Page 40 of Thaw My Heart

He stops pacing and faces me. “What if it happens again? What if someone else can’t get to you in time because you decide to do something stupid and impulsive?”

My heart caves at his words, like he’s physically punched me in the chest. He wants to report me to protect me, but in doing so, I could lose everything. Reckless people have no place working on such a well-known cattle ranch… but being here means everything to me.

I wanted to stay.

“I won’t,” I say, my voice shaking.

“Swear to me, Sadie.” He closes the space, placing his ballcap back on his head. Peering down at me. Warmth radiates between us. “Swear to me you’ll never be this reckless again.” His blue eyes pierce into mine.

“I swear,” I vow. “Please.”

He’s standing so close that his scent rushes through me, like fresh pine trees and rain. His eyes dart to my lips, and I wet them in response. “Fine,” he sighs, still staring.

The tension swells between us, and for a moment, I think he’s finally going to give in to this thing between us… but then a knock at the door sends my pulse racing.

Foxie barks at the abrupt sound.

“Who’s that?” I flinch, glancing at my handbag across the room where my handgun resides.

Who would be knocking at my door? How could he have found me already?

Kit sighs, making his way to the door. “I called a doctor.”

My mouth drops. “You, what?” A doctor would surely report my actions to Cole. I’m inevitably screwed.

But before I can reply or stop him from opening the door, Alaska steps through the threshold. She looks at me in the same way I’m looking at her. Confused. Wondering what the hell she’s doing here as she sways in the doorway. Light snow brushes against her long wool coat, trailing to the wooden floors. Foxie watches her with interest, staying near my heels.

“You called for me?” she asks, adjusting a large brown bag around her shoulders.

Kit points to me. “She fell into the river. Inhaled a lot of water into her lungs.”

“Oh,” Alaska’s face lights up with understanding. “How did she fall⁠—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Kit grumbles.

I’m relieved that he’s keeping quiet, at least for now. Although saying I gallantly dove into the river to save a baby calf would’ve been better for my ego than just I fell like some clumsy idiot.

She focuses on me for a second before turning back to him. “Kit, I’m only a vet. An animal vet. She needs a⁠—”

“Yeah, I know,” he interrupts. “But you’re the best we’ve got.”

Alaska hesitates, glancing between us.

“Please, I wouldn’t even ask…” his voice softens. “But I don’t have a lot of options right now. You’re the only one I trust. Can you just… do what you can?”

“Alright,” Alaska sighs, making her way towards me.

We sit on the couch, and Alaska pulls out a stethoscope from her bag, listening to the sounds of my heart for a moment before asking me to take deep breaths. I deeply inhale and exhale. In and out. In and out.

“There aren’t many corgis in town,” she murmurs.

I smile at Foxie, lying on the rug near the fireplace. “She’s a one of a kind. Just like me.”

Kit snorts at that, and I frown at him.

My chest feels tight with each breath. My bones still ache from the cold, but otherwise, I feel like Kit overreacted in calling her. There’s nothing wrong with me. I feel fine. However, the way Kit leans on the mantle of the fireplace, watching me with trained eyes, would say differently.

“You’re not worried about me, are you, Cowboy?” I tease, unable to help myself in this awkward situation.