He gave what looked like a reluctant smile. Yeah. We can move on. Shot of whiskey, cowboy?
Sure. Why not.
He rose smoothly to his feet. Ive got a thirty-year-old Glenlivet. He opened a cupboard in the small kitchen alcove. That ought to be in keeping with the theme of our surroundings.
It sounded good to Abigail. She hoped he made it a double.
It sounded good to Abigail. She hoped he made it a double.
On the rocks? he asked, setting two short, crystal glasses on the countertop.
Please.
The ice cubes clinked, and the cork made a hollow popping sound as he pulled it out of the bottle. She watched as he poured the amber liquid over the small ice cubes. It looked like at least a double. Good. That would help her sleep.
He lifted both glasses and turned. Do you think it would compromise beer sales if we were to offer scotch whiskey at the restaurant?
I think most customers would like to have the choice, she answered.
Me, too. He handed her one of the glasses then sat back down in the armchair. I liked your idea about flagons of ale. I think we could do a lot with a historic theme. He swirled his glass and inhaled appreciatively. Then he took a first sip.
Abigail followed suit. The liquid burned her throat, but in a good way, and she appreciated the warmth that radiated out into her bloodstream. She took a second sip. This was going to feel very good on her arm.
Alex has always been a bit of a scotch aficionado, Zach continued. He got me into it, too. Theres no reason why we couldnt make that a specialty, maybe do a bit of recon through Scotland, check out some of the lesser-known distilleries, the rarer brands.
Abigail found herself nodding. What a fantastic job that would be. And what a fun addition to the restaurant. She took another sip. It had taken her a while to develop a taste for scotch, but now that she had, she found it a very satisfying and civilized beverage.
If you feel up to it tomorrow, will you help me hunt through the upper floors?
I have to get back to the ranch. Though, at the moment, driving the stick shift didnt sound very appealing.
A hundred different people can drive the truck to the ranch, said Zach. Youre the only one who has a vision for my restaurant.
Though she knew he was only being kind, her heart warmed at the compliment. She did have a vision for his restaurant. At least, she had a vision that she liked. There was no way to know if anyone else would like it. Staying definitely sounded more appealing than going.
Then again, staying anywhere lately sounded more appealing to her than going home to the ranch. She didnt know whether shed become spoiled or lazy. But she needed to get past that.
I really have to go home, she told him, knowing there was a trace of apology in her tone.
Lets play it by ear. He swirled his drink.
Good enough.
She knew she wasnt going to change her mind, but she could always tell him that in the morning.
She lifted her glass to her lips and realized shed emptied it.
Went down good? he asked.
Too good, she acknowledged.
Refill?
She shook her head. She was already pleasantly woozy, and more than a little tired.
You want to lie down?
I should try to sleep, she admitted, coming to her feet. Down the hall? she asked, remembering there were a couple of smaller bedrooms between the suite and the back staircase.
He rose with her. Take my bed.
Oh, no, no, no. She shook her head.
Give me a break. I mean you should sleep in it alone. Youve got the bathroom here, and its comfortable-
Ill be fine anywhere. Ive slept beside campfires and in line shacks half my life.
He moved toward her. Good for you. But not when youre hurt. And not on my watch.
Im not made of spun glass, Zach.
Really? Could have fooled me, cowboy. His arm encircled her shoulder. What with all your pouting, impatience and temper tantrums.
Stop mocking me.
He urged her away from the couch, while Ozzy settled himself in the warm spot shed left behind. Humor me. Please. Ill feel like a cad if I send you to a cold bedroom down the hall while I snuggle in here.
She couldnt help chuckling. Snuggle?
Once he had her walking, he steered her to the bed. Yes. I want you to snuggle. He pulled back the covers.
Fine, she reluctantly agreed. She was here. She was tired. She was sore. If he was going to insist, shed bloody well sleep in his bed.
She sat down on the crisp sheet, and the robe slipped off her knee. After a moment, she was aware of Zachs still silence. She glanced up at him.
What happened? he demanded.
She followed the direction of his gaze, coming to a purple, half-healed bruise on the middle of her thigh.
Oh, that. She covered it up with the robe. I was painting the other day. I tripped halfway down the ladder and smacked into one of the rails.
You were painting a house?
A shed.
And you fell down a ladder?
It wasnt a big deal. Embarrassed that he was going to think she was a hopeless klutz, she pulled her legs up onto the bed, curling them under the covers.
And this? he asked.
Too late, she realized the robe had fallen off her shoulder.
Zachs thumb traced a barely visible bruise on the tip.
Pulling a horseshoe.
Oh, Doll-Face. He sighed.
Before she knew what was happening, hed leaned in and kissed the fading bruise.
Zach, she warned.
Scoot over.
They couldnt do this. She couldnt do this. No matter how much she might think she wanted to do this.
I cant, she managed to say.
Thats not what I meant. Youre hurt. Youre tired. Youre a little drunk.
Im not drunk.
I gave you a lot of scotch.
It helped.
That was the point.
But Im not drunk.
I just want to hold you. He eased her to the middle of the bed. Just for a few minutes.
Why? she asked with suspicion, holding herself stiff.
He stretched out beside her. I dont know. He circled an arm around her, but stopped before he touched her. Any other sore spots I should know about?
My ribs, she answered before she thought it through. She probably should have kept that to herself.
His expression darkened. What happened to your ribs?
I came off a horse. It happens a lot.
He closed his eyes for a long second, but then his arm curled ever so gently around her stomach. It never happens to me.
She couldnt help smiling at that. The warmth of his arm felt very good against her stomach. As her body relaxed, he put his own head down on the pillow.
You need to find a safer job, he muttered.
I need to find someone who wont fight with me all the time.
Cant argue with that.
Well, theres a first.
Abigail awoke in Zachs arms. There was no way to tell how long hed stayed with her last night. The whiskey had put her into a sound sleep, and this morning he was showered and changed, lying on top of the quilt, while she was tucked underneath it.
Morning, he intoned in a deep, lazy voice, smoothing her hair back from her forehead.
What time is it? She stifled a yawn.
Nearly nine.
Nine? She started to sit up, but a jolt of pain shot through her arm. She gritted her teeth, just barely controlling an outburst. I have to call Travis.
I already did.
Excuse me? She must have misunderstood.
I called Travis. Hes sending someone out to the highway to pick up the truck.
I called Travis. Hes sending someone out to the highway to pick up the truck.
Abigail struggled to a sitting position, using her good arm to hold the covers across her chest where the robe had come open while she slept. You had no right to do that.
Youre definitely in no shape to drive home.
She groaned out a frustrated exclamation.
Hungry? he asked.
I dont even know what to say to that.
Yes?
Since when did you become Traviss best friend?
I told him about the stitches.
He already knew I had stitches.
You downplayed it. And we agreed it would be better for you to wait a day or two before going back to work.
What is wrong with you?
He offered to come and pick you up, but I told him Id make sure you got home.
Seriously, Zach. You cant just up and plan another persons life.
I consulted your family, he defended with a straight face.
Thats not the point.
Youve always made it clear their opinion was important.
Oh no you dont. She shook her head vigorously. She wasnt about to let him use her family against her. She might love and respect them, but that didnt mean Zach got to do an end run around her own wishes.
He moved to a sitting position, swinging his legs so that his feet rested on the floor. Then he twisted back to look at her. Do you really want to go home right away?
Part of her did, and part of her didnt. There was always plenty of bookwork for her to do at the ranch. So she could rest up for a couple of days and still be useful. Then again, Zach had her enthusiastic about the restaurant, and it would be fun to prowl through the castle for a few hours.
This afternoon would be fine, I guess.
He smiled at that. I washed your clothes.
Okay, that embarrassed her. Really?
Theyre on the counter in the bathroom. He stood. Ill go get us some breakfast. You need anything else? A couple of painkillers?
Some aspirin would be nice.
I can get you something stronger.
What are you, my dealer?
He chuckled at that. Im just trying to make you comfortable.
She realized that he was. She was the one being surly and antagonistic. All the poor man had done was rescue her from the side of the road, get her medical attention, inform her family and take care of her truckload of ranch supplies, while she was doing nothing but give him grief.
Aspirin will be fine, she told him, determining to do her best to help him gather some ideas for the restaurant. It was the least she could do to pay him back.
See you in a couple of minutes.
He left the room with Ozzy at his heels, and by the time shed freshened up and gotten dressed, the pair of them were back, Zach carrying a tray of coffee and two stacks of delicious-smelling pancakes.
Where did you get all this? she asked, taking a seat at the small table. There were two aspirin tablets sitting next to a glass of orange juice, and she popped them into her mouth and washed them down.
Theres a kitchen in the staff area. Staff members do some cooking for lunches and things, since were so far from any services up here. But, in this case, I got the food from the catering truck set up for the construction site. He sat down across from her, pouring syrup onto his plate of pancakes. You need any help?