Page 50 of Sudden Summer

“She’s your daughter…” I groaned.

“And you're my…” He set me on his bed, turning towards the bathroom.

“What?”

“My whole world,” he whispered, pressing his lips to my hair. Or maybe he didn’t. Everything felt warm and blurry, and I think maybe a little dizzy?

“You’re feeling dizzy?” Beau’s voice startled me, and my eyes popped open. He was holding a washcloth in his hand.

“You’re a magician. Don’t pop up and scare me like that…” I whined as I closed my eyes again. The bed dipped and the cool washcloth gently swiped across my forehead.

“I was talking to you the entire time I walked back in here, just so you know.”

“Grumpy cowboy. That feels nice…thank you.”

“Yeah, Chickadee. I am grumpy. But that’s okay. Cause I happen to know someone who is pure sunshine, and she seems to balance me right out.”

My eyes might have been closed, but I knew I still managed to scowl at him. “She sounds nice. I hate her.”

“Why?” he chuckled.

“You’re my grumpy cowboy.”

“Yeah, sweetheart. I am. Let me be grumpy while we get you out of these clothes. Think you want to try and go to sleep now?”

“Mhm.”

“Okay, give me one second.” I forced my eyes back open, watching as he walked over to the small closet, yanking a zip-up hoodie off the hanger. “Here, I’m going to try to be as gentle as I can. I don’t want to bang up your wrist more than it already is.”

“It’s fine.”

“I really want you to stop saying that, Birdie.” Beau pulled my top off over my head, slipping the hoodie over my now exposed skin.

“Mm. You gonna climb in this bed and make me?”

“If by make you, you mean hold you while you go to sleep, then yeah, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” His fingers danced along my stomach. “What should we do about these pants?”

“Take them off please.”

“Need shorts to sleep in? Or sweatpants?”

“I have undies on, don’t I?”

“Birdie…” The way he groaned made me smile. “Yeah, baby. You have panties on.”

“Good. Take my pants off. Now. Then sleep, please. With cuddles,” I mumbled, sinking down into the bed so he could pull my pants off without struggling. The comforter somehow magically moved over me, like a cloud. That was nice.

And then he was beside me. I rolled into Beau’s side, but his arms didn’t move to hold me closer.

“Hold me,” I begged.

“Is this okay?” he asked, his touch like a feather dancing around me. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You’d never hurt me. My cowboy always makes me feel safe,” I admitted. “I need a hug. Please?”

His arms finally tightened around me and my mind faded…

“I’m so fucking sorry he hurt you.” Beau’s anguish-filled words swirled in my mind as I finally gave in to sleep.