5
LESS THAN TWENTY-FOUR hours after Claire Windsor arrived to make his life hell, Mateo navigated onto the main strip of Fredericksburg with his blond passenger leaning forward as though she were attempting to memorize every building. The silence stretched between them, and Mateo thought he should leave well enough alone. It had taken ninety minutes to reach the rental facility drop-off—which had turned out to be a parking lot behind a shop hosting wine country tours. Though Claire had clearly been interested in the shop’s products as well as the tourist options, she hadn’t lingered.
He might be better off not speaking for the rest of the trip. So why, then, did he ask, “Is this your first time in the States?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “I’ve been all over the Continent several times, and to South Africa once. I’ve never been here, though. It’s so odd—the town reminds me of these little places in Germany. Even the name.”
“Makes sense,” he said, spotting an open parking spot ahead. Instead of following the road to leave town, he pulled in and parked. “German settlers named the town for Emperor Frederick of Prussia.”
“German settlers?” Surprise arched through her tone. Even after his stint in the Marines and four overseas deployments, it was easy to forget that those who weren’t born in Texas hadn’t been raised on Texas history.
“C’mon,” he said as he reached for the door handle. His back twinged a little. He should have stretched more after the long drive in, but he’d been eager to get back to the ranch. For some reason, though, his eagerness seemed to have waned. Maybe it was her company—she’d actually turned out to be quite funny. Maybe it was the fact that when she looked at him, he didn’t detect even a glimmer of pity. His parents always seemed worried. Tanner’s brows tightened and his jaw flexed as though he had to physically restrain himself from offering assistance. Even Jules tended to go a little clinical when she studied him. “Let’s find a beer—or tea.”
Not arguing, Claire slid right out and followed him. Her only concession after the training earlier had been to change into a pretty little dress before they’d left. The bright blue with its simple white polka dots and cap sleeves was delightfully feminine and matched her eyes to near perfection. “Do you think we can really find a good cuppa tea?”
He couldn’t fault her skepticism, because the chances of doing so were slim to none. “We can ask. They’ve added a lot of little niche shops here.” The town’s appeal to local and foreign tourists alike lay in the embedded history of the region, coupled with the charm of the shopkeepers. “It’s a little old world meets Lone Star State.”
Excitement warmed her eyes, and she bit down on her lower lip. The movement drew his attention to her pretty mouth. After watching her work with Sin, and win some points with the unruly filly earlier, Mateo didn’t let Claire’s delicate, creamy complexion—sunburned or not—fool him. She possessed a canny side and didn’t seem opposed to using it. She’d also never known the man he’d been before—couldn’t see how much less he was now.
This was a good thing. Right?
“Then by all means,” said Claire, pulling him back to their conversation, “let’s explore while you tell me about German settlers.”
Thank you, Mrs. Heard. His junior high teacher would be highly entertained to discover he’d actually paid attention in between naps in her class. “The town was founded in 1846 and named after the Prince of Prussia. Locals still call it Fritztown. The settlers included a number of liberal, educated Germans fleeing social, political, and economic hardship. The town founder was actually a baron, but he renounced his title just to become a Texan. I think he got the better end of the deal.”
Claire laughed, and her husky, throaty chuckle pinged through him. “Spoken like a true Texan, I imagine.”
“Born and bred.” He winked as they paused in front of Adelaide’s Tea Shop. It had been a dog’s age since the last time he’d had a reason to come to Fredericksburg. The drive alone could be brutal. Thankfully, his back had been damn cooperative. He could afford to indulge the Brit in her passion for tea. As he opened the shop door, a bell rang out a merry welcome, and a wild profusion of scents rushed out from the cooler air.
With another quicksilver grin, Claire hurried inside, leaving Mateo to follow. He removed his hat and stomped his booted feet on the outdoor mat. They were mostly clean, but it didn’t hurt to make sure he wouldn’t track any mud or barn dirt inside.
It also gave him a moment to catch his breath. The hard slam of his booted heel to the ground sent a shock up his spine. Gritting his teeth against the possibility of pain, he moved slowly after her. The shocks quieted by his third step, and then only tingles remained. The interior of the shop included a counter for ordering, with a case boasting pastries, cakes, and cookies. Over the counter was a sign crowded with the names of different types of tea.
“Damn.” Mateo exhaled as he reached where Claire studied the board. “I had no idea there were so many kinds of tea.”
“They have a lovely selection, but tea comes from all over the world.” The moment she spoke, the woman behind the counter lit up. She gave them a wide smile.
“Welcome to Adelaide’s! If you don’t mind the recommendation, one of our most popular teas is the Sweet and Spicy.”
“For tea?” The incredulity resounding within Claire’s perfectly polite tone amazed Mateo. He couldn’t fault her manners, even when he got a little surly with her. Yet she still managed to make two syllables ring with doubt.
“Absolutely,” the young woman, whose name tag read JANET, said. Unperturbed by the question, Janet reached for what turned out to be a small ceramic teapot. She poured a measure of the tea into a demitasse cup, then passed it over. “I always recommend a hot sample without lemon and honey in it, so you can get a true taste for the tea. It’s an aromatic yet sweet cinnamon tea with hints of orange.”
Lifting the small cup, Claire didn’t take a drink immediately. Instead, she sniffed the steam rising from it, much like Mateo’s mother inhaled the scent of a bottle of wine after she opened it. Curious as hell, Mateo leaned against the display case, careful to distribute his weight. The tingles had ignited a minor spasm, but focusing on Claire’s sampling while keeping his breathing under tight rein distracted him.
The last thing he needed was to land on his ass in the middle of the shop.
As lightly as a bird, Claire took a sip of the tea. Wearing an unreadable expression, she paused, then took another sip, this time with her eyes closed. Mateo would have paid money to know what went on in her mind as she savored the taste. Eyes open, she took a third sip, more casually this time, and her expression lightened.
Huh. She liked it.
“It’s wonderful! Very unexpected. The orange is not there at all until after you’ve swallowed. The after bite is tremendously pleasant.”
Janet practically glowed under the praise. “Would you like a full pot to share between you?”
Mateo would rather have had his teeth drilled. Taking some extra time had been his idea. Admittedly, he was enjoying himself, but he drew the line at hot tea. A man had to have some standards.
“That would be lovely, but I think my friend might prefer one of your cold teas.”
He had to give her points—she’d managed to say the last part without a grimace.
“Or perhaps you’d like a beer?” Claire asked, motioning him toward the cold case at the other end of the counter, which offered a selection of unfamiliar beers and ales.
“We have a great microbrewery up the way.” Janet leaped back into the conversation. “They have a brand they brew specifically for Fredericksburg that we don’t ship out. It’s called Nobleman’s Brew, for the Nobleman’s Society. Since you’re both new, I’d be happy to add a bottle for you to sample at no extra charge.”
“You’re lovely, thank you.”
Instead of echoing Claire’s gratitude, Mateo raised his free hand, an apology on his lips. “Thank you, ma’am, I appreciate the offer, but iced tea suits me fine.” He still had to drive, and he might need one of his pills. Alcohol and his meds did not mix.
“All right then, how about I sack up two bottles so you two can take them with you to try later? I would hate for you to miss the opportunity to sample some of Fredericksburg’s best.”
It was hard to say no to such an offer, and he didn’t have to. Claire nodded. “Brilliant, truly. Do you have any cakes you would recommend that are ideal for the tea?”
“I think I just might be able to manage that.” The Texas twang of welcome resonated with every word Janet spoke. “Why don’t you both take a seat, and I’ll get a fresh pot brewing for you?”
“Would you like anything to eat, Mateo?” Turning to glance at him, Claire studied his expression. “My treat.”
“You don’t have to do that.” It didn’t sit right with him to let a lady pay. Even if he hadn’t wanted the lady around in the first place. “It was my idea to stop.”
“I insist, and I’ll ask you to kindly allow me the privilege. You’ve done me a lovely favor, and I’d like to repay it in some small way.”
Damn, she made it hard to say no. “If you insist.”
“I absolutely do.” Clearly pleased, she glanced around the shop. It was filled with small wooden tables, which would have looked perfect inside a dollhouse, and tiny wooden chairs with three legs. He wasn’t entirely certain they’d hold his weight. “Do you mind if we sit nearer the window?”
“Go for it.” He motioned with his hat hand toward a table. She weaved through the chairs to sit down. The shop was mostly empty, so at least Mateo didn’t have to endure stares as he limped carefully after her. Every step sent another shock along his spine. Why the hell had he decided to stomp his feet? He could have just brushed them off.
Swallowing his irritation, he caught her chair as she began to slide it out and held it for her. The astonishment in her expression didn’t help his mood, but he went for a tight smile and then nudged the chair in as she smoothed down her skirt and sat.
Once she settled, he dropped his hat on an empty chair and eased onto the chair opposite her. Torture devices would have been kinder, but he could endure it. After sliding her purse strap onto the back of the same chair holding his hat, Claire clasped her hands and glanced out the window.
“I think I shall have to come back on my day off and explore the town.” She had her hands in her lap, but she hadn’t taken her gaze off the window. “It’s adorable.”
Despite his discomfort, Mateo chuckled. “I’ve heard towns called plenty of names, but that’s a new one.”
“It’s charming, and I’ve already spotted at least three shops I want to venture into.”
Checking his watch, Mateo suppressed an internal sigh. He might have regretted making the offer, but he couldn’t resist her animated interest. “We don’t have to rush back. Mac has evening feed.”
“I haven’t met a Mac yet.”
“You wouldn’t, he’s a floater—goes to high school in Durango Point. He’s only free in the late afternoons and early evenings. We hired him last spring when he was a junior. He comes out in the evening, does the feed, and picks the stalls if they need doing. Jules or Tanner will swing by while he’s working and make sure he’s got everything he needs.”
“That’s a wonderful way to involve someone in horses and help them out at the same time.” She looked like she would have said more, but Janet delivered a tall glass of iced tea with a lemon wedge on the side for him, and a steaming teapot and cup for Claire.
“I brought both lemon and honey, as well as milk and sugar.” Janet identified the items as she set them on the table. “That way you can mix it up to your liking.” Then she added a wedge of cake to the center of the table along with two forks. “This is our angel food with raspberry cream. The frosting is gentle and not too sweet. It’s a little sharp for some, but I think it pairs beautifully with the tea.”
“Thank you.” Claire beamed, the wattage in her smile warming Mateo, even if it wasn’t directed at him. “I think it looks delicious.”
Glancing at Mateo, Janet asked, “Are you sure I can’t get you something else? A sandwich or maybe some of the banana nut bread? It’s homemade.”
Did he look like the banana nut bread type? “The iced tea is fine, thanks.”
“Sure thing, hon. If either of you need anything else, just give me a shout. Enjoy your tea.” Then Janet hurried away while Claire opened the top of the ceramic pot and smiled happily.
“I take it she did something right with the tea?” It was a guess, but Claire’s eager nod confirmed his idea.
“It was properly brewed in a pot, after she boiled the water. It smells fantastic.” The transformation she’d undergone since walking into the shop was well worth the pain he was currently experiencing. “I do insist you share the cake with me. If I eat all of it, I shall completely spoil supper.”
“You barely touched your lunch.” A fact he’d noticed when they’d stopped at the big house after she’d changed to let his parents and the Colonel know they were going to be off the ranch for a few hours. His mother had fixed chili and corn bread. He’d eaten plenty, but she’d been careful of her bites.
“If I tell you a secret, will you promise not to tell your mother?”
Intrigued, he nodded.
“I’m afraid the chili was terribly hot.” The downturn of her lips as she grimaced emphasized her distaste. “I tried, but I’m afraid I just didn’t care for it.”
“There’s no shame in that; just tell Mama next time. She’ll make something else.” His mother lived to cook.
“That would have been terribly rude.” She poured her tea into the china cup, and then added a single sugar cube and a splash of milk. Stirring it slowly, she shook her head.
“It’s great deal more rude to go hungry when all she wanted to do was feed you.” He regretted the criticism almost immediately, as Claire looked stricken.
“I wouldn’t have wanted her to go to all that trouble for me. She’d already made a meal and everyone else seemed to be enjoying it. You had three bowls.”
Mateo laughed. “I grew up on Mama’s cooking. I also know Mama loves to take care of others. She’d be beside herself if she thought you went hungry because you were too polite to turn down food you didn’t like.”
After taking a sip of her tea, Claire appeared to consider his words. “Perhaps I shall do better next time.”
She was already doing better. She’d presumed there would be a next time, and knowing his mother, there was no doubt she would invite Claire to multiple meals. “Good,” he said, then nudged the cake toward her, the action needed to test the tightness across his shoulders and to encourage her to eat.
Fresh lances of pain dug into him. Dammit, the day had been going well. He couldn’t afford the agony at the moment. Pain pills were in his truck, but if he took them, it would make the drive home a thousand times more difficult. No way he’d risk Claire to his driving under the influence of anything.
He’d just have to suck it up.
Stretching his left leg out, he attempted to remove the pressure from his back. “Dig in; let’s see how well it matches with the tea.”
“This is heavenly,” she said, taking another sip, then glancing toward Janet. Their hostess bustled over to them immediately.
“What do you think?”
“I adore this! I don’t suppose you sell the brand? I’d love to take some back with me.” She set her cup back on the saucer and drew the cake toward her as she spoke.
“Would you prefer loose-leaf or bagged?”
“Whichever is easier, though truth be told—loose-leaf would be ideal.”
“I can absolutely do that. I’ll get some ready for you, all right?” Janet’s enthusiasm matched Claire’s. She hustled away, leaving them alone again, and Mateo shook his head.
“What?” Claire asked, pausing with her forkful of cake almost to her lips.
“Just amused, is all.” He claimed his iced tea and took a long drink. Even lifting the glass activated a fresh wave of shocks through his system. Double damn.
“Hmm,” she said, her eyes narrowing with skepticism. Then she shrugged and completed her bite. The absolute delight that kindled in her eyes as her expression relaxed sent an entirely different bolt through his system.
Claire’s eyes drifted closed, a hint of frosting on her lower lip riveting Mateo’s attention as her mouth moved. The whole act of her eating took on a level of sensuality he’d never experienced. Groaning, she licked her lips, then slid the fork in for another bite. The sound vibrated through him, and, unlike with the spasms in his back, he experienced a rush of near pleasure.
“You have to try this,” she commanded, extending the fork toward him. Opening his mouth obediently, he locked his gaze on hers. The same fork had just brushed her lips. Too sweet by half, the cake seemed to melt on his tongue, and then he tasted the richness of the frosting. Tartness cut through the sweetness and elevated it.
His eyes widened. Sweets weren’t usually his thing, but the cake was amazing.
Looking pleased, Claire grinned. “It’s ambrosia—I think the lovely Janet is a witch, and we’ve wandered far from the path, Hansel.”
Mateo chuckled. The cake was all that and more. “Never fear, Gretel,” he said, teasing. “I’ve got more than bread crumbs to get us out of here.”
The lovely woman across from him glowed as she suppressed a giggle. “I don’t know if I want to be rescued.”
The corners of his mouth continued to curve. Grinning felt alien these days, but he didn’t examine too closely the need she awoke in him. “As long as I’m here, you won’t need rescuing.” The promise held the element of an oath. He hadn’t asked for her to come to Round Top, and if he’d had his way, she’d already have been on a plane out of here.
For the first time since he’d met her, he realized what a loss that would have been.
Fortunately, Tanner wasn’t there to remind him that the former captain had been right to twist his arm.
Surprisingly, Claire found Mateo to be a very pleasant companion. His reaction to her arrival the day before notwithstanding, he was a funny guy. Even better, he was a guy who listened, which was rare indeed. They spent an hour in the tea shop. In addition to the Sweet and Spicy blend, Claire purchased two other samples of tea. Janet added a fourth because she wanted Claire to try it. Claire also bought a whole angel food cake with raspberry cream frosting. When Mateo looked at her askance, she defended the purchase.
“I’ve been invited to two meals at the main house, and if there’s a third, which you’ve already assured me there will be, I want to bring this dessert.”
He laughed, then pulled out his wallet and insisted on paying half the cost of the cake. When she started to protest, he stopped her. “She’s my mother, and it never hurts to score ‘good son’ points.”
Understanding his reasoning, she agreed, but only let him help pay for the cake—she paid for everything else. Janet packed the cake into a cold storage bag with an ice pack so that it would keep for the long drive back. The shopkeeper was full of brilliant ideas. Once the bags were packed, Mateo insisted on carrying them.
When he picked up the bags, a grimace passed over his face. It was so swift, she thought she might have imagined it. Then he pushed open the door and braced it for her while he switched the bags to one hand, tucking his hat back on his head. The lines around his mouth and eyes tightened.
“Are you all right?” she asked as soon as the door closed and he fell into step next to her.
“I’m fine.” The answer held the snap of anger in it.
Anger? Or pain? Not pressing him, she continued toward the truck. He had to fish the keys out of his pocket. Making a pretense of searching for something in her purse, she kept careful watch on his expression. A scowl contorted his brow until he finally retrieved his keys.
He was definitely in pain. Had he been in pain the whole time they’d sat inside the shop? Why hadn’t he said something? Once he finally unlocked the truck, she opened the passenger door.
“I thought you wanted to take a walk around town.”
Reminded of her earlier statements, she fumbled for an excuse. “It’s much later than I thought it was.”
Mateo glanced at his watch, drawing her attention to the muscled strength visible in his forearms. “It’s not that late. If you want to look, let’s take a walk.”
Hesitating, she searched for a reason to decline that didn’t involve pointing out his obvious distress without embarrassing him. He set the cake behind the driver’s seat, then added the bag with her tea.
Latching on to the idea, she said, “What about the cake? Won’t it get too warm in the truck?”
“It’ll be fine, Claire.” The low timbre of his voice, coupled with his using her Christian name for the first time, sent a skitter of awareness through her. Despite the heat, goose bumps rose on her arms. “Trust me. We have time to take a walk and look at the shops.”
He closed the door, so she mirrored the gesture.
“Besides,” he continued, returning to the sidewalk and waiting for her, “you mentioned you want to come back on a day off. Better to make sure there’s plenty for you to see rather than finding you wasted the day, you know?”
No, she didn’t know, but she did accept his reasoning as sound. “All right, we’ll window-shop.” It was a compromise. “Then I can make a list of what I might want to explore and we won’t spend too much time in any one shop. I’m not sure you’d care for the dress shop over there.” She pointed to the vintage clothing store. There were two hats in the front window she already wanted to try on.
“I don’t know.” Mateo surprised her when he paused to study the shop’s main window. “I think I can carry off the lace hat.” His droll delivery disconcerted her, and she couldn’t contain her mirth.
“If you really insist, I think the lace might be too much. For Derby season, you’d want the red hat.”
“That huge thing?” He actually appeared to consider it.
“Darling, have you never seen a Derby?” The rule seemed to be the larger the hat, the bigger the splash.
“We have derbies here, you know.” They moved on from the vintage shop, the next one offering any number of candies. Neither paused there.
“Even on my side of the pond I know the one in Kentucky is quite famous.” Antiques filled the next shop, and Mateo paused. Following his gaze, she eyed the classic buggy hitch. “I haven’t seen one of those outside of the telly.”
“I’m going to check it out for a minute. Do you mind?” The man had a gift for disarming her and catching her off guard. The shop seemed crammed with items—some of them rubbish, but there might be gold among the dross.
“Not at all.” She reached for the door before he could, and held it open for him.
“Ma’am.” A faint smile creased his lips and he doffed his hat as he stepped inside. It might have been a little sneaky on her part, but he had a habit of staying at her side or ushering her ahead of him. She wanted to check his gait. One step into the antique store answered her question.
A limp kept him just slightly off-balance. He favored his left leg, and he held his back absolutely still with each step. How much pain was he in? Mateo didn’t waste time; he went to stand opposite the window display and began to examine the hitch.
Making her way through the shop, she pretended to scrutinize everything from chairs to artwork while keeping an eye on her companion.
“Good afternoon,” a man greeted them as he entered from beyond a curtained doorway behind the register. “Can I help you find anything?”
“How long have you had the surrey shaft?” Mateo asked.
“About three months. I purchased it at an estate sale outside of Abilene. They’re straight grain hickory, and I have a single tree and evener in the back.” The man hurried over, likely sensing a potential sale. Mateo continued to inspect the surrey shaft.
“What about the surrey itself? Or wagon?”
“Unfortunately, the surrey was rotting. The gear had been stored, but the surrey was in a run-down garage. Rain and mildew pretty much did the rest.”
Tapping his hat against his thigh, Mateo nodded, though his disappointment was evident. The action with his hat seemed a bit of a nervous tic—or a distraction. Claire ran her finger around a porcelain bowl in an old washstand. The bowl’s detailing was quite elegant, likely hand-painted.
“That’s a great find,” the shop owner called. “Nineteenth century, and it belonged to Madame Belle.”
“Colorful,” she answered, distracted by trying to keep an eye on Mateo in the antique mirror. It needed a good polishing to clear away the cloud of dust that had settled on it.
“May I see the other pieces that go with this?” Mateo asked, turning with an awkward stiffness. He didn’t move from the waist up; instead, he let his legs shift his direction.
Concern sweeping through her, she abandoned the pretense of looking through the rubbish to join him.
The shopkeeper nodded, then said, “Sure, just give me a minute.”
Alone with Mateo again, Claire couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. Folding her arms, she studied him. “What are you thinking?” She hadn’t noticed any wagons at the ranch, but she’d only been at the training barn—they certainly had plenty of other places to hide the gear.
“Haven’t decided yet,” he admitted, but he stroked his fingers along the grain of the shaft. “It’s in excellent shape, and it’s hard to find one not broken or worn too thin by age.”
Their host returned with the items and set them down on the counter, requiring Mateo to leave the window display and cross the shop. With so many things stacked throughout the place, he was forced to squeeze through tight spaces to reach the register. More than one twist followed by a ragged breath from Mateo had Claire holding her own breath.
Stubborn man.
After inspecting the items, Mateo braced his hands on the counter. “The crossbar isn’t from the same set—the evening bar is.”
His doubt didn’t sway the owner. “May not be from the same original gear, but they may have broken the first crossbar. I have letters of authenticity for all of the pieces, including photographs from where they were stored.”
“How much individually?”
What followed was a most fascinating exercise in haggling, as Mateo talked the antiques dealer down several hundred dollars if he agreed to buy all three pieces. With a worn, if playfully defeated demeanor, the dealer agreed grudgingly.
“How about I throw in the washstand for another thousand?” At the offer, Mateo actually glanced at Claire, and she shook her head hurriedly.
“I’m fine, I promise.”
With the corners of his eyes crinkling, Mateo said, “You sure? You could have a piece of Texas history right there in the guesthouse.”
“I’m absolutely certain. I’m sure the Madame won’t mind that I’ll pass.”
“You heard the lady,” Mateo said, fixing his gaze on the dealer. Just like that, negotiations were over. He pulled out a credit card and paid for his purchases. After, he insisted on carrying the bars out to the truck by himself. When Claire offered to help, he assured her he was fine.
Even running ahead of him to open the door didn’t seem to ease his burden. The limp grew more pronounced with every step. Claire winced as he lifted the items into the truck bed. Then he returned to the shop for the surrey shaft.
“I’m helping this time,” she informed Mateo as she followed him, then held up her hand when he opened his mouth. “It’s long and awkward, and I think it will be swifter if we lift it together.”
The dealer held the door this time, but he didn’t offer to help. The shaft was much heavier than Claire had expected, but then again, it was solid wood. Even as she tried to take on more of the weight, Mateo didn’t let her.
By the time they loaded it in the truck bed, Mateo was sweating profusely, and his breathing had taken on a pained note.
“That’s it, I can’t stay silent any longer.” She covered his hand where he’d gone white-knuckled gripping the tailgate. “How can I help?”
He didn’t look at her, just kept forcing one breath after another. Finally, he pushed out, “Glove compartment. Muscle relaxers. Painkillers.” Ignoring the awkwardness of the action, she slid her hand into his pocket to retrieve his keys. Desperate to not cause him any further pain, she hooked the keys with one finger and tugged them out.
A minute later, she’d located the prescription bottles—there were five of them. She recognized one of them—an antidepressant; another was for nerves or seizures. . . . Good Lord, how bad was he? Reading the labels, she found the muscle relaxer and pain reliever. Stretching across the seat, she grabbed a bottle of water and carried all of it back to him.
Mateo hadn’t moved. Opening the bottles, she only asked, “How many?”
“One and one—I have to be able to drive.”
“Nonsense, I can do it—if you’ll let me help.”
He turned his head slowly and her heart ached at the tense state of his face. Grim and foreboding, and so much like the night before she wanted to kick herself. He’d been in agony while she’d prattled on.
“Please?” She tapped out two of each and held them out to him. Releasing the tailgate, he turned until he could lean sideways against the truck; then he accepted the pills. Claire opened the water bottle before handing it to him. He stared at the pills, then at her again.
“I have a GPS in the truck.” He enunciated each word slowly. “We’ll plug the address in—if it tries to take you down SH5, skip that one and take the next exit. Sometimes it likes to add unnecessary miles.”
Every word seemed to cost him. “Anything you say. Go ahead and take those, and then we’ll get you as comfortable as we can—would ice help? I can go get some from Janet.”
“No.” He shook his head, then finally took the pills and washed them down. Closing his eyes, he canted his head back. Not wanting to press him, she waited patiently. Finally, he reached a hand over and set it on her shoulder. “Promise me you won’t tell my mother—or anyone else.”
The underlying desperation in his voice set her heart twisting. “You have my word—what happens in Fredericksburg stays here.”
A weary smile touched his lips, and she shifted to slip an arm around his waist and rested her hand on his hip. He braced his arm over her shoulders.
“We’ll go at your pace,” she promised. “Feel free to lean on me, I can take it.”
Mateo glanced down at her. “You know what? I believe you.”
The admission pleased her enormously, but it didn’t erase an ounce of her concern. “Good.”
They took their time, but she finally got him to the passenger seat. Only gritted teeth and determination got him into the truck. His shirt was soaked through by the time she pulled the seat belt across him and buckled him in. Still standing on the running board, she was nearly nose to nose with him after the latch clicked on the seat belt.
“Thank you, Claire.” His breath whispered over her lips and she ignored the reawakened sensation in her midsection.
“You’re very welcome, Mateo.” Then she gave into the temptation and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Rest. I’ll get us back to the ranch.”
To her amazement, by the time she climbed into the driver’s seat and got the truck started, Mateo was already asleep.
She got lost only twice on the way back to the ranch, not that Mateo noticed. He slept through the whole drive. Unsure of what to do with him, she drove to her little guesthouse.
Groggy, he woke when she touched his arm and he let her help him into the house. Not willing to trust him to take the stairs, she got him over to the sofa and helped him lie down.
Minutes later, he was asleep once more.
Claire didn’t go up to bed; instead, she spent the night sitting in her little kitchen drinking her new tea and checking on her guest.
No one should ever be in that much pain.