Page 128 of Mountain Boss

“It won’t affect your pay.” My words come out as a whisper. “I promise.”

“Okay.” Her voice is small. “And you’d do that for anyone?”

I nod.

I nod because my throat feels too tight.

Because I feel like a fucking asshole.

My girl, my employee, is standing here, working through illness, because she doesn’t want to lose a single day of pay.

And even as I’m telling her to rest, she’s asking me if I’d do this for everyone. Because she doesn’t want special treatment.

I just fucking can’t.

I slide my hand from her cheek to the back of her hat-covered head and pull her into my body.

Courtney tenses.

I hold her tighter.

Then I feel her back hitch through a breath before she wraps her arms around my middle.

Her body shakes again as she inhales.

“Fuck.” I hold her firmly against me with one hand and run the other up and down her spine.

We stand there, holding each other for several quiet moments as she slowly relaxes into me, her fingers loosening their grip on the back of my shirt.

“Courtney…” It feels awkward to say this, but I think she’s crying, and I can’t take her fucking crying. “If you need money…”

Courtney pulls back, already shaking her head. “Please don’t finish that sentence.” She wipes at her cheeks even as she forces herself to lookup at me. “I’m fine. I mean, I feel crappy enough that it’s making me cry a little. But I’m fine. I just…” She brushes away another tear, like they’re no big deal. “I earn my way. I don’t want any favors.”

I nod my head once. Because I get it.

I don’t like it. But I get it.

“Is there anything else I can do? Anything you need?”

Courtney, of course, shakes her head. Asking for nothing.

“Alright.” I let my hands slip from her body. “Go to bed. I’ll finish up here.”

She glances around. “If you’re sure.”

I don’t miss the way she reaches out to touch the bed frame to steady herself.

“Want me to walk you back?”

“No.” She turns down my offer.

I want to argue.

Demand she let me carry her.

But I can’t do that with the rest of my employees milling around the property.

“Fine. But go right to bed.”

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