Page 19 of High Water

Rey’s at the front door in less than half an hour, and I have him come upstairs with his bag. He makes quick work of assessing her condition and gets an IV set up for her.

“We’ll do the IV. Get more fluids and meds into her. That and the ice packs you’ve got going should bring it down pretty quickly.” He takes her in, brow furrowed, and shakes his head. “If that doesn’t help, then I think we better get her to the ER. But you did a good job with what you had. Almost like I trained you well.” He flashes me a grin, and I can tell he’s trying to lift my mood.

I was nearly in a thrashing fit of my own when he got here. Watching Aspen helplessly, when she looked so broken and vulnerable, was killing me. I stripped the bed of the comforter, blanket, and pillows, leaving her with only a light sheet, and then I put ice packs under both her armpits to try to bring the fever down with what I had on hand. She’d thankfully fallen back to a deep enough sleep that she’d forgotten I was a ghost that needed vanquishing. But it hadn’t made watching her sweat and whimper in her sleep any easier.

“Can you stay for a while to be sure?” I ask Rey, nervous about being alone again if things go wrong. I’m used to being calm under pressure, but that’s a much easier thing when the people you’re trying to help are strangers and not the mother of your child. I need her.

“Of course.” He nods. “I’ve been up since the ass crack of dawn though. You got somewhere I can rest my bones for a few while we wait?”

“Yeah. There’s a couch out there in the loft.” I point to where I can see it from the door we’re standing at. “You can take a nap if you need. I’ll stay with her.”

“Sounds good. Just shout if you need me.”

“Thanks. Appreciate this more than you know.”

“Of course.” He takes off for the couch, and I settle into the chair at Aspen’s bedside. If I’m a ghost, then I’m committed to haunting her tonight. I’m not about to take my eyes off her.

“Bishop?” I hear the sound of my name, and I dare to open my eyes with the bright sunlight that’s pouring in from the window.

Aspen’s sitting up in bed, disheveled from a long night but otherwise looking much, much better than she did before.

“Yeah.” I sit up, the blanket in my lap falling to the floor before I can catch it. “You need something? How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” She holds out a hand as if to stop me from getting up. “I’m feeling better. Did I… did I imagine that someone else was here?”

“No.” Rey walks in, grinning as he sets a bottle of water and some cold meds on her nightstand. “Your guy here called in backup. I’m his medic.” Rey holds out his hand, and Aspen takes it, shaking it gently as she stares up at him.

Her eyes are wide and fall over him with curiosity or interest. I’m not sure which. He’s a big guy. Spends a lot of time in the gym and always had women clamoring for his attention whenever we went to the bar. But I didn’t think he was Aspen’s type.

“Sorry for pulling you out here in the night, but thank you for whatever you did.” She pulls her knees to her chest and gives him a sheepish look.

“Just gave you some fluids in the IV and some meds to help bring the fever down. You’re almost normal now. I think you just spiked last night when your body was trying to fight off whatever bug you have. You feeling better?”

“Much better. Thank you.” She offers him a small smile, and the formidable woman I know is replaced for a minute by someone much softer and sweeter.

“Don’t worry about it. I owe Bishop my life a couple of times over. So he calls and tells me his girl needs help, I’m here in a hurry.”

“Oh. I’m not his girl. We’re not—He’s not—” Aspen stumbles over her words and shakes her head.

“Oh fuck. Did I make this awkward? You all aren’t official yet?” He flashes me a look. “Well, just pretend like I didn’t say anything.”

“No. Bishop’s a friend. He grew up here, and he’s in charge of the ranch and saving Stocktons, apparently.” She flashes Rey a flirty smile, and I don’t like the way it makes my chest go tight.

“You doing a lot of white-knighting around here? Gorgeous women just dropping like flies at your feet?” Rey laughs as he looks at me, and I see the flash of recognition in his eyes when he sees my face. He turns back to Aspen. “He’s got that kind of reputation, you know. Anywhere we went, just women everywhere wanting his attention. He had to fight them off half the time. If we were lucky, we got to be their backup plan for the evening.”

“Is that so?” Aspen glances at me, her brow lifting in assessment, and it’s not good for me.

“That’s not how I remember it. I remember it being you who was always getting all the attention,” I volley back at Rey, giving him a look to tell him to drop the wingman routine. He clears his throat and shifts on his feet before changing the subject.

“You should continue to get lots of fluids today. Take your meds. Try to eat if you feel up to it. Jello if nothing else. Just take it easy. All right?” Rey looks at her, and she nods, a small smile on her lips. “And listen to this guy, yeah? He was worried sick about you last night. Had to talk him down. And he never left your side.”

She looks at me and back to Rey.

“Well, I’m so grateful for both of you. I feel so silly that there was this much fuss when it was just a cold or something. But I’m glad you were here. Both of you.” She looks to me for the briefest of seconds before her eyes return to Rey.

“Of course. You let me know if you need anything else, and text if you’ve got questions.” Rey shoots me a look as he packs up. “I’ll keep an eye on my phone.”

“Can’t thank you enough.” I give credit where credit is due as I walk him back to the door downstairs. He pauses on the threshold and looks back at me, curiosity bright in his eyes and a smirk forming on his lips.