Page 14 of Toxic

His eyebrows raised. “No need to.”

He reminded me of my father in that way. The man had always just done everything that needed to be done. No gratitude required. I looked around at the table and couldn’t help but laugh.

Toxic’s lips quirked up. “What’s so funny?”

“When I first saw how much food you’d made, I thought you were crazy.” Everything was nearly gone. “We had a cook on the crew and he always made the guys their meals out in the bunkhouse. We ate with them often, but I guess I’ve just forgotten how much men eat.”

Both of them chuckled. “Us more than most, probably,” Toxic said. “I can hit the grocery store. Stock you up.”

My jaw dropped. “Oh… Thank you, but I can-”

“Billie.”

I sucked in a breath, because the way he said my name did funny things to my insides. Not to mention the way he was looking at me, all patient but determined at the same time. If a girl could melt, then I was a puddle.

“We’re here to help. Let us.”

“He’shere to help,” Butcher muttered, shoving another half a pancake into his mouth. “I’m here to shoot some motherfuckers if they come sniffing around. And to eat. If you want me to do the former, then I need to do the latter, so you need him to hit the grocery store.”

Now my mouth was hanging fully open. “What?” I asked him.

“Don’t pay attention to him,” Toxic said. “Like, ever.”

The way Butcher cursed under his breath gave me the distinct impression that Toxic had kicked him under the table. My gaze landed on Toxic again.

“I’ll pick you up enough to get you through the next few days. There’s not much in here.”

“I don’t know how long Gramps will be in the hospital,” I hedged.

“That’s fine. We’ll figure it out in a couple more days. You don’t even have to come home. Though you should, so you can get a shower and some sleep.”

“I slept last night.”

He arched a brow. “Sleeping in those hospital chairs isn’t rest. You look like you’re exhausted. In fact, why don’t you go lay down for a couple of hours?”

The way he said that told me he’d spent his share of nights in hospitals, though right now I didn’t dare to ask why. “Oh, I couldn’t. There’s so much to do.” I told him, shaking my head. The weight of the responsibilities of this ranch was something I was so used to, I didn’t even feel it anymore. That never ending to-do list was just always there in my mind.

“That’s what I’m here for, remember? And most hospital visiting hours don’t open again until eight or nine. It’s only six. Go lay down.”

“I should do the dishes…”

“That’s Butcher’s job.”

I stifled a laugh when Butcher scowled at Toxic. “Knew there was a price to pay for the meal.” But he stood and started bringing plates over to the sink without another word.

“Billie.”

I really needed him to stop saying my name that way. It was bad enough I was losing myself in his eyes, but I was a goner for that voice. I was probably just hallucinating from being so tired.

“I’ll wake you up in a couple hours,” he promised. “But you need to get some sleep.” He stood up and when he held his hard, calloused palm out to me, I took it. He led me down the hallway and paused at my door. “Need me to tuck you in?” he asked in a low voice. There was a sinful smile on his face.

“No,” I said a little too quickly. “Thanks… I’m…”

“You’re not used to someone taking care of you,” he said, finishing my sentence. “I can tell.”

I was used to doing the taking care of. Had been doing it for so long now. Even when Dad was alive, I did my best to take as much off his plate as I could. I nodded.

“Get some sleep,” he repeated, nudging me into my bedroom, then closing the door.

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