He’s wrong.
Micah opens the truck door, Axle climbs inside, and I follow Micah around to the driver’s side. I slide in and across the bench seat to him, grabbing his hand.
His fingers close around mine.
Neither of us says anything as Micah carefully navigates the short ride to my cabin.
He helps Axle out even though he insists he can do it himself.
“It looks worse than it is.”
“Yeah, well, I’m still making sure you get inside, or Jovie will kick my ass.”
Axle chuckles, which turns into a cough.
Micah drops him on the edge of the bed, and I follow him back out onto the porch.
“Thank you.”
He offers me a small, sad smile.
I start to cry again, and he wraps his arms around me.
“It’ll be okay, Jo. They’ll work it out. Cabe just needs to cool off.”
I nod into his shoulder.
I hope he’s right.
Jovie
Isit in the chair beside the bed, watching Axle’s chest rise and fall.
I slipped over to the clinic and brought back a stethoscope so I could listen to his lungs. The rib is definitely broken. Probably two ribs, but his lungs are clear. He’ll have another six weeks of healing, but he’ll be okay.
I gave him a dose of pain medication and something to help him sleep tonight, and I wait until it’s kicked in before I grab a sweatshirt, pull it on over my tank top, and slip out the door.
I drive to the ranch house and park in front.
Charli is seated on the top step.
I sent her a message an hour ago, asking if she would unlock the door.
She stands as I approach.
“He’s in his room,” she says.
“Thanks.”
She heads to the trail at the side of the house that leads to her cabin. She stops before she reaches it and calls back to me, “Jovie?”
I turn to her. “Yeah?”
“I know you’re angry about the fight, but take it easy on him, okay? He’s hurt.”
“I know.”
Her eyes flick to the front door as it opens, then back to me. “I warned him you were coming.”
