Page 106 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
Dahlia widened her eyes in mock shock. “No way.”
Rose giggled. “It’s true.”
She slipped out to get her phone as the back door opened. Dahlia jerked much too quickly, spinning to see…
Dex.
Her heart faltered and fell. She recovered quickly enough to flash him a smile. “Sorry they called you all the way over here for nothing. See? It’s fine.” She pointed down at her ankle, which barely even ached anymore.
And soon enough her heart would stop aching too. She hoped.
Dex grinned as he knelt in front of her. “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”
“Can I grab you some water or tea, Dr. Dex?” Emma called from the stove. Whatever she was heating up for Dahlia smelled delicious.
“No, thanks,” he said.
Lizzy surprised Dahlia by coming up behind her and wrapping her arms around her neck. “I’ve got to get to the store. I’m working today. But I’m so glad you’re back safe and sound.”
Dahlia patted her arms as Lizzy gave her a squeeze. “Thanks, Lizzy. I’ll be heading out soon, so… I guess I’ll see you next time I’m back?”
“You bet.” Lizzy moved away and shot her a wink from the door. “You’d better fly in early. I expect you to be at the bachelorette party. It’s a sisterly requirement.”
Dahlia’s mouth went dry while Lizzy let out a girlish giggle.
She thinks I’m coming back for the wedding.
She didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth. She didn’t want to kill Lizzy’s grin or have to handle a conversation about why she wouldn’t be there. An uncharacteristic weakness stole over her, and instead she settled for an awkward smile and ambiguous nod.
Dex was gingerly removing her boot and rolling down her sock.
“I can do that, Dex. And I swear, it’s fine.”
He ignored her.
Emma came over with a full plate just as Rose reentered with her phone held up as proof. “See? Daisy even texted to nag me for an update.”
Dahlia chuckled.
“Hey, beautiful,” Dex greeted Rose.
She came to stand beside him. “How’s our patient?”
Dahlia rolled her eyes, making Emma giggle. “She’s right here, and she’s fine!”
Dex ignored her, talking to Rose instead as he prodded her ankle. “It doesn’t seem swollen, just badly bruised.”
Dahlia shared a look with a laughing, sympathetic Emma. “Just let him do his job, Dahlia,” she said. “We’ll all feel better if he signs off on your good health.”
Dahlia sighed. “JJ is the one who could use Dex’s help. You should go check on his hand before—”
Dex’s laughter had her stopping short.
“What’s so funny?”
He grinned up at her. “Just that this isdéjà vu.” At her frown, he continued. “I ran into JJ on my way in. I saw his bandaged hand and told him I’d take a look. But he shooed me away, saying I had to check on you first.”
Dahlia bit the inside of her lip, commanding herself not to cry. She would not be some stupid weeping girly girl.
