Page 67 of Theirs to Treasure

“Zee, it’s time to wake up. Do you feel good enough to eat something?” Chance whispered softly in her ear, causing tendrils of hair to blow and tickle her neck. Her stomach growled.

“I guess that answers the question.” Sam laughed.

“Let’s get you sitting up, Honey. Before you get anything to eat or drink, we have to take your temperature, okay?” They maneuvered her into a sitting position resting against Sam, while Chance placed the thermometer in her mouth. Before she ate, she so wanted to brush her teeth. Opening her mouth for Chance made her want to cringe. She rubbed her neck. It was killing her. As a matter of fact, her entire body felt like she’d been run over by a Mac truck. Chance pulled the thermometer out of her mouth and read it.

“Okay, it’s a little less than a hundred, so it’s down from last night,” he said. “Do you feel like some oatmeal or toast?”

“Maybe you’d like both, huh, Baby?” Sam asked. He reached up and brushed her hand away from her neck and started to rub her shoulders. God, his hands felt wonderful, it’s like he knew all the perfect places to rub.

“I’d really like to brush my teeth, then I’d like to know how I got here. The last thing I remember, I was sick at my house.” Josie stood up, then immediately plopped back down on the couch for two reasons. One, she realized she was naked. Why am I always naked around these two men? Two, she realized she was as weak as a kitten, and needed to get up a whole hell of a lot slower.

Chance grinned at her, and Sam looked concerned. She turned to Chance.

“So, explain to me why the hell I’m here, and not at my place.” She wrapped the comforter around her, trying to cover all the important bits.

“We hadn’t been able to reach you since Friday night. When we went to Sweet Dreams Saturday afternoon, Elise spilled the beans and said you’d gone to Florida and she expected you back on Tuesday. We figured you’d call us when you got back. When you didn’t, we went over to your apartment. That’s when we found you delirious with fever. You scared us to death.” Chance ran his fingers through his blond curls in frustration.

“Fine, I had the flu and I didn’t feel like talking! I just needed some alone time to get well. It’s not the first time I’ve been sick alone and had to take care of myself.” If she had to yell at him, she at least wanted some mouthwash.

“It’ll damn well be the last time!” Sam roared. “There will be no more leaving across the country without telling us and getting so sick you almost need to go to the hospital without calling us for help.” Josie pressed her back against Chance’s chest as Sam pushed into her space.

“I’m a big girl. I have been taking care of myself for years just fine,” Josie yelled back, hurting her head in the process.

“You’re one of the strongest and most capable people I’ve ever met, Baby,” Sam relented. “I’m just saying you have two people who want to be here for you, who want to make your life easier because they care about you. Now don’t yell anymore. You’re hurting your head.” He reached around her and massaged the back of her scalp in slow, soothing circles. Josie dropped her head onto his chest.

“Still want to brush my teeth,” she slurred into the muscled warmth of his chest.

“Give yourself a minute,” Chance said, as his hands began to knead her shoulders. Josie’s fingers released the blanket, giving Chance more to massage. These men have talent, she thought. She was never going to win an argument at this rate.

When her stomach growled again, they both slowly stopped their ministrations and got her back up to a sitting position. “Let me carry you to the bathroom,” Sam offered.

Josie laughed. “I have the flu, not a broken leg.”

“All right, let me walk you to the bathroom, so you can brush your teeth.” Sam smiled down at her.

“That’d be a no. Seriously, I’m fine.” She got up, then almost fell back down on her butt. She gave a rough laugh and looked up at too unsmiling faces.

“I’m carrying you,” Sam grated out.

“You can put your arm around me and help me to the bathroom,” Josie growled back.

“Josie—” Sam started.

“Sam, you of all people should know how important it is not to be treated like an invalid.”

She watched as he relaxed.

“You’re right. I wasn’t getting it. I’m sorry.” He offered his hand and she took it. Then as she gathered the blanket around her to stand up again, he wrapped his arm around her, and they started down the hall.

“I’ll start on a fresh plate of food for you,” Chance said.

“Thanks,” she smiled.

After Josie was done in the bathroom, she made her way to the bed and sat down.

“How about we just get you a nightie?” Sam pulled out one of the exquisite pieces of silk from the fourth drawer.

“Sam, can I just sleep in one of your shirts?” Josie asked.