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“So are you,” she whispered back. Then catching her slip-up, she said, “I meant you’re mighty handsome yourself.”
He raised his hand and slid it behind her neck, tugging gently on it until her lips touched his. She melted into them, wanted to melt into him, but his lips were hot under hers. Even though she wanted more of his tender kisses, that would have to wait. Michael had a fever, and she needed to doctor him back to health. There would be time for kissing later. She hoped. Reluctantly, she raised her head.
“What’s wrong?” His eyes looked droopy, tired.
“Nothin’s wrong. It’s just that you’re hotter than the sun in July. You need to rest, Michael. Why don’t you finish undressin’ while I fetch you some vittles?” Her eyes wandered to his bare chest. “I’ll—I’ll be right back.” She fled the room.
Seeing his bare chest, she had a yearning to press her head against it, to hear Michael’s heartbeat in her ear, to be held next to it. To him. “Dear Lord, help me,” she prayed on the way to the kitchen. “Temptation is a mighty powerful thing. And right now, I’m being mighty tempted.”
Michael sat on the edge of the bed, dazed. The gentle feel of her hands as she ministered to him touched him deeply. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until he had no breath left. But he wouldn’t. Only deep, abiding love would induce him to go further. So if and when that happened, he wanted the moment to be special. For both of them.
It took every ounce of energy he had to remove his pants, climb into bed and bury himself under the covers. Selina said he had a fever, but a chill drove clear down into his bones.
Selina stepped into his bedroom holding a tray. She set it on the stand next to him before reaching over and grabbing the extra pillow. The one meant for his wife.
“Sit up a minute.”
He raised himself up.
As she placed the pillow behind him, Selina was mere inches from him. The verse he had read about temptation and fleeing it flashed through his mind. He closed his eyes to blot out the temptation before him.
The bed dipped. He opened his eyes.
“Here, sip some of this.”
“What is it?”
“Just drink it, Michael. I promise it will help break that fever of yours. Trust me.”
He took a sip and pushed it away, frowning. “Does this have alcohol in it?”
“Whiskey. Didn’t have moonshine or I’d have used it instead. Whiskey’ll have to do.”
Not being a drinking man, he hated the taste of whiskey, but she asked him to trust her, so he decided he would. He’d seen enough of her doctoring skills to believe she knew what she was doing.
“What else is in it?” He took another sip, cringing inside at the bittersweet taste.
“Tea, ginger and honey.”
Michael finished drinking the tea, feeling the warmth of it spreading into his body. Exhausted, he let his head flop back against the pillow.
“Ready to eat now?”
He didn’t have the strength to raise his arms, but he needed to eat to get his energy back. “Yes.”
“Tell you what. Why don’t ya let me feed you so you can save your strength.”
It had been a long time since someone had pampered him when he was sick, so he lay back and thanked God for the help and compassion Selina showered on him.
Selina reached for the bowl and spoon on the tray and settled the bowl under his chin before she laid the spoon to his lips. He opened his mouth and let her feed him.
Delicious was the only way he could think to describe the food. “What is that?”
“Chicken ’n’ dumplins. Looks like I picked a right fine day to fix it, too. It’ll help ya heal.”
She fed him one spoonful at a time. It didn’t take him long to fill up. Now all he wanted to do was sleep. His eyes drifted shut.
The bed shifted. His eyes opened to a slit.
Selina tucked the blanket around him and under his chin. “Sleep well, Michael.” She leaned down and kissed his cheek. Her lips felt cool next to his hot skin. “Iffen you need anything, you holler. Don’t you be gettin’ up, you hear?”
He nodded and closed his eyes.
Hours later, Michael woke up. His blanket was damp and he no longer felt hot. He let his eyes adjust to the dark room, wondering what time it was.
In a rocking chair next to his bed, Selina sat sound asleep. How long had she been there?
He took the opportunity to study her.
Her hair, gathered to one side, flowed down the chair, revealing a sleek neck, a graceful, feminine one.
His gaze slid to her heart-shaped face, her high cheekbones and her nice lips. The woman was not only beautiful, she was compassionate, nurturing and unselfish, as well.
