Page 126 of Mountain Boss

She’s pale.

And a sheen of sweat coats her cheeks, even though she’s wearing that hat like she’s freezing.

The temp has definitely dropped in the last twenty-four hours, but it’s not as bad as all that right now.

Courtney starts up the stairs to the next cabin before I can stop her.

And that’s when I see the flannel.

My ribs flex around my heart.

Below her sweater ismyflannel.

She’s still wearing it.

She’s… disappearing into the cabin.

“Shit.”

I climb the steps in two strides and find her already pulling bedding off one of the mattresses.

I drop the bundle I took from her onto the ground. “Cookie, stop for a second.”

I hate that she thought I called her Cookie for bad reasons. Fucking despise it. But I’ve thought of her as my Cookie for too long already and can’t stop.

Plus, it usually gets a reaction. And I need her attention.

She sucks in a breath, like I startled her. As if she didn’t expect me to follow her in.

Moving to her side, I place a hand on Courtney’s shoulder and turn her to face me.

She wavers.

I set the coffee down on the top beam of the bunk, then grip her other shoulder.

“You’re not feeling well.” I make it a statement.

She tries to shrug, but it’s more of a tremble. “I’m fine.”

I shake my head. “You’re not fine. And I mean this in the nicest way…” I let go with one hand and tug the front edge of her hat up, giving me a better view of her bloodshot eyes. “You look like you feel terrible.”

She huffs, then covers her mouth with her hand as it turns into a cough.

My shoulders droop.

She looks miserable.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I murmur as I pull her hat up higher and place the back of my hand on her forehead.

“I’m fine.” Her voice sounds painful.

She feels warm, but I don’t know if it’s a fever or if it’s from her hat.

“You need to go back to bed,” I tell her.

Courtney shakes her head. “We have gueststomorrow.”

I drop my hand from her forehead and cup her cheek. “I’ll get the guys to help. We’ll take care of it.”

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