Page 156 of Captivated
Another scowl. “Four weeks of this.Fuck.”
“And as for everyone fussing, I’m happy you’re here to listen to them.” Nate narrowed his gaze. “Because the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Zeeb opened his mouth to speak, but clammed up when the door opened and Teague walked in.
Teague pulled out a chair and sat at the table. “Robert called to see how you were doing.”
Nate glared at Zeeb.Go on—complain about Robert. I dare you.
Zeeb took one look at Nate and coughed. “I’m doing okay.” He winced. “Shit. That hurts.”
“That’s kinda why I’m here.” Teague removed his hat and set it down on the table. “The boss says you’re not going to be doing any work for a while.”
Nate raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Thank you. I’ve been trying to tell him this ever since we left the hospital.”
Zeeb pouted, and if Nate hadn’t been so annoyed with him, it would’ve been adorable.
“I’m okay,” Zeeb protested. “The docs said so.”
“Uh-uh. What they said was there was no brain swelling or bleeding, so you could be discharged.” Nate gave him another pointed stare. “They also said you have a helluva lot of bruising, and movement—anymovement—is going to be painful. For weeks. Maybe longer.”
“Listen to him, Zeeb,” Teague said. “It’ll take time to heal. You’re not as young as you once were.” His lips twitched. “Which is exactly what the boss said on the phone. He also mentioned the sleeping arrangements.”
Nate knew what was coming. Robert had already broached the subject with him in a phone call the previous night.
He’d been buzzing ever since.
Zeeb blinked. “What arrangements? I’m gonna sleep in my bunk, same as I always do.”
Teague shook his head. “While you’re healing up, you’re going to need taking care of. So Robert has arranged a nurse for you. So?—”
Zeeb’s eyebrows shot up. “What the everlovin’fuck? I don’t need no nurse.”
Teague’s eyes twinkled. “If you’ll let me finish?” He smiled. “Allow me to introduce you to… Nurse Caldwell.”
Nate grinned. “Something tells me you’re going to be a bad patient.”
Zeeb gaped. “What the fuck is going on around here?”
“It’s simple.” Teague clasped his hands on the table. “Nate’s back in the cabin. All his stuff is there. That seemed the most logical place for him at the moment. But until you’re better, you’re going to be staying with him. No distractions. No trying to sneak off to the stable before you’re ready, just so you can climb on a horse and bust something else. You need peace and quiet.” He locked gazes with Zeeb. “Time to heal.”
Zeeb glanced at Nate, who nodded. “Robert asked if I’d be okay with it. I told him of course.”
“I thought you said you were gonna work on the ranch.” Zeeb frowned. “You can’t do thatandlook after me.”
“Iwillbe working—but only once you’re back on your feet. Right now you take priority.”
“And before you think of objecting some more, can I remind you of something?” Teague’s face tightened. “Robert’s spending a lot of time at the hospital, so that means I’m in charge.” He arched his eyebrows. “You hear me? For now,I’mthe boss. So what I say goes.” Teague leaned back and folded his arms. “Got it? I tell you to flap your arms and cluck like a chicken, you’d better hop to it, mother clucker.”
Zeeb snorted. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Teague let out a wry chuckle. “I won’t.” Then he sighed. “To be honest, I just want things back the way they were. I want Toby home.”
Nate’s throat tightened. “Me too.” He didn’t know Toby all that well, but it was obvious from listening to the hands that he was a good guy.
“The boss said something else. Saturday should be when we have our monthly supper for the hands up at the house. He said we’re to have it as usual.”
Zeeb stilled. “With Toby in the hospital? That don’t seem right.”
