Saved by the Rancher

chapter Ten


SALLY RAISED HER head and followed his progress around the bed to Jenna’s side. She moved off Jenna’s arm, but still lay down at her left side. Jack spoke softly to his beloved dog.

“How is she, Sally girl?”

Sally slapped her tail on the bed softly.

“That good, huh. She hasn’t woken up?”

Again, Sally slapped her tail.

“Good. Let’s give her another shot and hope it doesn’t wake her.”

Jack prepared the needle with the proper dose for a human, not a horse. He grabbed an alcohol wipe out of his medic bag and swabbed a small spot on Jenna’s bottom between two nasty welts. He stuck her with the needle, sending the antibiotics into her system. Hopefully, they would help break the fever soon. He trashed the needle and alcohol pad and rinsed out the washcloth on Jenna’s forehead. He washed down her face, rinsed the cloth again, and placed it on her head. He pulled the sheet over her, careful of her back and leg, and turned off the bedside lamp. Moonlight spread across her like a glowing sheet.

Jack slumped on the chaise lounge by the window. His elbow rested on the arm, he put his hand on his brow and massaged the ache building behind his eyes. Tall, his right booted foot hung off the end of the long chair. He bent his other knee and planted his foot on the floor and watched her sleep for a long time. Hours later, too tired to fight it any longer, he drifted off to sleep, his mind tired from trying to sort out everything he found out about her and all the feelings racing around inside his heart.

The barking didn’t really register at first, but he didn’t mistake the scream shattering the quiet night. Jack shot out of the chair. Jenna thrashed in the bed, moaning and screaming, fighting off her dream. Jack laid a hand on her shoulder to try to still her. He leaned over and in a low honey of a voice soothed her.

“Jenna, it’s Jack. You’re safe. Stop moving. You’ll hurt yourself, baby. That’s it, sweetheart. Calm down. You’re okay. Be still.”

“He’s coming. He’ll get me. He’s going to kill me. Run!”

“No, Jenna. You’re safe with me. It was just a dream. Calm down.” He kept his voice low, calm. In a panic, if he could get her to listen, maybe she’d quiet.

“Jenna, I’m the only one here. You’re okay, baby. I won’t let him get you. Calm down. Stop struggling. Remember your stitches.”

Jenna’s eyes flew open and locked on Jack.

“Stitches? What stitches? How did I get stitches? Please, you didn’t take me to a hospital. Tell me you didn’t take me to a hospital.” She tried to get up, but Jack gently pressed on her shoulder. Completely out of strength, she could barely keep her eyes open or struggle with him.

“Jenna, calm down. No one took you to the hospital. I stitched you up. I even gave you a shot of antibiotics. You’ll be feeling better in a few days.”

Her eyes drooped, ready to close again.

“Where am I? I never seem to know where I am,” she said weakly. Yet she remembered Jack without reservation.

“You’re safe. You’re in my house where I can take care of you.”

“Never safe. Always running. Always alone. Have to run. Rabbit’s on the run.” Her eyes fluttered shut and she drifted back into sleep.

“No, Jenna. Rabbit’s safe. You’re not alone. Not anymore. I’m here with you. Rest, baby. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Safe,” she said mockingly. “I don’t want to be hunted anymore.”

He almost couldn’t hear her soft plea. “I’ll keep you safe.”

The single tear slipping through her closed lashes told him she didn’t believe him. He’d prove it to her.

Jenna’s breathing slowed and she fell into a deep sleep. Sally settled back at her side. Jack took up his guard in the chaise by the window with an overwhelming urge to crawl into bed next to her and hold her. Then she’d know the feel of safety again. He couldn’t. Not only because of her injuries, but because he feared frightening her. She’d stayed a good distance away from him in the restaurant and backed up with every step he took toward her. No, he couldn’t rush her into trusting him, but she would. He’d work at it until she did. He couldn’t let her go, when for the first time in years he actually felt something warm burning in the cold pit that used to be his heart.