Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
As I walk toward her, she opens her eyes. “I’m sorry. I suck,” she whispers, looking up at me pitifully.
“Stop apologizing.” I squat in front of her and smooth her hair out of her face. “Are you feeling any better after the pill?”
“I want to say yes, but no. I’m pretty sure I’ll be sick again if I move from this position.”
“You don’t need to move.” I stand and then sit next to her head on the bench.
“I guess I should have thought about how different ice fishing is from deep-sea fishing. You know, one being on frozen water and the other not.”
“I should have asked if you’d ever been on a boat.” I rest my hand on her forehead—cool to the touch despite the sun.
“Yeah, come to think of it, this is definitely all your fault.” Laughing, I look down at her. I haven’t laughed so much in a very long time. Her humor and honesty are both refreshing. She’s refreshing. And I’m still annoyed at myself about yesterday when I basically accused her of stalking me.
“I know better for next time. I’ll make sure to give you something to take before we get on the boat.”
“There isn’t going to be a next time. This was a one-time thing. I will never go out on another boat again.”
“We’ll see,” I mutter, watching her try to keep her eyes open, which is probably difficult with the pill she took. One of the side effects was making you tired. “Try to sleep. You’ll be on solid ground soon.”
With a nod, she pulls the towel I gave her up and over her shoulder, then curls into a ball, tucking her knees into her stomach. I try to resist touching her, but it’s difficult not to. It’s also impossible not to stare at her. She fascinates me. I don’t think any woman has ever fascinated me before.
When the boat finally reaches the dock and the bridge is in place, I attempt to wake Reese. But she’s so out of it she says something I can’t understand, and her lashes barely flutter open. With no choice, I stand and lift her into my arms, carrying her off the boat, down the dock, and to my truck that we came in together this morning. It’s a feat getting her inside, and I have to admit that when I try to wake her once more and she doesn’t budge, I’m a little concerned. I debate taking her to the hospital but decide to call my sister-in-law Maci, who is a nurse, instead.
“Brodie?” Maci answers on the second ring. “Everything okay?”
“I just have a quick question about Dramamine.”
“What about it?”
“If someone took it, is it normal for them not to wake up?”
“Define not waking up,” she says, sounding concerned. “Are they breathing?”
“Yes, she’s breathing, just completely passed out.”
“Some people have a more extreme reaction to diphenhydramine. Do you know if she is on any type of allergy medication?”
“I have no idea.”
“When did she take the Dramamine?”
“A little over an hour ago.”
“Give her a couple more hours. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“All right. Thanks, Maci.”
“Anytime.” We hang up after saying goodbye.
I glance over at Reese and then put my truck in reverse, heading toward our building. When we arrive, she is still totally out, so I carry her inside and ignore the strange looks I get from everyone I pass. Not knowing where she lives since we met in the lobby this morning, I have no choice but to take her up to my apartment. As soon as I get us inside, my Great Dane Jeb is there to greet us. Always curious, he refuses to give me an inch of space as I take her to the couch and put a blanket over her.
“Come on, bud, you’ll meet her when she wakes up.” I order him to follow me to the kitchen and then give him one of his chew bones that will hopefully keep him distracted for a while. If it fails, I have no doubt he’ll be on the couch with her, and she’ll wake up with seventy pounds of slobbering dog on her chest. Once I have him settled, I turn on the TV and plant myself on the sectional across from Reese, waiting for her to wake up.
* * * *
“Hey,” I hear through my subconscious. Blinking my eyes open, my gaze connects with Reese’s. She’s leaning over me and still looks sleepy but also alert, and the color is back in her cheeks.
“You’re awake.” I sit up.
“Yeah.” She laughs, looking at Jeb next to her. “Your friend woke me.”
“Shit, sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. Can I use your restroom?”
“Of course. It’s right around the corner on the left.” I jerk my chin in the direction of the hall.
“Thanks.” She gives me a smile and then turns on her heels. When Jeb starts to follow, I call him back. He has no regard for personal space and will follow her in there if she lets him.