21. Chapter 21

Chapter twenty-one

"That is so not true."

G age was dressed and waiting for Sydney by three-thirty. Cooper had brought him some clothes, Clementine had come to visit, and Paxton came before he opened the bar. His parents and Cabe called and told him they'd come see him over the weekend. He wasn't sure why everyone felt the need to come check up on him. He was fine. Or would be in a day or two.

When he asked Lainey about it, she sat on the edge of the bed. "It's because we almost lost you. When something like this happens, you think back on all the missed opportunities and try to make up for them. All the times they could've been more patient with you. Or spent more time with you. It'll pass. Just let them express their love."

"Hmm. I've never felt slighted in any way."

"I know. But still."

"Fine."

She got to her feet. "So, Sydney is staying the weekend with you?"

"She's babysitting me. That's all."

"Okay."

"Don't say ‘okay' like that."

Lainey smiled. "You could do a lot worse, you know."

"I know. I could have Cabe spending the weekend with me."

She put her hands on her hips. "That's not what I meant."

Gage nodded. "I know what you meant."

"Are you ready to go?"

"I'm more than ready to go."

She pointed at him. "And you'll be good and listen to Sydney?"

"I'll be good."

"And listen to Sydney?"

"Yes. I'll listen to Sydney."

She smiled. "Good boy."

He shook his head. "You know I'm older than you, right?"

"I know. But when men are sick or hurt, they generally regress to children."

"That is so not true. And kind of a sexist and prejudicial generalization."

She cocked her head. "I've been a nurse for four years. I've seen it time and time again."

"Maybe I'm an exception."

"And maybe you're not."

He scowled. "Aren't you supposed to be nice to me?"

"As your nurse, yes. As your cousin, it's okay to tease you a little. To get back at you for all the times you, Cabe, and Paxton ganged up on me."

Gage laughed. "Ah, good times."

"Not for me."

"You loved the attention."

"It was like I never got to be the oldest child. Even though in my family I was. All six of you guys were like older brothers."

"You didn't mind when you got picked on in school."

She smiled. "That did come in handy."

"We'll always come to your rescue, Lainey."

"I know. And I'll always want you to." She moved to the door. "Now, I need to get back to work."

"I'll see you around."

"Not too soon, I hope. Unless it's out socially."

She left and Gage adjusted the bed. "Come on, Syd. Where the hell are you?"

When Sydney came through the door a few minutes after four, Gage sat on the edge of the bed. "Thank God."

"I'm not late. I closed exactly at four and came straight here."

"I know. Sorry." He took a breath. "Let's just get out of here."

"Are you good to go? Corbyn released you?"

"Yes." He stood with a groan and put a hand on his side. "But we'll take it slow."

"Good idea." She took his arm. "Do you have anything to bring?"

"No. Just myself. I got here with nothing. Including no clothes."

"Right. Let's go then."

She helped him out of the room and they stopped at the desk to let Journee know they were leaving.

She smiled. "I'll let Corbyn know you left. He gave you instructions, right? Take it easy. No lifting anything. If you feel worse, come back. Lots of fluids and rest."

"Got it." He glanced at Sydney. "I'm not going to get away with doing anything I'm not supposed to do."

"Good."

They headed for the front door, and Sydney held it while Gage went outside. It wasn't snowing. But the sky was overcast, and it was cold.

He stopped outside the door. "I guess spring is never going to come this year."

"It'll come. It always does." She opened her car door. "In you go."

When she got into the car, he looked at her. "I hate being a passenger."

"I figured. I promise I won't crash on the way to your house."

"Thank you."

She glanced at him. "I'm not sure how to get there, though."

"Highway Three. Take a right a mile past the ranch."

"Your road is plowed now, right?"

"Yes. Cooper took care of it."

"When he told me you walked home Wednesday night, I was surprised."

"It was the only way to get there."

Sydney laughed. "I truly believe you are the most stubborn man in the world."

"Because I didn't want to sleep on my brother's couch?"

"That and a million other things."

"I guess if I had, I wouldn't have decided to go out and take a damn picture of whatever I was taking a picture of."

"That's true. And you wouldn't have broken that tree's fall."

"Ouch. Stupid tree. I still wish I could remember how that happened."

"And I still think it's better that you don't."

When they took the turn and drove past Cooper's barn, Sydney was impressed. "Wow. That's really cool."

Gage turned in his seat and looked at her. "You've never been out here?"

"No. I was never invited."

He pointed out the window. "Take the left fork."

"This tiny little road?"

"That's why it wasn't plowed the other night. Cory can't get the tow truck down it."

She glanced at him. "How often do you get snowed in?"

"I don't. I walk to Cooper's."

"Of course."

When they arrived at Gage's house, she was impressed all over again. "Wow."

"What were you expecting?"

"You've talked about your house a few times. That it was a fishing shack or something?"

"I don't think I ever referred to it as a shack."

"Whatever. It's beautiful."

"I've made some improvements over the years. I moved in ten years ago."

"And there's a creek?"

"Out back. Just beyond the fallen tree."

"Hmm. We'll check that out another time."

"Yeah. I think I'll avoid the creek for a while. At least until all the snow is gone."

Sydney parked in front of the house next to Gage's truck. Cooper had moved it back for him once the road was plowed. Gage took his time getting out of the car, and Sydney came around to help him.

He looked at her. "I'm fine. I got it."

She put up her hands. "Okay."

They headed for the porch and when they got to the steps, Sydney took his arm. He scowled at her. "I'm not an invalid."

She helped him up the steps. "Let's not get to the strangling stage on the first night."

"Alright." They went through the door and he went to the couch and sat down. "Go ahead. Check the place out."

"I intend to." She walked around the room, looked at the kitchen, then peeked into the bedroom. "Wow. Super clean." She returned to him. "Can I get you anything?"

"A beer would be great."

"Are you supposed to be drinking?"

"I'm not on any medication."

"I'll get you a beer then. May I have one, too?"

"Of course. I didn't know you drank beer."

"There's a lot you don't know about me."

"I imagine there is."

Sydney took two beers from the refrigerator, then handed him one. She set hers down on the pine table. "I'll make a fire. It's really cold in here."

Gage drank some beer while he watched Sydney build a fire in the wood stove. He was glad she was here. And he'd do his best not to chase her away.

She glanced over her shoulder at him. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm glad you're here."

She turned all the way around. "Really?"

"Yeah. Thank you."

"My pleasure. So far anyway."

Gage laughed. "Well, it's only been five minutes."

When she finished with the fire, she went to him. "Are you good? Do you need anything?"

"I'm good." He turned to lean against the arm of the couch, then put his feet up. "I'm tired again."

"Corbyn said it's to be expected."

"Tell me what you did today at the office."

Sydney sat in a chair, and while they drank their beers, she told him all about her day. She'd gotten a lot accomplished. And when they went in on Monday, it wouldn't take much to finish putting Tuesday's edition together.

When she finished, he nodded. "Thank you. It's like you don't even need me there."

"I'll admit. It was nice being there again. But you are still the captain of the boat. I'm just your stand-in first mate."

He finished his beer and set the bottle on the floor next to the couch. "Does this mean you'll consider coming back?"

"Would I still have a job?"

"Always."

"I have missed it. And I suppose once you're mayor, you'll need help."

"Definitely."

"And I guess it might as well be me."

He nodded. "It might as well be you. You already know what to do. I wouldn't need to train a new first mate."

"That would be pretty convenient for you."

He smiled. "Damn convenient."

Sydney laughed. "You're really hard to say no to sometimes."

"Then don't say no."

She took a drink of her beer. "Let's see how the weekend goes."

"Shit. Don't use this weekend as a gauge. I can't guarantee how well it's going to go."

"You'll just need to be on your best behavior."

Gage blew out a breath. "Wow. So much pressure."

"I think you're up to the task."

"You have more faith in me than I have in myself."

"That's not true. You are the most self-confident man I know. I think." She thought for a moment. "You're really hard on yourself. And your expectations of perfection are a bit unattainable. But still, when you take something on, you do it with the utmost confidence. Except for running for mayor. You're not exactly confident about that."

He held up a hand. "Where is this going? Because I feel like you're insulting me more than complimenting me."

"You're right. I'm sorry. Let's just say you're an enigma. One of a kind. And indescribable."

"That's not much better." He shook his head. "And what about all of that are you attracted to?"

"All of it."

"Hmm. You need to set your standards a little higher, Lois."

"I can't help it. You're my Superman."