Page 74 of North Bound

‘You too, Nick.’

He kisses her forehead then walks over to the door and goes outside. Scarlett waits by the door, watching as he talks to Flint, then climbs onto his sleigh. His eyes meet hers and he winks. She keeps the tears back as the reindeer take off and Nick disappears. Scarlett glances over at Flint, sitting on his horse. He nods once, then turns his back to her.

She goes back inside and closes the door, then lets the tears out.

Nick sits on the edgeof the bed. He’s utterly shattered. Downright miserable too. He needs to sleep. Needs to let his body get over the run.

Flint is looking out for Scarlett, taking point for the next few hours as she packs up the cottage and goes back to Dublin and her life.

It’s the right thing to do. He knows it, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy about it.

‘I brought you some food.’

He nods at Eve, as she places the tray on the table at the end of his bed. His bed probably still smells of Scarlett. He’s not usually so sentimental, but she’s got to him, and he hasn’t got a clue how to get over her. Or even if he wants to.

‘Do you need anything else?’ she asks, sitting on the bed beside him.

‘No, thanks, Eve. Just keep an eye on things while I’m out of it.’

‘We’ll watch her, Nick. I promise she’s safe.’

‘I meant the workshop.’

‘Of course you did.’

He flops back on the bed, exhaustion going over him in waves. The extra trip to Ireland had used whatever reserves of energy he had left. He doesn’t even want to eat and that’s not usual. ‘There’s no reason for anyone to go after her now.’

He doesn't fight back when Eve takes off his boots. She taps him on the leg. ‘Lift up your ass.’

When he does, she untucks the duvet from under him and lays it over him, still fully dressed. He honestly doesn't care. The thought of even moving a finger is too much for him.

Eve sits back against the headboard. She always stays with him until he’s asleep. It’s a tradition that’s stuck since his very first run. The exhaustion and weakness had scared the hell out of him first time. He hadn’t been prepared for the severity of it. So she’d stayed, talking to him until he dropped off.

And right now, he’s so grateful for her company. He doesn’t want to be alone with his thoughts.

‘Do you want to eat something before you sleep?’

He shakes his head once. ‘Tired.’

‘Just sleep then. You can eat when you wake up.’

He nods, rolling onto his side. His head is still killing him. The headache has refused to budge since he woke up on Scarlett’s cottage floor. He thought it would be gone by now. It’s probably exhaustion, but as he’s drifting off, he can’t shake the feeling his headache has something to do with whatever is going on. But he can’t figure out what. Something about it doesn't feel right, but also, in a way, it’s familiar.

He can hear Eve talking about general workshop gossip that never interests him. It’s what she does to help him sleep, but this time the distraction isn’t helping. He needs his mind clear, needs to concentrate on whatever that niggling thought is.

But it’s a lost cause. He’s so far beyond exhausted, so he allows his body the rest it needs, his last thought of Scarlett, as he falls asleep.

---