, the door shut. The next thing I knew I was locked in. Did you see anyone outside?”

“No.” He slid one arm under her knees and another around her shoulders and easily stood, lifting her with him.

“What are you doing?” she mumbled.

“You’re burning up. You’re probably too weak to walk. It’s over a hundred degrees in here and you have to be dehydrated.” He held her tight against his chest, subtly nuzzling his nose in her hair. “When I looked through the crack and saw you...” He exhaled painfully. “Damn. You scared me.”

“You? Scared? Never.”

“Hard to believe, huh?”

“Put me down. I think I can walk. I’m too heavy for you to carry all the way to the stables.”

“We’ll grab a horse and I’ll take you to the house.”

“That’s crazy. You’ll tire out. Put me down,” she protested.

“Not happening. The more you squirm, the harder this’ll be so settle down and enjoy the ride.” He stepped out of the building, grateful for the little bit of breeze Mother Nature gifted them. Holding her steady against his body, he reached for his radio. “Randy, saddle one of the geldings for me.”

After getting an affirmative response, Nix pushed the radio back into his belt.

“This is ridiculous. I’m fine to walk.” She stirred.

“Sure, but why would you when you have me to carry you? And take the chance of you passing out? No way,” he said calmly.

Thankfully, she didn’t say another word because although she was light and easy to carry, having her close and her scent swirling his nostrils made his body tight. Luckily, by the time they stepped around the corner of the stables, Randy had just finished saddling the gelding Nix had ridden before.

Upon seeing Melly being carried, the foreman shot straight up. “Melly! Are you okay? Is she okay?” The man looked like he was about ready to fall over.

“She’s a little weak,” Nix offered.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“Someone locked her in the empty shed,” Nix said gruffly.

“Locked you inside? Why?” Randy looked shocked.

“Okay, I can walk now,” she demanded.

Nix didn’t listen. Instead, he carried her to the horse and slid her onto the saddle. “Now scoot forward,” he commanded.

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