Page 36 of Eye of Her Storm

“What’s going on?” he asked as he knelt next to Tai.

“I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up,” River quipped. She shifted her arm aside and opened one eye, groaned then closed it again. “More like, I don’t want to get up yet. I could if I wanted to. I just thought I’d lie here a minute and get un-dizzy.”

Tai cupped her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. He needed to touch her; anchor himself to the moment and reassure himself that she was still here. Her soft skin beneath his hand felt so right and so perfect. “How about…I carry you upstairs to bed. You can rest somewhere softer. I’m pretty much done for the day. I can stay with you.”

“I don’t want you to get behind on your work,” she argued. “We’ll be leaving soon.”

“Don’t say that shit. I won’t get behind. I told you; I’m done for the day—well, for now anyway. This time of year, I can take off for a few free hours before evening chores.”

“Same here,” Seth agreed. “I was heading back when I got Tai’s call.”

Tai lifted River into his arms, noting how light she seemed. She’d lost weight in the weeks since her tumor symptoms had started, the pain and nausea stealing her appetite. He wondered how if dizziness didn’t make preparing food more trouble than it was worth.

She pressed her face into his shoulder and breathed deep. “You make me feel like everything’s all right,” she murmured. “Did Paisley call you?”

“Yeah. Then I called Seth.”

“I should have known she wouldn’t believe me.”

“You know her well—and she knows you. I need to call her back. I’m pretty sure she’ll have my balls if I don’t, and no one wants that.”

River snorted, smiling as she burrowed deeper into him. “She has enough problems with the balls she has.”

“Come again?”

“She’s pregnant and pretty pissed off about it.”

“Oh shit,” Tai laughed. Beside him, Seth chuckled as he accompanied them upstairs.

“Oh, I bet she’s pissed. They must have knocked her up the first time after the go ahead to resume sex.”

“Yeah, she’s grouchy, but I know she loves it.”

“Still, I better call her right away. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already in her truck. And while I’m downstairs, how about I get you something to eat? Have you had anything today?”

He glanced down and saw her grimace.

“Baby, you gotta eat.”

River sighed. “I know. I was planning on it…”

Entering the bedroom, he headed for the bed then placed her on the thick comforter. He heard Seth’s boots hit the floor—neither of them had taken the time to remove their muddy footwear before running to River. Then Seth rounded the bed and climbed in beside their woman. His arm went around her, and she winced. His brow furrowing, Seth lifted away his arm. Tai quickly shoved up her shirt.

“Oh my God,” he grunted. “I thought you said you were okay.”

A huge bruise had already discolored her side from the impact.

“I am,” she retorted angrily and shoved down her top.

Tai’s jaw clenched. “River—”

“Look,” she exclaimed. “I’m okay. I hit the chair hard, but I know what deeper injuries feel like. I know what cracked ribs feel like. I know what it feels like to be really hurt. Okay?”

Rage grew inside him. Her fucking ex. If Tai knew his name, if he knew where to find him… The man would be dead.

He took a step back before his anger frightened her. “I’ll go call Paisley.”

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