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“I’m sorry that you had to go through that.” Wade’s voice was quiet as his eyes dropped to his lap for a moment.
“It made me stronger.” I squeezed his hand. “I don’t need a bunch of sympathy. I’ve been just fine—and I wassoclose to making it to Arizona.” My tone lightened as I teased Wade, nudging him through the covers. “And now I’m laid up sick in some ungodly huge mansion that feels like I’m sleeping in a museum.”
“It’sawful, isn’t it?” Wade chuckled, dimples forming as he smiled. “I don’t know why my mom insists that we live in a place that you feel like you can’t touch anything.”
“I don’t know how you do it.” I glanced around the room, noting the abstract paintings on the wall. “There’s nothing about it that makes me feel...”
“At home?”
“Yeah. I guess that’s the right word for it.” I eyed him, wondering if he was about to have some smartass remark to say about it. “But I didn’t grow up in a place like this.”
“It doesn’t matter how you grow up. I don’t think it feels like home either.” He laughed, the deep gravel of his Texas drawl relaxing my body. “I do know one way that helps, though.”
“And what’s that?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“Not being stuck alone in a dark bed all alone for days on end.” He stood to his feet then, and walked around to the other side of the bed. Wade flipped back the covers and slid in, careful not to stir Takoda, who had gone back to sleep.
“I don’t want to pass what I have to you...” I scooted away from him as he went to put his arm around me.
“Oh, stop.” Wade chuckled. “We swapped spit the night before you got sick, and we share a bathroom. I’m either going to catch it, or I have the immune system of champions.”
“Well, I guess that’s one way to look at it.” I inched back toward him, his masculine scent filling my nostrils. Surprisingly, it didn’t make me nauseous.
In fact, the warmth of his body against mine was comforting.
“I don’t care if you get me sick,” Wade said, his voice gentle. “I guess it can just be a good way for me to get out of having to work tomorrow.”
“Work?” I tilted my head back from his chest to gaze up at him.
“Yeah, someone has to take care of the cattle and horses.” He let out a sigh and ran his hand down his face. “I can only imagine what the flooding is like out there.”
“The rain hasn’t stopped since we got back here.” My eyes drifted to the window, the rain droplets running down the outside of the glass. It was nearly dark out, but I could still see them, the candlelight in the room flickering against the pane. “I wonder how long it’ll last?”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I haven’t listened to the radio to get any weather updates. I’ve been a little preoccupied keeping my guest alive.”
“Your guest?” I laughed. “I’m assuming that you mean me, right? Because you could have a million guests in this massive house and no one would know—you know, for all you know, someone could’ve snuck in and are nowlivingin your house. You’d never know.”
“Okay, well, first off,” Wade began, running his fingertips down my exposed arm. “There is no way in hell anyone would make it in this house without someone knowing. My parents have cameras at every entry point of the house—and theycheckthem.”
“It could still happen,” I reasoned, shrugging. A chill came over my body at the motion, and I squeezed my eyes shut, clinging to Wade for a moment as I shivered. He rolled to his side, pulling me in tightly against him.
“I’m so sorry you’re sick, Chey.” He stroked my hair, his head resting against mine as he held onto me. “Hopefully, it’s just a virus and it’ll pass.”
“Yeah,” I mumbled into his chest, letting the fatigue wash over me. I had been sleeping off and on all day, but hadn’t felt comfortable until that very moment in Wade’s arms.
“I’ll make sure you get the means to leave when you’re feeling better,” Wade murmured, his voice at a near whisper.
I nodded, though it felt like a lump was beginning to grow in my throat. Iknewthat I was going to have to leave, and I had no idea why my emotions were suddenly feeling all over the place.
I’m just sick. It’s just the fever.
But my thoughts didn’t feel like the truth. As much as I hated to admit it, I was beginning to develop feelings for Wade. I wasn’t sure how deep they went, either.
Maybe it’s just a crush.
I pursed my lips as I nestled up in Wade’s arms, not convinced that I had any idea what was happening. After all, Iwasrunning a fever. I could’ve easily been slipping a little because of that...
“Do you have any other siblings?” Wade asked me, his voice rousing me from the sleepy state I was fading into.
