“I was hoping you’d say that. Where will you sleep?” He asks as he walks slowly to the stairs.
“On the sofa. I want to be near Delta if she needs anything.”
Chase smiles at his son. “Yep, you got it bad, Son.”
“A lot of good that will do me. She may hate me after we tell her all of this.” Daniel runs a hand over his face in frustration.
“No chance, Daniel. I watched the two of you together, she has feelings for you. We just have to convince her that Montana is not out to kill her. Good night son. You come get me if you need me. This old man won’t hear anything once I hit the pillow.” Daniel watches him go and finishes his drink.
He grabs the keys from her backpack and hurries to the cabin to grab the dog's food. Rushing back to his house Daniel is struck by the need to be near her. It's not possible to have such possessive feelings over someone you only just met, but his heart tells him a different story.
Not sure how much food to give Sasha he dumps a big scoop of dog food into her bowl and fills the other with fresh water. Hearing the sound, Sasha comes running and sits pretty waiting for him to tell her she can eat. “Okay girl, you can eat.”
She cocks her head to look at him before deciding to trust him and eat. “Good girl, Sasha. You're one amazing dog.” He runs his hands over her back and walks to the bedroom to check on Delta. Looking down at her he whispers a prayer of thanks that she is safe and walks to the bathroom to take a quick shower.
Daniel returns to settle onto the couch near the fireplace and sleeps. Her moan wakes him instantly. She's thrashing about with the covers, struggling to free herself from her nightmare. He removes the covers, and softly comforts her. “It’s okay, Delta, you’re safe now.” The moment she hears his voice, her bright blue eyes open.
“Hurry, Daniel, you have to hurry,” she pleads.
“I will, take this,” he gives her a pain pill and sip of water before pushing her back to the pillow. “Lay down,” he guides her back down. She falls back to sleep with a sigh. Three more times she wakes, terrified, and each time it's his voice that calms her.
“It's coming! He's so fast. Sasha!” She yells, and Daniel is forced to grab her arms to keep her from hitting him.
“Delta, I'm here. The cat is gone.” Screw this he thinks, desperate to feel her in his arms, he climbs into the bed beside her. “Lay down with me.” He tugs her into his arms, and she curls into his chest with a sigh of contentment. “You found me?” She asks wide-eyed.
“Yes, I found you.”
“Good.” They sleep curled around each other while Sasha watches over them from the doorway. Tonight, she will guard him, while he guards Delta.
Chapter 8
Delta rolls over, and the scent of pine trees and Daniel surrounds her. She reaches for him in her sleep, but he evaporates like the morning fog on the mountains. Mountains, she thinks and frowns. Opening her eyes slowly she is staring at a large fireplace. Delta pushes up to her elbow and pain ripples through her neck, shoulder and collar bone. “Oh...” When she moves her leg, she gasps and rolls to her back, struggling to fight back the tears.
Sasha nudges the door open and brings with it the scent of morning coffee. Abby pokes her head inside carrying a tray with orange juice, a muffin and a glass of water. “Good morning, Delta,” she whispers and puts the tray on the side table.
“Abby? Where am I?” She murmurs and lifts her left arm to wipe away a stray tear.
“Um, you are at our house. We didn't want you to be alone after the accident,” Abby answers just as Daniel walks inside with a cup of coffee. Delta turns her head to look at him, and the memories rush in.
“Daniel?” she whispers, and another tear escapes and rolls back into her hair.
“Good morning, beautiful. Abby why don’t you take Sasha for a walk, use her leash and stay close to the house.”
“Okay, Dad,” she leaves quickly, and Daniel sits on the edge of the bed beside her.
Gently he brushes her tear away, “How bad's your pain?”
“Can you help me sit up?” She asks, ignoring his question.
Instantly he wraps an arm around her and lifts her to a sitting position. He props the pillow behind her and grabs a pain pill and juice. “Take this, it will help.”
Delta just stares at him. “Daniel, why am I here and not at the rental house?” she asks.
“It was late, and you were asleep. I was worried you would need help and not have it. I will take you back today.” Daniel answers sitting beside her.
“Oh,” the pain is robbing her of her breath. “Thank you. Can I have my cell phone, please? I need to call my boys and book a flight home.” Delta sighs and drops her face into her hands. Every movement cause pain to ripple through her shoulder and her leg is throbbing.
“I understand. Take this first,” he demands. “It will take the edge off and help with the pain.”
Delta looks up at him and takes the pill, with a sip of juice. “It’s not that I’m not grateful to you. Your family is amazing and to take in a stranger like this is… well, I am touched, but I'm not your responsibility.” She leans back and struggles to fight back her tears. Angrily, she wipes her tears and refuses to look at the beautiful cowboy beside
