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Even with his teeth occasionally clenching from pain— ibuprofen could only do so much for a broken bone—Brett found himself impressed with the guys’ ingenuity.

They’d used a length of paracord that someone had had in their backpack to lash together a number of branches they’d gathered. Evidently, someone had also been carrying a foldable hand saw, so they’d been able to cut them into fairly uniform sizes. With them, they’d created a sort of hammock chair, complete with straps to attach to a pair of carrying poles.

Currently, four of the guys—Nedrick, Michel, Luther, and Preall—were carrying him down the mountain.

When Brett had been pulled out of the hole, Karissa had immediately run to him and tried to latch onto his arm as usual. Fortunately, Nedrick had been there to stop her. She’d demanded he get out of the way, but he’d held firm.

Thank god.

With the size of the four men and the chair, there wasn’t room for Karissa to walk beside him. Tabatha had urged her to walk behind the group instead.

“Don’t worry, Brett, honey,” Karissa called, trying to peer between Nedrick and Michel, who were holding the rear of the poles. “I’ll take ever so good care of you after the doctor sees you.”

Brett could just make out Karissa’s strident expression as she looked over Nedrick’s shoulder.

“It’s just a broken wrist,” Brett countered, shaking his head. “I’ll be fine. I don’t need help.”

As Karissa frowned, Nedrick arched a brow in silent challenge. When Karissa pouted and her face disappeared, the guy smirked and winked. Sighing, Brett did his best to relax and just enjoy the ride.

At first, Brett had tried to insist that he could walk. Of course, that had only worked for about five minutes before he started getting light-headed. It’d been damn embarrassing, so he’d agreed to the ride.

When they reached the bottom and the trail widened, Karissa again tried to push near. Fortunately, a pair of park rangers, as well as the doctor, were there waiting for him. A big blond park ranger with a shaved head told Karissa to stay back. The second one, a just as large black guy, approached with a slender blond man.

The blond sported short, spiky hair and greeted him with a warm smile. “Hi, Brett.” He regarded him kindly, his blue eyes holding a wealth of understanding. “I’m Doctor Lark Trystan, but please, just call me Lark.” His gaze swept over Brett assessingly. “Looks like you had a bit of trouble today. Don’t worry. We’ll take you to my clinic, and I’ll have you fixed up in no time.” Pointing at a large black SUV, Lark ordered, “Nedrick, take him and help him into the middle seat.”

Nedrick nodded.

As the four guys stopped beside the SUV, Brett heard the other ranger claim, “I’m Ranger Dixon Holsteen. I’m gonna need to speak with you all and get your statements before you can go anywhere.” The rest of the group gathered around him, while Jerry hung back and gave Leo a big hug and kiss, since Leo had been the one to go and call for help.

“But I want to go with Brett,” Karissa demanded, resting her hand on her hip. “He’s my boyfriend. He may need me.”

“I’m sure Brett will call you if he needs anything,” Dixon countered. “Now, can you tell me what happened?”

Brett didn’t bother listening as several people started talking at once.

“Come on, Brett,” Nedrick urged. Sliding his arm around his waist, he helped him from the chair. “Let’s get you in and sitting.”

Pausing at the door, Brett reached into his shorts pocket and pulled out his keys. “Uh, my Envoy ?”

“I’ll make sure someone drives it back to the campground,” Michel claimed, taking the keys. To Brett’s surprise, Nedrick handed the big man his Jeep ’s keys, too, and Michel told him, “And I’ll give these to Dixon to take to Declan’s.”

“Thanks, man,” Nedrick replied.

Before Brett could wonder about that, Nedrick urged him into the middle captain’s chair on the right side. To his surprise, Nedrick slipped into the back, settling on the third-row seating. Lark climbed into the second chair to his left. He lifted the armrest and turned to face him, a reassuring smile on his face.

“Don’t worry, Brett,” Lark told him again. “We’ll take good care of you.” Pointing at the black park ranger who was sliding behind the wheel, he explained, “That’s Ranger Declan McIntire, my partner, and we’re headed to the clinic I run out of our home. We’ll be able to get you all cleaned up, take X-rays, and see what we’re dealing with.”

As the SUV pulled out of the parking lot, Lark began asking Brett about his medical history.

*

Nearly two hours later, Brett reclined on an examination bed in a nice-sized upstairs space in Lark’s clinic above his and Declan’s massive lodge-style home. His left arm was now in a cast from his palm to just below his elbow. Lark had shown him the X-ray, pointing out where his ulna had a break about two inches from his wrist. The doctor had told him he was lucky it was a clean break and that it could take anywhere from four to six weeks to heal.

Brett couldn’t believe how exhausted he felt, but even as his eyelids drooped, he wanted a shower even more. He felt grimy from not only the hike and fall but also from the pain-sweats he’d endured. Those were the worst, always leaving him feeling slimy and stinking to high heaven.

Lark entered the room again with a small white paper bag. There was paperwork stapled to it. “This is your pain meds, antibiotics, and instructions,” he told him, handing it off to Nedrick, who’d followed the doc into the room. “You can take something for the pain every four hours or as needed. The antibiotics need to be taken morning and evening with food for the next four days until they’re gone.” Then Lark glanced between them before focusing on Nedrick. “You’ll make sure that happens, I presume?” A small smile toyed around Lark’s lips, and his blue eyes twinkled as if he knew some big secret.

What the hell? And why is he entrusting me to Ned’s care? We barely know each other. Why would the doc expect him to care for me?

While Brett had zero desire to deal with Karissa, he would’ve thought Tyler would have been the logical choice to help him, but other than receiving a text from his buddy saying he would see him at the campground, Brett hadn’t heard from the man.

What the hell is going on around here?

“Of course, doc,” Nedrick immediately replied. He pinned Brett with a look that he didn’t understand as he stated, “I’ll take good care of Brett.”

Lark grinned, glancing between them. “Wonderful.” Then he reached out and touched Nedrick’s forearm, drawing his attention. “And congratulations.”

Nedrick grinned. “Thanks.” The doctor turned away and headed out of the room, pausing in the doorway to add, “And of course, if you have any problems or questions, my cell number’s on the paperwork. Just call.”

Brett nodded even as he wondered how many doctors gave patients their personal numbers.

Must be a country doctor thing.

“Okay, Brett.” Nedrick crossed to the bed. “Are you ready to get out of here?”

“Yeah.” Brett slid to the edge of the bed and eased to his feet. “Let’s go.”

As Brett found his feet, Nedrick rested a hand on the small of his back, as if ready to catch him if he dropped. It’d nearly happened when he’d exited the SUV. It’d been damn embarrassing.

Fortunately, whatever medicine the doc had given him was stronger than the over-the-counter stuff, and his arm no longer throbbed. Unfortunately, his head did feel a little woozy from it. Brett wasn’t a big fan of drugs, but he was willing to take the heavier stuff for a day or two before switching to lighter stuff.

Not my first rodeo.

“Come on,” Nedrick encouraged. He stuck by Brett as they headed down a hallway to a lobby-type area. Once reaching it, Nedrick asked, “Stairs or elevator?”

While they’d been waiting for the X-ray results, Nedrick had explained that Lark and Declan had added an addition not too long ago. They’d created a large screened-in porch at the back of the house to support a second-story addition. They’d expanded Lark’s clinic while adding an exterior entrance on that side of the house with both stairs and an elevator large enough to handle a stretcher.

“Stairs are fine,” Brett claimed, and they headed out into the afternoon sun. Making his way down them slowly, he gripped the railing with his right hand. “Hey, uh, do you know where I can get some plastic bags to protect my cast?” Brett really should have thought of it before. “I could really go for a shower right about now.”

“There’s some in the bag,” Nedrick claimed, holding it up. As they reached the bottom, he eyed Brett with a worried expression. “Not sure you’re up for a shower at the campground.” Just as quickly, Nedrick grinned. “I know just the thing, though. Come on.”

Nedrick led the way to his Jeep . The second park ranger—Dixon—had popped into the room to not only take both of their statements but to give Nedrick his keys. The man had even asked Brett if he wanted to press charges against Karissa for pushing him, which he hadn’t. He understood that it had been an accident, after all, no matter how possessive and bitchy she was turning out to be.

To Brett’s surprise, Nedrick opened the door for him. He even touched his hip, as if ready to help him inside if need be. Once inside, the man grinned as he shut the door.

After hurrying around the hood of his vehicle, typing something on his phone as he went, Nedrick climbed behind the wheel. They both buckled their belts before he fired up the engine. Nedrick turned around in the large driveway and headed onto the road.

“How are you feeling?” Nedrick asked as he drove. “Really?” He gave him a quick searching look before returning his focus to the road. “I can’t imagine that you could scrub or pour shampoo with one hand.”

Brett grimaced, having not thought of that. “I’ll figure out a way to manage.”

“You don’t have to manage,” Nedrick countered, glancing his way again. His voice deepened a little as he murmured, “That’s why I’m here. To help.”

Confusion flickering through him, Brett furrowed his brows as he eyed him. “How are you going to do that?”

Nedrick smiled widely. “Just leave that to me, handsome.” He winked. “Leave it to me.”

Uncertain of what to say or what Nedrick was thinking, Brett lapsed into silence. Soon, Nedrick was turning the Jeep into a driveway, and a medium-sized log home appeared between the trees. The graying logs showed off its age, but it appeared to be in great shape. The stone chimney off to the right stretched toward the sky. A large porch encompassed the front with a couple of rocking chairs on one side of the steps and a two-seater swing on the other. Two dormers revealed the home had at least a loft-style second floor.

“It’s beautiful,” Brett murmured, leaning forward and taking it all in. “Is it really as old as it looks? Or was it built to emulate age?”

Appearing pleased, Nedrick told him, “It was built in the early nineteen-twenties.” He parked the Jeep , turning off the engine, before adding, “When I bought it, it was pretty run down. It took a few years, but I fixed it up. Modernized the interior, of course.” With a wink, Nedrick slid out while saying, “I love modern plumbing and great water pressure.”

Brett nodded. He could understand that. He couldn’t imagine living in a time before showers and hot water.

“Come on, Brett,” Nedrick urged, having rounded the hood and opened his door while he was still checking out the home. “I have something to show you.”

Instead of leading Brett into the house, Nedrick headed between the structure and a free-standing garage to the back. There was a large patio that led to a back door. A woodshed could be seen a bit further on with several rows of stacked wood inside it.

Nedrick stopped before a six-by-eight structure attached to the back of the house and opened the door.

To Brett’s surprise, it wasn’t a storage shed. Instead, he found himself staring into an outdoor shower. There was a bench seat on the left side with rounded corner shelves above it containing several bottles. The large showerhead came out of the back wall to the right and boasted a detachable head.

“Wow,” Brett murmured, lifting his brows. “I wouldn’t have expected this.”

Chuckling, Nedrick placed Brett’s bag of meds, which he hadn’t even noticed the man had been carrying, on the nearby patio table. “Told you. Love my modern conveniences.” Pointing at the woods, Nedrick explained, “I love running in the woods, but I don’t like tracking anything inside, so I shower out here first.”

As Nedrick spoke, he opened a chest to the left of the structure and pulled out a couple of towels, placing them on the lid after he closed it. He returned to Brett’s side and reached for the hem of his shirt. Unable to help himself, Brett tensed and took a step backward.

“Let’s be careful so we don’t jostle your arm,” Nedrick murmured, rubbing his side soothingly. “This is me helping, taking care of you.”

Brett couldn’t remember the last time someone had offered to take care of him. He was an only child, and his parents weren’t exactly maternal. They weren’t cold exactly, just disinterested. At least they helped pay for college—fifty-fifty, they’d told him, so he could learn responsibility.

After a nod, Brett allowed Nedrick to work his shirt off him. The man was patient and careful, easing the short sleeve over his cast. He folded the shirt in half and draped it over a patio chair before opening the paper bag. Nedrick returned a moment later with a plastic bag and a rubber band.

Holding out his arm, Brett let Nedrick wrap his cast.

“I’ll start the water if you want to kick out of the rest of your clothes,” Nedrick stated. “It won’t take but a minute for the water to heat.”

Without waiting for a response, Nedrick turned and did just that. He twisted a couple of knobs, and the water started.

Brett hesitated, staring longingly at the streaming water. His desire for a shower overrode his reticence at getting nude, and he crossed to the patio. Once he’d unlaced his hiking boots, he toed them off, followed by his socks. Brett paused again with his hand over his fly, but then he realized how ridiculous that was.

The man helped me piss, after all, then felt up everything I got.

The memory caused his neck to heat, and he fought against his rising blush. He quickly unbuttoned and unzipped, then pushed the shorts down. Nedrick turned around just as Brett was peeling off his briefs, and seeing the appreciative gleam in Nedrick’s brown eyes, Brett lost the fight with his blush.

“You’re spectacular, my mate,” Nedrick crooned, his eyes narrowing as he swept his gaze over him appreciatively. “Stunning.”

Having no idea what to say to that, Brett hurried past him along the stone path and slipped into the shower. He began closing the door behind him, but Nedrick’s hand stopped him. Brett gaped as he watched the other man climb into the spacious shower, naked as the day he was born.

“What are you doing?” Brett would forever deny the squeak in his voice.

“Taking care of you,” Nedrick replied, gripping his hips and turning him around. “Just relax and enjoy.”

Brett did as Nedrick urged, his mind racing.

Shock. That’s gotta be why I’m going along with this.