Page 67 of Taming the Wild Cowboy

“That’s understandable.” He was a bit nerve-racked himself. Taking her hand, he led her to the vinyl sofa where she’d been sitting when he arrived and pulled her down to sit next to him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

“I’m okay,” she said as she stared across the room.

“I know.”

“But it was one hell of a drive.”

“Did you obey all the traffic laws?”

She made a noncommittal noise deep in her throat, then dropped her head against his shoulder.

They sat in silence until Brooke’s future in-laws arrived fifteen minutes later. After they announced themselves to reception, Mac went to speak with them, explaining what she knew and offering assurances that everything was going to be okay. The parents took seats and Mac returned to where Trev now stood ready to head out the door.

“I think it would be best for Brooke if she didn’t have to face me on top of everything else that’s going on.”

Mac nodded her understanding, then stepped over to Mike’s parents to tell them she was leaving.

“Did you and Brooke work things out?” Trev asked as they left the hospital.

Maclyn nodded wearily. “I don’t think she’ll be working against me anymore.”

*

Mac kept hold of Trev’s hand as they crossed the well-lit parking lot to his truck, which was parked in a minuscule space. He’d been correct about Brooke not needing to come face-to-face with him in time of crisis. That was the kind of guy Trev was.

When they got into his truck, he asked if she wanted to get something to eat before hitting the road, and she shook her head. Food did not appeal. All she wanted was to get back to the ranch, see her little dog. Maybe sleep. It had been an exhausting evening.

She’d been totally in control on the drive to the hospital, talking most of the way in an attempt to distract Brooke, and when they arrived at the emergency room, she’d been the picture of calm efficiency, helping Brooke nail down exactly what was happening.

She’d started her call to Trev, asking for a ride home, with the same calm efficiency, only to have it disintegrate when she heard the genuine concern in his voice. Was she okay? That had been his first question.

He cared. He wanted her to care.

She did and it scared her to death.

They would talk. Soon. Right now, she simply wanted to stare at the dark highway in front of them and not think too deeply. Gather her wits, her strength. Shake off the strange happenings of the day.

Trev put a hand on her thigh, and she automatically covered it with her own, drawing a sense of strength from his warm touch. Sometimes it was best to simply be in the moment, appreciate it for what it was.

If you knew what it was.

“Trev?”

“Yeah?”

She hesitated for just long enough to put Trev on edge. “I have an answer to the question you asked me yesterday.”

His grip tightened briefly, then he relaxed his hand. “Can we talk when we get home?”

“Yes.”

“Promise not to chicken out?” he asked.

The guy understood her too well.

“I don’t chicken out. I come to my senses.”

He cast her a sideways yeah-right look, which was exactly what she needed. She squeezed his hand. “Promise.”