Page 18 of By Your Side

Raelynn drives up as Owen bounds down the steps to his idling truck. She jumps out, racing over to me. “Oh my gosh! Adeline, what happened?”

Owen explains, gesturing to the hole where the rotten wood used to be.

“I’m so glad this damn porch is going to be fixed soon.” Her dark eyes take in my prone position in Owen’s arms.

“Damn right. I’m starting on it as soon as we’re back and I’m not stopping until it’s safe,” Owen growls.

Raelynn opens the passenger door to his truck, and he settles me in so gently, I can feel that burn again. Squeezing my eyes shut, I don’t open them until we get to the emergency room.

Shooting Raelynn a text, I apologize for not asking what she needed. She sends back a GIF with a shocked face, making me laugh.

Owen watches me, his face etched in concern. “I’m sorry, Adeline. I saw that board and I meant to replace it. It was unprofessional of me to forget.” His voice is harsh and low, his face grim.

Shaking my head, I wave it off. “It happens. I know better than to walk and look at my phone. Thanks for driving me here.”

Three hours, and an X-ray later, I’m finally on my way home. My ankle has a bad sprain which means a lot of time off my feet with it elevated.

I’m still grumbling about being laid up when Owen pulls to a stop outside of my house.

He looks at me and smirks, then cuts in when I finally take a breath. “Adeline, take the time to relax. By the time your ankle is better the porch should be done. You can point and give out instructions. Then we can start on some of the interior work together.”

He’s out of the car before I can respond, coming around to open the truck door for me. Before I can move an inch, I’m in his arms and he’s carrying me to the house.

Raelynn turns from the sink where she’s washing my dishes as Owen brings me into the living room and gently places me on the couch, lifting my leg to rest on the armrest.

Raelynn grins at me around Owen as he works, adjusting pillows and hemming and hawing until he’s satisfied.

Rolling my eyes, I smile at him. “That was unnecessary, but thank you.”

This is a different side to the usually gruff man, and I don’t know what to make of it. It feels nice to be fussed over and my body is still tingling from the heat of his body pressed into mine.

“I couldn’t go home without seeing how you’re doing.” Raelynn dries her hands and hangs the towel before joining me on the couch. “I picked up groceries to cook dinner later, so you don’t have to worry about it. And I ordered us dessert to arrive later tonight.”

Grimacing as I shift, Owen returns to my side with a glass of water and some ibuprofen.

Owen turns to Raelynn, filling her in on the rest of what the doctor said. “She has to stay off her feet as much as possible. Are you able to stay here and make sure she does? I want to put all my focus on that damn deck.”

“Of course. I’m happy to help in any way I can.”

“I’m sitting right here.” Huffing, I throw the pills in my mouth and swig the water in frustration.

“We know, hun.” Raelynn smiles apologetically. “I’m happy to stay here for as long as needed. It will be like a slumber party!”

Sighing, I agree. The two of them make plans and I let them, my eyes growing heavy as I finally succumb to the stress of the morning.

It’s dark when I wake up, but I can smell something delicious, and Raelynn sings to herself in my kitchen.

Moaning as I sit up, I scrub my hands over my face before examining my ankle. It hurts a lot, but the swelling hasn’t increased.

“Dinner is almost ready. How are you feeling?” Raelynn comes over and helps me up. I limp with her support to the table.

“Mad more than anything. My ankle hurts, but this is a setback I didn’t need.” Accepting the water and pain meds Raelynn offers me, I watch as she brings over a dish that smells and looks mouth-watering. “That looks amazing. What is it?”

She grins, serving some onto my plate. “It’s jerk chicken and a rice concoction my mom always made. I had her prep it for me earlier so I could cook it when you were ready. I grabbed it when I was out earlier getting groceries.”

We dive in, the flavors of the food intense and incredibly delicious. Closing my eyes, I chew the most tender chicken I’ve ever eaten. “This is amazing! Thank you so much. I can’t wait to meet your mom and tell her how much I enjoyed this and how incredibly you cooked it.”

She beams. “Mom taught me well.”

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