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soft as a marshmallow on the inside, aren’t you?”
    He felt a small hitch in his throat at the vulnerable tone she used.
    “Yeah, you nailed me.”
    She pressed her lips to his palm and drifted away, saying nothing further. He forced himself to rise from her cozy, comfortable bed and move to the overstuffed chair in the corner nearby. At least it had an ottoman so he could prop his feet up. He slipped his boots off and got comfortable.

     
    * * * *

     
    Juliana woke during the night, disoriented and groggy. Her eyes wouldn’t cooperate at first and felt like they were lined with sandpaper. She reached up to rub them and bopped herself in the forehead with her cast. Then she remembered what had happened.
    She attempted the same maneuver with the other hand and groaned when her stitched and wrapped finger started throbbing. Bad move.
    She used her left elbow to prop herself up, thinking to get some Tylenol from her bathroom but rethought that action when it pulled on her stitches. She lay back down with a groan, and then she noticed Ash as he sat up and came to her, concern in his eyes. He looked wide awake.
    “What’s the matter, darlin’? What do you need?”
    “Ash? You stayed?”

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    He grinned. “Yeah, you were pretty out of it when you fell asleep.
    The doctor doesn’t want you to be alone tonight.” He checked his watch. “It’s about three o’clock. Are you in pain?”
    “Yes. I can’t seem to get up without making something hurt.”
    “Stay right there and I’ll get it for you. How is your stomach?”
    “My stomach feels fine now. The pain reliever is in the medicine cabinet in my bathroom.”
    Ash went to the bathroom, got what she needed, and refilled her water glass then brought them back to her. He helped her to sit up in the bed, and she took the pills and then handed the glass back to him after draining it.
    “You didn’t eat any supper last night. Do you want some crackers or a piece of toast?” he asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.
    “No, I think I’d better wait until the morning, but I could use an ice pack. My finger is throbbing like crazy. I must have put pressure on it in my sleep.”
    “I’ll be right back.”
    He fixed her an ice pack and wrapped it around her hand with a dish towel, helping her to lie down and position herself on her other side, with both hands propped up.
    “It was nice of you to stay with me, Ash. You must be exhausted.”
    “Actually, your chair is fairly comfortable. Why don’t you go back to sleep now. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
    Juliana closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep but gradually came fully awake. She’d knocked her sleep schedule off-kilter by dozing throughout the evening and then falling asleep so early, or at least, early for her. She lay quietly listening to Ash and heard him sigh and shift in the chair. A few minutes later, he shifted again.
    “Ash?”
    “Yeah, darlin’?” His faintly accented voice was a balm to her senses in the quiet of the room.
    “I can’t sleep. You can’t get comfortable. Will you come lay down with me?” Yeah, because that would help her fall asleep. This
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    would no doubt be an exercise in self-torture, but she knew he was not comfortable, either. If he was willing to stay to watch over her, the least she could do was make him comfortable. She posed it as a direct request, knowing he wouldn’t come to bed if she asked him if he’d like to.
    “You sure, darlin’? I’m afraid I’d wind up hurting your stitches or banging on your wrist.”
    “I’ll be okay. You won’t wobble me on this mattress. Just be careful when you scooch in.”
    “Which side?”
    “Behind me. There’s more space on that side of the bed.”
    “You sure?” he asked, sounding unsure.
    “Yes, Ash. I’d feel better if you were lying down, comfortable, and I…I’d like it if you came closer. I promise I’ll behave,” she said with a faint chuckle.
    He sounded like he was smiling