Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Accept his apology?
“I’m not sure you actually apologized,” she pointed out.
“Close to it.”
Was that the best she was going to get?
Nope. She didn’t think so.
“Apologize properly and I might consider it.”
He narrowed his gaze. “You’re a brat.”
Casey gasped even as she felt something stir inside her. Something that felt almost like desire or happiness.
But why would this man calling her a brat and carrying her around and fussing over her make her feel all warm and bubbly inside?
Ridiculous.
She didn’t like the feel of his arms around her. Or his very masculine scent. Or the way he took charge.
Nope.
And she definitely didn’t like him calling her a brat. She was not a brat.
She was a good girl. Just spirited, as her Granny used to say.
“I am not! And you’re terrible at apologies.”
His face twisted and he let out a noise of irritation. “Fine. I apologize for the other day. I was in a grouchy mood because I was worried about Wyatt. And I might have taken some of that out on you.”
“Apology accepted,” she said. “Even if you did call the cops on me and that asshole arrested me. He was gunning for me after you complained about me. Apparently, you’re the King of Oddity and I’m the loser pauper. Or something like that.”
“Don’t call yourself that.” He grasped hold of her chin, holding it firmly.
“Well, that’s basically the truth. I mean, I was sleeping in my car and got arrested. You can’t get much lower than that.”
“Why were you sleeping in your car?” he asked.
“It broke down and it was late at night.”
“Bob would have come out at night and towed you. And given you a ride to a motel.”
“Right. All with a hefty after-hours cost,” she said.
“Is your car fixed?” he asked.
“Not yet.”
“What’s wrong with it?” he asked.
“You ask a lot of questions,” she told him.
Jeb just stared down at her.
“I don’t owe you any answers.”
“But you’ll give them to me, won’t you?”
“Why would I do that?”
“So I can take care of them for you.”
The arrogance in that statement was kind of mind-blowing. But she wasn’t sure why she was so surprised. What did surprise her was the way she had to bite back the urge to cry.
What was wrong with her?
Hadn’t she set out on this adventure because she wanted to become more independent? From her family. Her father.
And here she was nearly in tears over the idea of someone wanting to take care of all her problems. It was ridiculous.
She was just so sick of everything feeling hard.
And it would be heaven to just let go and let someone else take care of and protect her. To let them take the burden.
Even if just for a day. Then maybe she could sleep better. Perhaps she’d be able to breathe.
However, she knew she couldn’t just give in and let this man take over.
For one, he was her nemesis. Although her hatred toward him seemed to be lessening. She was certain it wouldn’t be long until it came back, though.
“I don’t need you to take care of things for me,” she informed him.
He shot her a look of disbelief.
“I know it seems like I don’t have things together. But I’m a big girl. And I need to take care of myself.”
The look on his face didn’t change.
Great.
“I know you feel bad about the way you treated me at the playground. But I shouldn’t have given Wyatt candy. Or have tried to battle for the swing. A normal adult would have called the police and given him the swing. I just can’t seem to be normal.”
“Normal, huh?” he murmured.
Normal like him. Sure, he might be out-of-this-world gorgeous with his dark hair and that five-o’clock stubble over his firm jawline. But she bet his life wasn’t a chaotic whirlwind of highs and lows like hers was. More lows at the moment but hopefully that would change.
“How is your foot feeling?” he asked.
Strange, she hadn’t noticed the throbbing until he asked. But she forced herself to smile up at him.
“It’s fine.”
Jeb’s gaze narrowed. “Little girl, are you lying to me?”
“Would I do that?
“Yes. Where the hell is Doc?”
Yes? Jeez, he could have hesitated before he said that.
“He’s probably busy with real patients,” she told him.
“You are a real patient. Asta, what’s happening?” Jeb boomed.
Everyone else in the room turned to stare at them. Again.
She was definitely calling one of her brothers tonight and leaving this town.
“Doc can’t see her today,” Asta said.
“Don’t you think you should’ve told me that before?” Jeb asked impatiently.
“I told Asta that I could see her,” a woman said, walking toward them.
She wore a pair of sensible shoes and black slacks and a white shirt. Her dark silky hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. She looked polished and elegant.
However, her smile didn’t reach her eyes. At least when she looked at Casey it didn’t. The look on her face changed when she stared at Jeb, though.
“Megan, hi,” Jeb said, standing with Casey in his arms.
“Jeb, I can walk,” she told him firmly.
“No. Megan, where do you want her?”
No? Was he serious? Just no? That was it?
“What’s wrong? Did she twist her foot?” Megan asked.
“No, she burned it,” Jeb explained
Who was she? Another doctor? No one had thought to properly introduce her. And Casey didn’t like the way they were talking over her as though she wasn’t here.
“Oh, that doesn’t look too bad,” Megan said. “Put her down. I’m sure she’s fine to walk. What was your name?”
“It’s Casey Reynolds. And you?”
The other woman looked surprised, then her eyes narrowed. “I’m Megan. I’m the nurse here at the clinic.”
“Take us to your office, Megan,” Jeb said impatiently.
“If I’m getting too heavy for you, feel free to put me down,” she told him sweetly.
“No.”
“You know this really isn’t necessary,” she grumbled as he carried her into a small room with a bed and desk. “I’ve got some first-aid stuff back at the motel.”
“No, you don’t. And don’t lie to me.”
She gasped dramatically. “You are so rude. How do you know I’m lying?”
“Because you don’t seem the type of person to be prepared enough to have a first-aid kit.”
“And the hits just keep on coming,” she muttered. “Have you got any other insults that you want to give me?”
“No. I think I’m done for the moment.”
“Then maybe you could leave,” she said as he placed her on the table.
“I’m staying.”
“You’re not staying,” she countered.
“I’m paying, I’m staying.”
“You don’t need to pay.” Although she wasn’t sure how she would pay for it.
“I caused the injury.”
“We both know that’s bullshit,” she said reluctantly. “I banged into you.”
“Don’t swear,” he said. “And it was a mutual banging.”
Did he just say that?
He looked shocked and she burst into laughter. “A mutual banging?”