Page 20 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

Daisy filled the glass again and set it down for her. “I’m going, but I’ll be back in a few hours with more juice, Tylenol, and some food for you and Cole. Make sure she drinks something every time she wakes up. Call me if you need anything before then.”

Cole nodded. “Will do. Thank you.”

“No problem. I hope you feel better soon.”

“Thank you.”

A long moment of silence followed Daisy’s exit.

“Emily?” He smiled when she froze. “What are you thinking about?”

Emily tilted her head back and stared at his face.

“For starters, I-I’m wondering why you’re staying? Why you're even here? And why I’m on your lap?”

Cole snorted. “That’s a lot of wondering, but I can answer all of it. I want to be here and stay here, and I like you on my lap very much.”

A yawn pulled at Emily, and her eyes started to droop from exhaustion. “I don’t think you should do any of that.”

He thrust his fingers through her dull hair and pulled it away from her face.

“And I think I do, and I don’t think you have the energy to fight me at the moment, so go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Emily tucked her head under his chin again, coughed once and sighed.

“Thank you.”

Cole's hand cupped the side of her face and held it against his chest.

“Any time, honey.”

****

Cole held her until her breathing evened out and deepened. He lifted her and laid her back on the pillows, making sure she was covered, before standing by the side of the bed to watch her. Even pale with fever, splotched cheeks, and her hair tangled and matted, she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

He walked into the living room of the small cabin as he pulled his phone out.

“Hey, Neil. Don’t call me unless it’s an emergency. Emily is sick, so I’m going to stay with her.”

“No problem, boss. Daisy already told me about Emily. Poor lady. Call if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Neil.” Cole looked around the cabin. It was neat as a pin except for the desk in the corner. Her laptop lay in the middle amongst the stacks of books and papers. He walked back into the bedroom and sat down beside her on the bed. He brushed the hair from her face and laid the back of his hand against her forehead to find it hot and dry to the touch. He knew he had to be patient. It would take at least half an hour for the medication Daisy gave her to help.

He stood and walked around to the other side of the bed. He took his shirt off, but kept his jeans on. He lay down beside her on top of the blanket and tucked her against his body with an arm banded around her stomach.

“Shh, I’m right here,” he murmured when she fussed.

A streak of heat and contentment ran through him when she quieted instantly and relaxed against him.

Cole closed his eyes, tired from the previous hellish night and emotional day.

“I could get used to holding you like this every night,” he murmured against her ear.

He placed a light kiss on her hair and relaxed, letting sleep drag him down.

Chapter Twelve

Emily’s coughing woke them both an hour later. Cole helped her sit up until the coughing subsided. After he laid her back down, he reached over her to snatch the glass of juice off the nightstand.