Chapter 10
2092 Words
Chapter Ten
The ride to the hospital stayed largely silent. And for at least the fiftieth time this morning, he questioned his motives driving Maddie all the way up to Manhattan.
Ben had ridden over at dawn with his horse, Blaze, and together they’d ridden back for chores and a quick shower. By then it was only seven and he’d driven his truck back over to Warren’s place. He didn’t want her to be alone when she woke up.
It would have been easier to let Gunnar take her earlier this morning. He’d received more than an eyebrow raise when he answered the door and informed her cousin that Maddie was still sleeping.
But no.
He’d insisted on being chivalrous and said he’d bring her up later, drawing yet another raised eyebrow from Gunnar.
He pulled the truck up to visitor drop-off and shifted into park. He tilted back his Stetson and turned to her. “You go on ahead. I’ll park and be up.”
She pursed her lips, pushing up her glasses. “No need. You’ve already done enough.”
Her voice sounded breathless and a little wavery. She had every right to be nervous. Warren had cheated death by the skin of his teeth.
“Did it occur to you that I might want to see Warren too?”
Her eyes widened and she sagged, dipping her head.
Before he could stop himself, he reached out. Grazing her silky cheek with the back of his finger. So soft. She was so soft.
“Hey, you okay?”
Her face had the oddest expression. But she nodded, adjusting her glasses again. “I’m fine.”
He snorted. “You keep telling yourself that.”
She unbuckled her seatbelt. “Think what you want,” she responded loftily, shrugging. “I’m fine.”
She scooted off the seat and hopped out of the truck, slamming the door behind her. He pulled the truck through and into the nearest parking spot. Why was she acting like she wanted to get as far away from him as possible? He’d done nothing but be a total gentleman. Except for kissing her in his kitchen.
He squirmed, his balls tightening at the memory of her mouth. Yeah. There’d been nothing gentlemanly about that kiss. He’d done it to provoke a response. Even though he’d tortured himself in the process. He couldn’t help it. She pushed his buttons, and in return he wanted to push hers.
All of them.
He stalked through the lobby and hit the elevator button a little too hard. Hell, he’d wanted to kiss her as soon as he’d seen her in the airport. She’d tied his gut in knots the second her eyes locked with his. He should win a medal for showing restraint the way he had. And this morning too, when she was all sleepy faced and still wrapped in his jacket.
But no.
He’d walked away and made her breakfast instead.
A total gentleman.
He moved out of the elevator and started to turn the corner into the waiting room when Martha’s voice pulled him up short.
“I’m so surprised by Blake Sinclaire. We owe him so much now.”
Maddie’s voice murmured something unintelligible.
Martha giggled. “I just have this feeling about him…”
He stood rooted to the spot, unsure whether he should interrupt.
“Don’t get any ideas, Martha,” Maddie reprimanded her.
“I really don’t understand all the hullabaloo between our families. I mean, Jake might have been a sonofagun, but I always liked Amelia. Was real sorry when she went.”
A flash of grief pierced him. Martha wasn’t the only one who was sorry. Sorry didn’t even begin to describe the loss he’d felt when his mother passed.
“You could do far worse than to hitch your ride to his, Maddie Jane. He’s solid, that one. Solid as they come.”
“Stop this, Aunt Martha… My work is in Chicago.”
“The course of true love never did run smooth, dearie. Jobs can change. True love is constant. Besides, your daddy’d be mighty pleased if you settled down close by. He’d never admit it, but he misses you something fierce.”
Oh no. This had to stop. He needed to rescue her from this conversation. Hell, he needed to rescue himself.
“Lordy, Auntie M, do I look like a neutrino in a particle smasher?” Maddie asked.
Blake strode around the corner unable to keep the grin off his face. “No. You are much more lovely.”
Maddie turned her head, eyes filled with panic. He wouldn’t let on that he’d overheard anything but her last statement. At least not yet. “Have you seen the nurse yet?”
She rolled her lips together and shook her head.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
Indecision covered her face, and she shut her eyes, taking a strong breath. He could see the wheels turning in her mind and bit back a laugh. The mothers of Prairie had been making plans for him for years, falling all over themselves for his company. And she hesitated to walk down the hall with him. But it was nice to know at least one Hansen didn’t think all Sinclaires were mud.
She opened her eyes and stared directly at him.
His breath stuck in his throat.
A silent conversation took place in the span of a moment.
You’re laughing at me.
Yes. I am.
Stop it.
You’re beautiful.
The windows to her thoughts slammed shut, replaced with aloof detachment.
She shrugged. “Sure.” She peered at him over the tops of her glasses, coming off more like a flustered librarian than anything remotely threatening. “But no talking in there, and you leave if he gets agitated.”
He bit back a laugh but nodded solemnly.
“Do you want to come too, Auntie, M?” Maddie turned back toward her aunt who was watching them with open speculation.
Great.
This was sure to make the rounds at Dottie’s Diner.
“Go on ahead, honey. You two see him first. I’ll wait until Eddie arrives after lunch.”
Maddie spun on her heel and marched down the hall, the echo of her heels clicking the only sound between them.
Keeping pace with her, he reached out his hand toward the small of her back, catching himself just in time before he touched her. Electricity leaped to his palm, nearly making him clench his fist.
She pushed up her glasses. “You don’t need to hover. I’m fine.”
He dropped his hand, biting back a retort that was certain to elicit a fiery response. She was anxious, and he happened to be here to absorb it. Fine. If that’s what she needed right now, he was her man. He could see her brain working on overdrive again. If it wasn’t so adorable it would be damned irritating.
“Stop thinking, Maddie.” He didn’t bother to hide his grin this time.
She slid him a sideways glance, made an irritated little squeak, and kept walking.
Yep.
Totally adorable.
“You’re still thinking, Maddie.”
She stopped short and spun around, jabbing his chest with her finger.
He stepped back. She moved forward, punctuating each word with another jab of her finger. “Get. Out. Of. My. Head.”
He reached for her arms, pulling her close. Every cell in his body tightened in awareness as she molded to him. Their eyes locked, and she let out a little gasp. The urge to bend his head to hers and take a quick taste of her rushed through him. He swallowed hard then stepped back, letting her go. Not here. Not now.
“No.” He shook his head. “Sorry.” Not really. He liked teasing her.
She pressed her lips together, eyes sparkling with aggravation.
Huh.
Had she wanted him to kiss her just then?
Not how he’d imagined getting the upper hand with a Hansen, but he’d take it.
He left her where she was and walked a few more paces to the door and held it open for her to pass. She squared her shoulders and marched through the door.
“I’m here to see Warren Hansen.”
The nurse on duty looked her once over. “And you are?”
“His daughter.”
“Yes. Of course.” She reached for the chart, looking at her notes. “I see you were here last night. They took the ventilator out about twenty minutes ago. He’s recovering nicely and he’s still very weak. But you can see him for a few minutes.”
The nurse nodded toward the doorway across the room. Still pointedly ignoring Blake, Maddie stepped around the nurse’s station and paused in the threshold. Tension rippled through her body, and his heart went out to her. Her attitude be damned. She needed support. He stepped up behind her and brought his hands to her shoulders. Some of the tightness leached from her body.
Standing there, taking her father in this way over Maddie’s shoulder, twisted something in his chest. Warren looked like s**t. His color had improved a shade over the hideous oatmeal color from the previous evening, but he still looked terrible. And frail. Like the fight had gone out of him. As if sensing them there, Warren’s eyes fluttered open. He opened his mouth, a hoarse rasp escaping.
Maddie stepped forward, reaching for his hand and sinking into one of the chairs set up next to the side of his bed.
“Shh, Dad. It’s okay. You gave us quite a scare.”
His eyes widened as he tried to speak again. “What happened?” he rasped out, his voice barely above a whisper.
“You had a massive heart-attack, Dad. We nearly lost you. If it hadn’t been for Blake…” She turned, acknowledging him with a grateful smile.
Something warm puffed up inside of him as he basked in her appreciation. God she was beautiful. He leaned against the doorjamb, and shoved his hands in his coat pockets.
Warren grunted and tried to raise himself.
“No, Dad. Don’t move. You’re still hooked up.”
“Blasted machines,” Warren rasped with effort. He wheezed, pinning his eyes on Blake.
Blake shifted uncomfortably, fisting his hands in his pockets. Their last conversation had been… intense. He wasn’t seriously going to try and pick it up now? Maddie would kick the tar out of both of them if she discovered what had transpired.
“Don’t…don’t jes’ stand there like a ninny, Sinc…Sinclaire.”
Covering the distance to the bed in two steps, he settled himself next to Maddie, and stretched his hand around the back of her chair. “Near death has done wonders for your disposition, sir.”
A small smile broke across Warren’s face, and he wheezed out a cackle. He shut his eyes, still smiling. Even with the oxygen tube, his breathing remained labored. He raised his finger, waving it between the two of them. “Glad to see…. You two’ve worked things out… Maddie Jane.”
Wait. What?
Worked what out?
What was the old man playing at?
“Of course, Dad. I’m here as long as you need.” Maddie squeezed her father’s hand reassuringly.
Warren opened his eyes again, and looked straight at him. His blue eyes, the same intense hue as Maddie’s, penetrated Blake like a laser. “Our families… this fighting… So glad… over.” Warren sighed shakily.
The anesthetic must have rattled his brain. Or the meds.
“Daddy?” Concern laced Maddie’s voice. “Of course. Everything’s fine.”
“He’ll be good… husband… not like… Jake…”
She stiffened in her seat. “Dad… I don’t–”
Looking back, Blake could never say definitively what made him act so irrationally. It was like some unseen force propelled him to action. He leaned forward, clasped Maddie to his side, and patted Warren on the leg. “Of course, sir.” His hand gripped her shoulder tightly. “I’ll make her very happy. You have my word.”
Ooh, he would pay for this.
In this life or the next.
Of that he was confident.
Not that he had any intention of marrying Maddie Hansen. He didn’t. But maybe Warren seeing the two of them together was just what he needed to recover. And, it would buy him more time to figure out how to purchase his land outright from Warren.
Warren let out a contented sigh, his body visibly relaxing. He squeezed Maddie’s hand like it was a lifeline.
Maddie shot Blake a scathing glance, but he kept his poker face firmly in place. He had to admit, seeing her squirm was just the tiniest bit entertaining. He guessed that made him an a*s, considering where they were. But they’d sort this out soon enough.
She pointedly shrugged his hand off her shoulder and patted her dad. “I think we should go, Daddy.”
She slid another dagger-filled glance his direction, and Blake continued to keep his face bland. Even giving her a little half-smile, as if she was the love of his life.
Oh yeah.
She would come unleashed as soon as they left.
The fireworks would certainly be interesting.
“I think you’re not… yourself, Dad.” She leaned over the bed and placed a kiss on his forehead. “You need rest.”
Warren’s eyes were already shut, a small smile still curving his thin, pale lips. “Happy… Maddie Jane… Love… you.”
Warren was either overmedicated and off his rocker, or the wiliest damned sonofabitch he’d ever met. Either way, he was going to capitalize on Warren’s gift. Even if he regretted it later.
He was certain to regret it.
- Writer
