Mariah smiled. "Never thought of it that way, but okay."
"So. Is my brother being a jerk still?"
"Kerr?" She glanced back toward the closed door.
"No, Mr. Grumpy Pants. Vaughn."
"He seems to care a lot about his family," Mariah gave it her best politic response.
"Nuh uh. I might not be able to see your face, but I'm not deaf or stupid. He's being a moron, isn't he?"
"It's really not for me to say..."
"So, you mean, yes, he's a dumbass."
"Shelby—"
The woman plowed ahead. "He's had a lot of bad stuff to deal with, and, yes, he worries about us." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just want him to find happiness."
"Of course."
"And I think he should try to find it with you."
Mariah's mouth gaped open. "No, I don't. That's. Not appropriate. Um..."
"The only problem? That numb nut is too stupid to figure it out. Most guys are dumber than two bricks smacked together when it comes to women. Trust me, I know," she said with a raised brow and a nod toward the door.
"How in the world did you go from being comatose to analyzing nonexistent relationships?"
"It's a gift." Shelby's laugh lit up her whole face. "Seriously, when can I go home?"
Rocking back on her heels, Mariah said, "I'd like to run a few more tests today, then maybe home tomorrow. That would be Thursday, in case you've lost track of days."
"Works for me." A shadow of a frown came and went. "I can't wait to be back on the ranch."
"You do understand you can't do a whole lot, right? Your immediate future includes rest, more antibiotics, additional procedures, and physical therapy."
"I know. It's just... time to be home. Where I belong. With family."
Another twist of the imaginary knife in Mariah's chest made her cough.
Then the air changed. Became heavier, solid.
Secure. Warm.
A quick headache came and went, and she rubbed her forehead.
Vaughn stepped into the room. "Man, am I relieved you're awake." A leather jacket was draped over his arm, and he leaned against the doorjamb. But nothing else about his demeanor signaledcasual. Every line in his big body was tense.
Mariah froze, her pulse pounding so loud that the others had to hear it.
Damn him, did he not own any loose shirts? It took all of her power not to auscultate the guy's heart sounds, just to get close to those pectorals.
"You sound tired." Shelby turned her head in Vaughn's direction.
"Little bit," he said. "I'm fine." He faced Mariah.
How had she not noticed the shadows under his cheekbones? He still filled the room with a massive physical presence, but it looked like the guy had lost weight. He appeared exhausted, even when he stared at her with that stark, tight gaze.
