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A while ago he’d heard them enter the clinic downstairs. He hoped Avery would come up and check on him so he could find out how it was going so far. But he hadn’t heard any sounds from below in a while, so they must’ve already left.
He turned his head—basically the only thing he could move without pain—into the pillow and breathed in Avery’s coconut-scented shampoo. He felt bad for taking her bed. But it was only one night and she’d been right. Just the thought of trying to squeeze onto that cramped couch made his back spasm. He took a sip ofwater from the straw of the bottle she’d left for him. He was dreading the moment when he’d have to go to the bathroom. The anti-inflammatory hadn’t helped much, but the painkiller she’d left had dulled the pain. It also made him sleepy.
Boots hopped onto the bed and curled up at his side. Wes checked his watch. It was time to call Lillian and let her know what had happened.
She picked up on the second ring. “I didn’t expect to hear from you tonight. You must not be far from town if you still have a signal.”
“That’s why I called. I haven’t left town at all. I’m afraid I threw out my back this afternoon.”
“Oh no. Are you okay?”
“Only if you consider being stuck flat on my back okay.”
“You poor thing. I wish there was something I could do. Did your doctor friend examine it?”
“She said it’s just a strain. This happened a few years ago down in Colombia, so unfortunately I’m familiar with the injury.”
“I remember Landon mentioning that in a letter. Well, at least it didn’t happen on the trail. And it’s not going to require surgery or a hospital stay.”
“No, just a few days’ bedrest. I’m sorry I’m getting delayed again.”
She chuckled. “What is it about that town? It just does not want to let you go.”
The words tweaked his heart. It did seem like someone was conspiring against his departure. Was there a reason for that? Or was it just dumb luck? And what did it mean that he was relieved to be staying in Riverbend with Avery?
Lillian updated him on her new job—she’d gotten theformal benefits and salary package and was thrilled with the offer. It was good to hear her sounding optimistic again. She’d even gone out with friends this past weekend.
He was laughing at one of her stories about that outing when he heard the apartment door opening. Avery and Dr.Chan must not have left for supper yet.
He wanted to rush off the phone, but Lillian was just wrapping up her story so he waited her out. Footsteps sounded in the living room and grew louder. But they were heavier and slower than—
A man appeared in the doorway. Cooper froze in place, eyes widening at the sight of Wes lying in his sister’s bed.
Wes’s stomach rolled. Of course it had to be Avery’s sheriff brother. In uniform. And he obviously hadn’t heard about Wes’s injury. He felt a strong urge to get to his feet—especially when Cooper’s gaze pinned him in place—but that wasn’t happening without a lot of pain and a heavy dose of humility.
“Wes, you still there?” Lillian voice cut through the tension.
He blinked. “Uh, yeah. Listen, I have to go. I’ll call you later, okay?” He didn’t digest the words as they signed off. He was too busy enduring the waves of suspicion rolling off Avery’s brother.
“What are you doing here?” Cooper asked as Wes disconnected the call. “I thought you were leaving today.”
“I wrenched my back when I was finishing the apartment. She’s got that doctor staying in the carriage house tonight, so here I am.”
Cooper seemed to weigh his explanation with no small measure of distrust. His sharp eyes took in the nightstand with the medication and now-watery ice pack. Then his gaze sweptover the scene, no doubt taking in the cat’s obvious affection for Wes.
“Yeah... here you are.”
“Look, man. I have a bad back and I wrenched it good. I’ll be out of her hair in a few days.”
“Seems I’ve heard that before.”
Wes gritted his teeth. Sucked feeling so helpless while Avery’s condescending brother stared down his nose at him. “I extended my stay to help her get the apartment finished. I’m not the bad guy here.”
“Well, I don’t know you, and it’s my job to be skeptical. All I know is you’re supposed to be long gone, but instead you’re lying in my sister’s bed, and she’s not here.”
Wes scowled. “You think I broke in and helped myself to her first-aid kit just for kicks?”
“I don’t know what your game is.”
