Fall: Rise & Fall Duet Book 2 (Shaken 4) Read online

“Cuddly?”

  “Are you sure you’re not the one who hit your head? Because you seem to be having a hard time comprehending the English language.”

  It took everything I had to keep a straight face as his jaw worked. Rousing Lincoln helped ease the pain in my head.

  “I admire you,” he said.

  The threatening smile quickly retreated. “Wh-what?” Now I was the one not understanding.

  “I. Admire. You.” He emphasized each syllable with a squeeze of my hand.

  “You can’t say things like that,” I whispered.

  “I’m allowed to speak the truth.” He didn’t waver, didn’t slouch or look away.

  And then it wasn’t my head that was an issue. My whole body felt . . . tingly? Nervous? Excited?

  I wasn’t familiar with whatever his words had drawn out in me. What was to admire? I was just an average person doing whatever I could to get by. Nothing remarkable about that.

  “But that makes you less prickly.”

  “Prickly?”

  “Yeah.” I fisted the sheet with my unoccupied hand. “And if you’re not prickly, you’re not so bad.” I blinked at him as panic washed over me. “And if you’re not so bad, I might fall for you.”

  Chapter Ten

  Lincoln

  “I’ll release Miss Logan as soon as I finish the paperwork.”

  It was after nine a.m. and this was the first time I’d left Lexie’s side since the doctor had given me permission to see her. I hadn’t strayed far.

  We were in the hall, just outside her room, where I had a good view of her. The officer was no longer on guard there.

  “What precautions do we need to take?”

  He shifted his chart from one arm to the other. “She shouldn’t resume normal activities for a few days. Definitely no strenuous activities and no driving. I’d like to see her again in a week for observation.”

  “I’ll see to it that your recommendations are followed.” I offered him my hand. “Thank you.”

  He accepted my hand and shook. “She’s going to be fine. She just needs to take it easy.”

  I nodded and retrieved my phone from my pocket. The screen was littered with notifications.

  The most recent was a text from Zegas.

  Bond set. I’ve posted it. She was excused from the hearing. She’s free to go. I’ll update you with a court date.

  I stared at the phone and then glanced at Lexie’s sleeping form. Something strange stirred within me. I hadn’t felt that before. I had the urge to shout and high-five the passing nurse. Was this jubilation?

  Lexie was free . . . for now. Even that couldn’t stop the thrill that shot through me.

  I wanted to wake her, share the good news. But she needed rest. And I needed to get a grip.

  I dialed Teague.

  “Hey. What’s the latest?”

  Some of the pressure in my chest released.

  “As soon as the doctor finishes the paperwork, she’s free. Could you come retrieve us?” I hated asking my brother for anything, but I wanted him to take us home.

  “On my way now. She gonna be okay?”

  I leaned against the doorway. “I think so.”

  “Great news, man. See you soon.”

  And then it hit me. For years, I’d been so busy trying to shield Teague that somewhere along the way I’d failed to realize I could lean on him too. Perhaps that was a mistake. He wasn’t a kid I was trying to protect any longer.

  Although in some ways, it was as if I’d been relying on him and Beau subconsciously. I’d call them for no reason, and maybe that was my way of not only checking on them, but fulfilling my own need. They were my friends.

  I wandered back into Lexie’s room and sat beside her bed.

  She was . . . beautiful wasn’t enough of a word. Even with her cheeks paled and hair a disaster, she was the loveliest sight I’d ever seen.

  I might fall for you.

  She said those words and remembering them caused my heart to beat faster, my breathing to quicken. Part of me wanted to warn her not to, that I wasn’t capable of being a partner or giving her what she deserved. But the other part clung to the hope that she would find me worthy.

  She hadn’t fallen for me. She might fall.

  And wasn’t that so very her? She’d keep me on edge, wondering if she would or wouldn’t. Because she always did the unexpected.

  Her lids blinked open.

  “You’ll be released soon,” I blurted, unable to wait to share the news.

  A soft smile formed. “That’s good news.” And then her face fell. “Will I have to go back?”

  She didn’t need to speak the word. I could barely think of the term jail when it came to Lexie.

  “Zegas bonded you out.”

  “So there’s a potential they’ll lock me up again,” she said flatly.

  “Not if I can do anything about it.” I touched her leg. “The doctor wants you to rest for a few days. Let’s not worry about the unknown.”

  “At least I’ll be able to make the afternoon deliveries.”

  I gently squeezed. “No driving until he sees you again. In a week.”

  “A week?” she screeched. “I can’t be out of business for a week. We’ll lose everything.”

  “I’ll drive you.”

  She rubbed her temples. Was she in pain? I hadn’t meant to upset her.

  “You have your own empire to run, not to mention all the other stuff.” She waved her hand absently, though her tone was calmer than a moment before.

  My main function was the purchase and sale of property. Considering I wasn’t allowed to do that, it was best to take a more hands-off approach until that was resolved. That couldn’t stop me from researching properties, but the business could handle my absence for a few days.

  “I believe you’d prefer me behind the wheel rather than my sister.”

  “I rode with her one time.” She shuddered. “Never again.” Her eyes widened. “Did she wreck the van last night?”

  I placed a hand on top of hers. “No. Teague drove. And Pepper rode along for the morning deliveries.”

  “She-she did?” Overwhelming gratitude was in her voice.

  “Teague and Beau needed a time-out after last night. Pepper’s words. Not mine. Apparently my sister wanted to do things her way and he believed his strategy was better.” I smiled to myself at the thought of them bickering. At least it was always lighthearted.

  Lexie put a hand over her mouth. “Teague didn’t let her have her way?”

  “I suppose not.”

  “He’s a brave man.” She snickered. “Have you talked to Eric?”

  “Not this morning. I promised I’d make the afternoon deliveries with him.”

  “You-you don’t have to do that.” She’d lost a little of her bravado from earlier. She seemed more uncertain.

  Did she regret what she’d admitted?

  “I want to.”

  “Unless you want to wear hospital high fashion out of here, it’s time for you to get ready to go.” A nurse barged in with a garment bag. “Ready for me to unhook you?” She lifted a wire for emphasis.

  “Yes, please,” Lexie said. “Though the offer to keep this gown is tempting.”

  The nurse pointed at me. “That one might like the back view.”

  I shifted uncomfortably, and Lexie turned scarlet. All I could think about was her satin skin and imagining the parts of it I hadn’t seen. But I wouldn’t sneak a look that Lexie didn’t consent to.

  “I’ll give you some privacy.”

  I closed the door behind me, not wanting the rest of the world to get a peek of her either. It was inappropriate to think of Lexie spread out on my bed, but the image wouldn’t evaporate.

  And while it should’ve made me irritated she’d invaded my personal space, I found it had the exact opposite effect.

  I wanted her there.

  Chapter Eleven

  Lexie

  “I’m going with you.”

&n
bsp; I swayed as I bent to pick up a sleek black heel.

  Hands landed on my hips to steady me. “No.”

  I straightened and wheeled around, again feeling unbalanced, tempted to throw my shoe at him.

  How could one word evoke such a strong reaction?

  “You can take that no and—”

  “I’d like to spend time with Eric.”

  Well, didn’t that just shut me right up?

  I poked a finger in his chest. “You don’t fight fair.”

  Lincoln knew how to get to me. He’d learned fast. But this wasn’t a ploy to get me to do as he wanted. It was obvious he genuinely wanted to keep his promise to my brother.

  I’d relent to that every single time.

  “Beau has an afternoon for the two of you planned.”

  I frowned. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

  He appeared confused. “I thought you’d like to hang out with her.”

  Again, he was right. And too thoughtful for his own good.

  “Have you ever used the phrase ‘hang out’ in your life?”

  That didn’t seem like the vocabulary of Mr. Stuffy . . . who as it turned out was Mr. Kind too.

  He tilted his head. “Probably not.”

  I drooped my shoulders. “I don’t know how to sit around and do nothing for a whole afternoon.”

  “What about an entire week?”

  I scrunched my face in annoyance and then in pain. My head still hurt like a mother.

  “I don’t think I could, even on an exotic vacation.”

  I sagged, and he slid his arms around me. Without thought, I gave in, letting him hold me. It felt too good to resist.

  He kissed the top of my head. “Me neither.”

  I heaved out a sigh. Beau wasn’t the only one who didn’t appreciate being told what to do. I hated to leave others to shoulder my burdens.

  But more than that, I was irritated with myself for my verbal diarrhea in the hospital. What sort of idiot would blurt out she might be falling for Lincoln Hollingsworth?

  That wasn’t bravery. It was stupidity.

  Especially when the only reaction was that same stoic stare. If I whacked him with my shoe, would he still have that look? Probably.

  “The more you follow the doctor’s orders, the sooner you can get back to your normal life.”

  He’d meant it to reassure me. I knew that. But normal was back before he’d so rudely barged into our lives. Before he’d done that, normal had seemed pretty darn great. Eric and I had fun. We made the best of whatever situation we were in.

  How could the thought of returning to that—without a man who had the emotions of a rock—be unappealing?

  Because there was a lot underneath that stone surface. Like a heart. And a decent man. Even if he was overbearing, rude, and impossible.

  I pushed him away. Eric would chide me for becoming a grumpy pants. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea for an afternoon away from Lincoln. I could use the space to get myself together.

  “Did I say something offensive?”

  For a man who was so aware of his surroundings, sometimes he was clueless. And technically, he hadn’t said anything to get upset over.

  “Go, so you can hurry up and get back with my brother.”

  I needed one of his hugs. Needed to see for myself that he’d survived the night away from me unscathed.

  “I’m not comfortable leaving when you’re angry with me.”

  I threw my hands up. “Since when? You certainly weren’t concerned with my feelings before.”

  “Since you pointed out that I’m rude.”

  I deflated. He couldn’t say things like that. It was sweet. Like he was listening to me and valued my way of thinking.

  “Don’t think you can change that overnight, pal. Are you trying to tell me you’re going to be more considerate to everyone?”

  He took my hands in his. “I don’t give a damn about everyone. Just you.”

  Lightly, I shoved again. “Get out of here. Our customers are waiting.”

  I couldn’t survive processing a bomb like that in front of him.

  Reluctantly, he released me. “My home is yours.”

  Another knockout punch.

  “Go.”

  He had to. I couldn’t take another hit like that.

  I remained rooted in place as he disappeared from the living room. I collapsed onto the sofa and pulled my knees to my chest.

  Lincoln Hollingsworth didn’t say things he didn’t mean.

  But did his words mean the same thing I thought they did? Because if he only cared about being considerate to me and his home was mine and he wanted to spend time with Eric . . . I rested my forehead on my knees, ignoring the pain in my head at the sudden movement.

  All of those things sounded like a new and much better normal.

  For so many years, I’d been alone. With Eric, of course. But emotionally, alone. I didn’t really have any friends other than Beau. I’d ignored the thought of dating, because quite simply, I hadn’t had time. Life had been full. I was okay. Eric was both stable and happy. But then Lincoln entered my orbit, and all that security—contentment—was slowly being unraveled. I now depended on Lincoln to get me through the next seven days. My head was sore, but my heart was aching as well.

  Because I had a problem.

  It wasn’t that I might fall for Lincoln.

  I already had.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lincoln

  “Can Muffy and Millie come with us every day?”

  Muffy jerked me forward, excited about the park ahead.

  “I’m . . . not sure.”

  I hadn’t asked Lexie, and if I were perfectly honest, handling two dogs while delivering dog food had been . . . a circus.

  Eric, Muffy, and Millie were having the time of their lives. I swore Muffy had barked along to the tune of that Bobby McGee song after it had played a few times.

  Did they choose to listen to that on repeat? Or was the tape stuck in the deck?

  My coat had a paw print on it. My suit pants had the remains of a dog treat and drool streaked across my thigh.

  And I didn’t care.

  Because that song had become kind of catchy. The two dogs who had sniffed every inch of the van, torn a few boxes, and demanded treats as if that’s what they were bred to do kept things interesting. And Eric had convinced me to stop for donuts because Lexie would love them.

  I did not normally buy donuts.

  We were incredibly behind schedule. I wasn’t sure we’d made all the deliveries we were supposed to. And the oh-so-well-behaved dogs nearly turned the van over when we passed by a park.

  So we stopped.

  And I allowed them to drag Eric and me toward a patch of grass.

  It was chaos.

  Completely out of control.

  I had no idea how Lexie managed it all and made it look easy. Give me high-stake real estate all day long. If the woman ever made a career change to that, she’d run circles around me on pencil-thin heels.

  Before I’d cranked the van this morning, I hadn’t thought she could earn any more of my respect because there was none left to give.

  Turned out I was wrong.

  My respect had morphed into absolute awe.

  Muffy lifted his leg and christened an unsuspecting tree. I waited patiently, grateful for the moment of stillness. We’d been going nonstop for four hours, and I was spent.

  When Muffy finally lowered his leg, he wagged his tail and blinked up at me.

  “Teague should hire you at the fire department as a hose,” I said as I dug into my pocket. His tail picked up pace. “Sit.”

  He didn’t obey. And like a sucker, I gave him the treat anyway.

  Then he sat and looked at me impatiently.

  Ah. I hadn’t rewarded him for his initial good behavior so he wouldn’t complete the second command.

  “You’re too smart for your own good,” I muttered as I tossed him another treat.

  He ea
sily caught it and smacked happily.

  “Do you think Sis would notice if a couple of donuts were missing?” Eric asked as I led Muffy toward him.

  “She’s keenly observant.”

  He nodded. “That’s what I thought, but I could use a break.”

  “Me too.” I motioned toward the picnic table. “Shall we sit there? I’ll retrieve the donuts.”

  He brightened. “Okay.”

  I grabbed the box from the van, somehow holding on to it when Muffy knocked his nose into the bottom. I scowled, but the dog was so pleased with himself, I couldn’t be angry.

  Eric sat at the picnic table facing outward. Millie sat at his feet with her head on his lap. Eric’s bow tie was still straight even after a long day.

  I glanced down at my tie, which was askew . . . and also soiled.

  I sat next to Eric and looped Muffy’s leash around a table leg. Once I opened the box, a big nose worked feverishly over my lap.

  “Better grab one quickly before the canine vacuum sucks them all down,” I said.

  Eric laughed and snatched a chocolate glazed from the assortment. I followed suit and placed the box on the table behind us . . . securely out of Muffy’s reach.

  Eric tore into the donut. Hesitantly, I brought mine to my mouth. It wasn’t that I was opposed to sweets, I just didn’t have them often. This was not the breakfast of champions.

  The sugar and dough and chocolate melted on my tongue in a sweet combination of perfection. Not strawberry ice cream perfection, but good enough in a pinch.

  “You eat donuts weird,” he observed.

  While he attacked his with enthusiasm, I approached mine as if it were a snake. Because it was unfamiliar.

  Lexie and Eric had drawn me well out of my comfort zone . . . but it wasn’t so bad.

  “I’ll work on my technique.”

  Eric polished his off, sneaking a bite to Millie, who completely gave it away with her smacking. Muffy turned those big eyes to me, and inwardly I groaned before I tore off a piece and offered it to him.

  He swallowed it whole and looked at me as if to say give me the rest of it, pal.