Once Bitten, Twice Shy

“It’s All right. Josh is here. He shot one of them and they ran off . . .” Too late, she realized what he would think. “He heard the noise and came down,” she added quickly.

He gave her a list of supplies and by the time she had them gathered up, he was driving into the yard. Josh glanced around from his sentry duty at the barn door when they came in.

Alex went straight to Brutus and examined him.

“Can you give me a hand? He’s going to need a lot of stitches, but other than that, I think he’s all right.”

They worked over Brutus for the better part of an hour and finally Alex leaned back and stretched.

“That should do it. You’ll need to keep an eye on him and make sure he has plenty of water. Don’t let him get up for a while.”

He put his things away and glanced up at Carmen.

“Do you want me to stay here tonight to watch him?”

She gazed into his eyes, wanting desperately to tell him to stay. Yet there was more at stake here than Brutus. Saying yes would be setting him up for further hurt. It would be encouraging him - indicating there was still a chance. Saying no would be telling him to get out and never come back. She should tell him no, but she couldn’t voice the word. If he was the wrong man, why did it feel so right?

Josh strolled across the room and glanced down at her - misreading her expression, as usual.

“I’ll stay. You can go on and get some rest.”

His words were like a sharp object puncturing a water balloon, and her words gushed out in a wave of uninhibited emotion.

“No, I want Alex to stay.”

Alex raised his brows in obvious surprise.

Josh was behind Alex, and he grinned at Carmen.

“Well, I know I’ll feel better knowing he’s here.”

His words were spoken with sarcasm, but not for the reason Alex probably thought. Josh wasn’t concerned about Alex making a pass at Carmen. He must have Lori at his place.

Josh left, not knowing what had come between them. Right now she wished she had someone to talk to, but she couldn’t share this with anyone but Alex and God - and God wasn’t listening.