Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cattleman Wins a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (5 page)

She gave him a weak smile. “I’m all right, just cold.” Her voice shook.

Dirk and Ty fastened a chain to the back bumper, pulled the truck away from the bank, and then between the two of them pried her door open. Working with the seat latch, they both pulled until there was enough room to get her out. Ty carefully picked her up in his arms and put her on Dirk’s backseat. He climbed in and knelt by her.

“We can worry about my truck later. Let’s get her home. I’ll contact the doctor to come see her.”

“You think he’s out and about?” Dirk asked.

“He will be. Do you hurt anywhere?” Ty asked as he put two blankets around her.

“My whole body aches, but I don’t think I’m seriously injured.” Her body kept shaking.

“Move over just a little,” Ty said. He scooted onto the seat and wrapped his arms and legs around her. Gradually his body heat slowed her tremors. “You’re safe now.”

“Until I get to the ranch and you holler at me for wrecking your truck.”

“I’ll let you recover first,” he said and grinned.

She stared at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. You should do it more often.” She closed her eyes and snuggled closer.

He heard Dirk chuckle and say, “She’s right, you know.”

Ty didn’t respond. Her sweet breath on his neck, her soft body curved into his, the fine strands of gold lying on his arm had his body burning with heat and his cock hard as a rock. He moved, hoping she wouldn’t notice. He was probably safe. Her even breathing indicated she was sound asleep. What if they hadn’t found her soon enough? She’d have died of hypothermia.

He moved to get to his pocket and flip his phone open. She stirred then settled back down.

“Doc, this is Ty Terrell. I know the weather is bad, but could you come to the ranch? Our guest had an accident in my truck and sat in the cold for quite a while before we found her. We’re headed to the ranch house now.

“Right, you’re at the Dickenses’ place. Good, that’s not far. Sure, you can stay the night if the weather gets worse. Yeah, I know the wife wants you home if possible. See you shortly.” He snapped the phone shut.

“He’s coming?” Dirk asked.

“He’s not far. Mrs. Dickens just had her fifth unexpectedly at home. Once he gets her and the baby off in the ambulance, he’ll head this way.”

When the truck stopped, Ty woke Lily. “Put your arms around my neck.”

She sat straight. “I can walk.”

“Perhaps, but I intend to carry you.”

Frowning, she did as he said. “Has anyone told you you’re very bossy?”

Dirk laughed. “Not to his face, anyway.” He came around and opened the door. He walked ahead of them to open the house door. Ty strode by him and started up the stairs. “How about making some hot chocolate for her?”

“Since you asked so nice, I will.”

Ty carried her into her bedroom and sat her on the side of the bed. “I’ll help you undress, and once the doctor checks you over, I’ll run you a hot bath. If nothing serious is wrong and it’s just stiff muscles, the heat will help ease the soreness.” He unzipped her jacket, pulled it off, and started unbuttoning her shirt.

Her hands pushed at him. “I don’t need help undressing. Stand back.”

He glanced at her small hands. “You don’t really think you can stop me?” he asked.

“You are a gentleman. Your mother brought you up right. When a lady says stop, you do it.”

“That’s unfair bringing my mother into this. She’d want me to help you.”

“You have. Now go away for a few minutes.”

He backed off. “I’ll be right outside the room. If you need me, yell.” He shut the door as he left.

* * * *

Even with all her aches and pains, she needed him, but not in the way he meant. Lying on top of his hard, hot body, smelling his masculine scent, and listening to the beat of his heart seemed like heaven. She hadn’t wanted to go to sleep. She wanted to savor the moments, but her body caved in, and the next thing she knew they were back at the ranch.

“Are you all right? I don’t hear any noises.” His deep, sexy voice spoke through the door.

“I’m not a loud dresser.” She’d better start changing before he charged into the room. Her clothes were dropped into a pile by the bed. She found a flannel gown in her drawer and pulled a soft, fluffy robe out of the closet. She’d just tied the sash when Ty peeked inside.

“I was getting worried.” His gaze took in all of her. He grinned when he saw her bare feet peeking out below her housecoat. “Where are your socks?”

She pointed to a drawer. He picked her up and sat her back on the bed. “Wait here.” After he got the socks, he found her slippers underneath the bed. Kneeling, he put the socks on her and placed the slipper nearby.

“Can’t I go downstairs?”

“Maybe, after the doctor checks you. Lie back.” He pulled the sheet and blanket over her. “Get some rest.”

“Yes, Sir.” She saluted him, as she lay against the pillows and let him tuck her in.

“I’m going downstairs. When the doctor arrives, I’ll bring him up. Your door will be open. Holler if you need me.”

She watched him walk out. His broad shoulders were covered in a blue plaid flannel shirt, tight jeans showed off his good-looking butt, and he wore his old boots. He was too good-looking and tempting for any woman breathing.

“I can feel you staring,” he said as he left the room.

Her face went instantly hot. He was as mercurial as the weather could be. But she’d never seen him like he was today. He’d smiled, and his voice had a gentle tone she hadn’t heard before. She wasn’t fooled. He would still give her hell about the truck, but not yet. For now, she’d enjoy this new side of him. And if he was dangerous to her heart when he was in a bad mood, she was afraid of the effect he’d have on her today.

I’ll close my eyes for a second
. She let her head sink into the downy pillows. Their voices woke her. They’d just come in her room.

“Lily, this is Dr. Neels.”

“I hear you had a little accident. Do you mind if I check you over? This young man”—he nodded toward Ty—“won’t give either one of us any peace until I do.”

Dr. Neels had white hair and a jolly face. Lily liked him immediately.

“I don’t mind. But send him downstairs. He’s not going to hover while you do your examination.”

“You’re quite right.” He turned to Ty. “The lady has spoken.”

Ty hesitated, then shrugged and went to the door. “I want to talk with you before you leave, Dr. Neels.”

“No problem. I’ll get a cup of coffee to take with me. I can’t waste too much time talking, though. The weather is getting worse. I want to get home.”

As soon as Ty left, Dr. Neels took out his stethoscope. He listened to her heart and lungs. “Do you hurt in any particular spot?”

“No. The air bag deployed and my face burns where it hit and so does my chest.”

“You have some skin burns from the bag, and bruises, but your lungs sound good.” He poked, prodded, and moved all her extremities. “Ty gets excited when he thinks someone might be hurt. Losing his wife has been rough on him. He seems especially concerned about you.”

“He’s afraid his mother will be upset with him if anything happened to me.”

“Maybe. My wife and I have hoped he’d find someone to love again. It’s a lonely life out here without a wife. A person needs to have someone to care about and have them care about you.”

“How long have you been married, Doctor?”

He gave a hearty laugh. “I don’t remember not being married. We met in high school, married when I came back with my medical degree, and that was thirty years ago. I’m about ready to retire, but I love my work, and I haven’t found anyone crazy enough to take my practice.” He sat her up and checked her back, then had her walk.

“You’re going to be fine. Achy and sore, but I’ll give you a few pills to relax those muscles. In a day or so you’ll be as good as new.” He reached in his satchel and handed her a packet of pills. “Take one every twelve hours for the next day or so, until the soreness is gone.”

“I never dreamed there were doctors who still made house calls and carried pills with them.”

“In the winter I have to be prepared. The weather can make it difficult for folks to get into town for a prescription, so I carry a few medicines for the most common ailments I might see. I’m going to go get that cup of coffee and go home. You call me if any problems arise.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Dr. Neels smiled and waved as he left. She listened to his heavy footsteps going downstairs and heard Ty’s deep voice greeting him. As she expected, it wasn’t long before Ty came to see her.

“Dirk sent this hot chocolate for you. Drink it while I get your warm bath ready.”

She took the cup and sipped the sweet chocolate. A marshmallow floated on top. “I’m only going to obey you when it’s something I want to do,” she said as Ty headed to the bathroom. Ty turned and gave her a slow, sensuous smile. Her toes absolutely curled. She sighed when he went on in, and she heard the water start to pour into the claw-footed bathtub.

Ty returned and knelt to remove her socks. He started to lift her in his arms.

“I can walk, undress myself, and drink my chocolate. You’ve been very sweet, but I can handle it from here.”

“Are you sure you want to?”

His husky tone sent a shiver up her spine. She stared into his blue, blue eyes, while the air shimmered with electricity.

“I won’t make love to you, at least not today when you’re tired and sore. I’ll help you bathe and give you a massage. And another day we’ll make love.”

His words flowed inside her, filling all those aching spots with heat and hunger, making her yearn for his touch. “You are a very dangerous man when you’re being nice.”

“I’m more dangerous when I’m not nice.”

His eyes sparked with fire. His firm jaw and beautiful mouth tempted her to touch him, kiss him.

“Shall I stay or leave?”

“Look, guys, I’m going to head for my cabin.” Dirk spoke from the open door. He glanced from one to the other. “Sorry, guess I interrupted. See you.”

His footsteps receded, but he’d broken the spell. Lily took a deep breath. “As I said, I can handle it now. Thanks for all your help.”

Ty nodded and backed out of the room. Laughter lurked in his eyes, and his lips curved into a soft smile. He closed the door behind him.

Lily took off her robe and went into the bathroom. There she removed her gown and socks, then kicked her slippers aside. Sinking into the warm water felt like heaven. She leaned her head against the high back of the old tub.

Yes, Sir, Mr. Ty Terrell was very dangerous to her heart’s well-being. She almost hoped he’d get angry again. With his anger between them she could keep herself from caring. Well, from caring too much. She had a feeling Ty knew just what to do to get around her defenses.

Outside the window, big snowflakes fell rapidly. Being snowed in with Ty could be exciting. Did she have the nerve to accept his next tempting offer? She had no doubt, once he’d made up his mind, he wouldn’t give up easily.

Chapter Four

Ty paced the floor downstairs. He couldn’t get the thought of Lily in the tub out of his mind. His cock was so hard it ached. Once he’d pushed his anger aside, the desire he’d been denying forged forward.