Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
TUCKER
“You seriously don’t have to stay here,” Julie croaks out, her head resting against her pillow and blonde hair splayed out in the messiest fashion I’ve yet to see. “You’re probably going to catch it—and then you’ll be sick on Christmas.”
I shrug. “Just another day to me, you know that.”
“You’ve been sitting in this room with me for almost three days,” Julie groans, running her hand over her face. “You have to get some fresh air.”
“It’s the holidays, and everyone else has been avoiding you like the plague,” I reason, leaning against the wall. “It doesn’t seem right to leave you hanging…”
“You’ve literally slept on the floor. ” She pushes herself up to a sitting position, her sweatshirt hanging off her shoulders as she gestures to my makeshift pallet on the floor beside her bed. “I’m not dying. It’s the stomach flu, not Ebola.”
“No matter how much you gripe at me, it’s not going to change anything,” I fold my arms across my chest, unfazed by her sass. “Someone had to hold the trash can for you.”
Julie sighs, her face softening. “I do appreciate it— you. But I really am feeling better, and…” She bites down on her lip as she fingers the quilt covering her lap. “I need to go to town… alone. ”
“You’ve barely eaten anything. You shouldn’t be driving.”
She glares at me. “Okay, it’s clear that you’re a helicopter boyfriend.”
“I have no idea what kind of boyfriend I am,” I retort. “I’ve never really been one, but…” My voice trails off as Julie flips the covers back, her flannel pajama pants looking two sizes too big. She appears spaced out as she stands to her feet, her brows furrowed as she rubs her forehead.
“Julie…” I take a step toward her, but she holds out her hand, signaling me to stop.
“I just have a headache,” she mumbles, squeezing her eyes shut. “Maybe you should drive me to town.” Julie looks up at me. “But then you’ll have to just sit and wait.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why’s that?”
“Because I prefer to shop alone.” She gives me a crooked smile, and my heart flip flops in my chest as she passes me. Her fingers brush the top of my hand and I catch them before she can pass me entirely. She stops, her arm outstretched. “What?”
I bite down on my lower lip, my nerves raging as my guard comes down. “I liked taking care of you.” I’ve been trying to be open with Julie, but at the same time, since the night we kissed, she’s been delirious with a bad stomach bug—not exactly the best time to talk about feelings…
But the Christmas party is.
Julie clings to my hand, and I realize in my own thoughts, I didn’t notice her silence. She stands there, and an influx of rejection, whether warranted or not, comes sweeping through my chest.
“I’ll let you get to it. Come get me across the hall when you’re ready.” I drop her hand, turning away and heading to pick up the pallet. She won’t need me crashing on her floor anymore, and I’m certain my back will appreciate it.
“Tucker,” Julie’s voice stops me as I head for the door.
I glance back at her, still standing in the same spot. “Yeah?”
“Um, I liked you taking care of me, too.” Her hands are clasped in front of her as she lingers, flexing and unflexing her grasp. “I might miss it when this is over.”
“Yeah, me, too.” I give her a nod and slip out of the bedroom, shutting the door for her to have some privacy. I head into my own room and toss the blankets and pillows onto the bed. I don’t know how to take what she said. Maybe she was fishing for me to say more?
Or maybe she’s just trying to be polite and not hurt my feelings…
“Ugh,” I run my hands over my face, and then distract myself with getting ready to head into town and starting the truck so it can warm up. It’s fine that she wants to go shopping alone, because I still haven’t had the chance to get her something yet. And now, it feels like a lot more is riding on her Christmas present rather than my cattle deal.
Twenty minutes later, there’s a knock on my bedroom door. My hat is already on my head, and coat in my arms as I answer it, happy to see Julie on the other side. Her hair is still damp from the shower, but she looks brighter than she has in the last few days.
“Ready?”
She nods, stepping out of the way as I join her in the hallway. “You can just drop me off on Main Street. I’ll be quick. I need to get back and help my mom with all the preparations for the party.”
I frown. “Are you sure? You’ve been sick… I think you should probably stay away from the food.”
Julie swats my arm, giggling. “I don’t mean the food. I don’t think I could even stomach that right now, anyway.”
“Ah, right.” I grab her hand as we head down the stairs, and she doesn’t resist me. We slip out of the front door unnoticed, and I lead her to the truck. All the rest of the Coopers are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, and whether they’re coming or going is beyond me.
“I can’t believe I missed the nativity scene and Christmas program,” she huffs as she climbs into the truck pulling the seatbelt across her lap.
“Well, you know, the story stays the same every year,” I say, patting her knee as she rolls her eyes at me. I chuckle to myself and jog around, hopping in. It’s cold, and I thank God that I have heated seats as I back out of the driveway and head into Hillsdale. For some reason, the task feels less daunting than before.
We listen to Christmas music on the way there, and Julie hums along. She still looks a little more pale than usual, and her abundant energy is a few notches below her usual. However, it feels good to see her doing something other than losing everything she ate. I also feel much less nauseous now that I’m not having to choke back a gag.
“Just park here,” Julie points to an empty spot on the very crowded street. People are out in droves, probably doing the exact same thing we are. I kill the engine of the truck, and look over at her, noticing her scanning the faces.
“I’ll meet you back here in an hour?”
She nods. “Got it, boss.” Julie doesn’t give me a second look as she pushes open the door and slides out. I can’t help but stare as she tugs her black wool coat tighter around herself, the wind whipping her hair around her face. I know I’ve become infatuated with her again…
Only this time, it’s so much worse.
All I can think about is the kiss is the barn—and how much I want to do it again. I suddenly want to be the guy that makes her Christmas magical every year, as well as the one that holds her hair when she’s sick. I swallow the lump in my throat and exit my truck…
Just in time to lock eyes with Nate Roland.
Oh, you have to be kidding me.
“Tucker Madison?” His paper bag he’s carrying drops to his side in surprise. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
I grit my teeth and give him a nod. “Yep.”
“I guess Maddie wasn’t blowin’ smoke when she said you were back in town then,” he chuckles, taking a step toward me, and I’m tempted to climb right back in my truck and leave. “You with Julie now, huh?”
“Yep.” I look past him, seeing the jewelry store. “But I need to get going.” I go to slip past him, but he juts out, catching my arm. I fight the urge to punch him right there and then, but…
It’s too close to Jesus’s birthday. He probably wouldn’t appreciate that.
“I heard through the grapevine that you’re going to start running cattle on the Cooper place,” Nate’s voice lowers. “Must be why you’re so sweet on her. Always knew you were jealous.”
I pull my arm away. “It was good to see you, Nate. I need to get going.” Never mind that what he’s saying is true. I was jealous of him. But it had nothing to do with the ranch—just her.
“You know, it really piqued my interest that you were back here, and so I did some digging.” His words send a flair of panic through my body. “Funny timing with you losing all your land. It’s almost like…” His voice trails off as a taunting grin spreads across his face. “You’re just using her.”
Mutually using each other, actually. But I can’t get the words out as Nate walks away, because the impact is heavy. I am doing what I hated Nate for minus the cheating, and something about him being the one to remind me of that, hits harder than I expected.
Even if my feelings for Julie are real.