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“Vomiting?” she asked. “No, I didn’t throw up.” She smacked her lips, tasting something a little rancid. Wait, had she thrown up? She couldn’t recall.
The doctor glanced at Dax and back to her. “I believe Mr. Heaton witnessed at least one occurrence.”
She swung her attention to her side, giving herself another wave of dizziness followed swiftly by nausea. Sarah covered her mouth and shut her eyes, willing the nausea to dissipate. When she opened her eyes, she wasn’t surprised to find Dax still staring at her. She focused on taking deep breaths and finally found her voice. “You saw me throw up?”
His voice was soft, unexpected coming from his stone-like features. “When you sat up, you must have gotten dizzy. I don’t think you were fully coherent. You slept for most of the ride back. Brielle had to help you get changed out of your wet clothes.”
She looked down at her attire, finding herself in a nightgown that wasn’t her own. A blush crept up her neck and she pulled the covers more tightly around herself. She turned to the doctor. “Okay. So I have to be babysat, but then I’m good? Anything else?”
The doctor tucked his little pen flashlight into his pocket and nodded. “Based on the fact that you can speak coherently and your abrasion isn’t gushing, I’d say if you’re feeling better tomorrow, then you’re free to do what you want—within reason. You have to take it easy. Don’t overdo it.”
Sarah nodded. “Okay.” She shot a look in the sheriff’s direction. She didn’t know how this would affect her community service hours. It would probably mean doing extra work on the weekends so she could still leave this forsaken place by the end of summer. She took in a deep breath and settled into the couch.
The doctor, sheriff, and Zeke moved out of the room, leaving her alone with Dax. He remained by her side, not saying a single word. The whole thing was very unnerving. She fingered the edge of the blanket, rubbing her thumb over the coarse fabric. “I guess I should thank you again for saving my life.”
“You’re welcome.” His gruff voice was void of that softness from before. He’d returned back to that guy who didn’t seem to think she could do anything right.
She let her eyes flutter closed, hoping he’d take the hint and leave. But when she peeked in his direction, she was dismayed to find him sitting there. “What do you want, Dax?”
“You really scared me today, Sarah.”
She couldn’t imagine why. They weren’t close. He hadn’t shown even a sliver of interest in her. She glanced at him with a fresh set of eyes. He was definitely attractive in that brooding, smoldering sort of way. His dark hair and dark eyes were something she was usually interested in. It was the playful smiles that threw her off. He could be laughing at her one second and berating her the next.
But there was more than just physical attraction. He’d risked his own health and life to save her. Twice. What kind of guy did that? Her heart leaped once more. She wasn’t so naïve to think that he’d done any of that because he liked her. She’d seen the way he looked at Brielle. No one had ever looked at her like that.
No, Dax wasn’t interested in her. He was probably just one of the last decent guys left in the world. That was far more likely than some kind of chemistry.
“Well, you don’t have to be scared anymore. I’m home safe, and you can bet that I willneverget on a horse again.”
“Over my dead body, you won’t.”
Her eyes flew open, and she stiffened. “What? You’re kidding.”
He shook his head, rubbing his hands together in a slow, thoughtful way. “If I had been there, this wouldn’t have happened.”
She huffed. “Unless there’s some magical power you possess that you’re not telling me about, Dax, you can’t control every animal on the premises. They’re going to do what they’re going to do.”
“True, but I would have been there to help you right away. And if you think that never riding is going to solve this problem, you’re mistaken.”
This time she laughed, and goodness, did it hurt. “Of course it will solve my problems. If I don’t get on another horse, then this won’t ever happen again. I’llliterallynever fall from a horse if I don’t ride another one.”
He frowned. “And if I let you think that, then the next time something goes wrong, you’ll just run from it like you’re trying to do now.”
“Why does it matter? You’re looking at this so backward. You’re not the boss of me.”
He lifted his mouth into a half-smile. “Technically, I am. And if I say you need to be on a horse, you dang well better do it.” He rose to his feet and stared down at her. There was something just beyond his eyes that she couldn’t read. Whatever it was that he was trying to hide from her, it was working. There was no way she’d be able to break into his mind.
It didn’t matter. Not really. It was probably something to do with how she was just a bad cowgirl. She wasn’t meant to be here, and he was finally realizing it.
Only a matter of time. They all would figure it out eventually.
10
Dax
It took everything in Dax’s power to walk out the door of the Callahan house and head toward the wrangler’s cabin. And he couldn’t figure out why.
Even the doctor had said she’d be okay. Brielle said she’d keep an eye on her tonight since they shared a room. He wasn’t needed.
