Page 46 of Bravo

The door opens, and Bradyn sticks his head in.

My heart hammers in my chest as my stomach does somersaults. Why, oh why does he have to give me the butterflies?

“I saw your lamp come on as I was making my way up for breakfast. You doing okay?”

“Yeah. Just woke up.” As he opens the door further, the delicious aroma of coffee and frying bacon fills my lungs. My stomach growls.

“I was actually going to see if you wanted to come down to breakfast. I can help you down the stairs, but then you can getout of this room. I imagine, even with as lovely as it is, you might be losing your mind a little.”

I smile. “You would be right.”

“I also spoke with my mom, and after I promised to make sure you were eating and well cared for, she’s agreed to let you return to your cabin.”

Hope shoves the attraction out. Back in my space. Near my things. Near the one thing that carries the weight of my freedom. I can’t believe I took it off before going out into the storm. It was foolish and a mistake I’ll never make again.

“Really? I mean, I don’t need you checking in on me; I’ll be fine.”

“I know you don’t, but I did promise to hand deliver food twice a day. If you’re okay with that? She’ll also be by to make sure you’re resting.”

I get the feeling that if I told him no, he’d respect it. But I also really don’t want to tell him no. Momma Hunt’s cooking is spectacular, and not having to worry about feeding myself twice a day would be nice. Especially since I don’t see myself getting to the store anytime soon. “Food delivery would be great.”

He beams at me. A genuine ray of sunshine that would have the sun itself jealous. “Great. I’ll step out for a few minutes. Just call out when you’re ready to venture down the stairs.” With a final smile, he steps out and shuts the door softly behind him.

I waste no time as I throw the covers off of me and eye the jeans and shirt folded up on the chair in the corner.

I could try to put them on.

I’d probably be successful.

But the thought of falling on my butt makes it not worth the try. So, I grab the crutches and opt to come back for them. Instead, I slip my unwrapped foot into my boot then make my way over toward the door.

When I pull it open, Bradyn turns to look at me. His gaze darkens just a bit before he smiles. Warmth spreads through me, turning my stomach into a pit of butterflies yet again. “I’ll have to come back for my jeans when I’m able to get them on without a struggle,” I tell him with a smile. “Until then, sweats will have to do.”

He chuckles. “I can bring them to you with the first food delivery.”

“Sounds good, thanks.” I use the crutches to get out of the room then eye the stairs. Somehow, they looked less intimidating as I was literally being carried up here by Elliot the first time. Then again, I’d been freezing cold and somewhat out of it then. “I’m not sure I can do this easily, and scooting down on my butt might be a bit more than my pride can take at the moment.”

Bradyn laughs, and the rich sound envelopes me in warmth. “While I spent many years scooting down on my own butt, I get it. Here.” Without waiting, he grips my arm, plucks the crutches out, and scoops me into his arms.

He does it so effortlessly that it makes me feel like I weigh practically nothing.

And even though I know I should, I don’t fight it because it feels amazing to be held in his strong arms. “Thanks. This is much better.”

He chuckles. “I’ll come back for the crutches, but let’s get you breakfast before Tucker and Dylan eat it all.”

“Both my empty stomach and I thank you for that.”

We move down the stairs easily, and by the time we get to the bottom, I can already hear the brothers arguing back and forth. It’s all friendly jesting and makes me smile. I would’ve loved to grow up with siblings.

Instead—my thoughts darken, and I have to actively shove them out of my mind to avoid being pulled under.

“I’m just saying that you should pick up the slack a bit more, Dylan. I can’t be the best looking and the hardest working of the two of us,” Tucker says.

“What a burden that must be,” Riley replies with what I imagine is an eye roll.

We emerge into the dining room, and all gazes shift to us. Color floods my cheeks. Why didn’t I think this through? Why didn’t I insist he put me down at the bottom of the stairs? I must look absolutely ridiculous being carried through their house in sweats!

Ruth enters the room. “Oh good! You got her down here safely! Come and sit, honey. You must be starving. Get the girl a chair, Riley. Bradyn can’t do all the work.”

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