Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)(57)

“I’m so hot. And I can’t keep my eyes open.”


“Have you taken anything to drop your fever?”


She shook her head. “Just antibiotics. I get these nasty sinus infections and sometimes I get a fever and sometimes I don’t. This time I did.”


“You want aspirin or Tylenol?”


“Tylenol. It’s in the middle drawer in my bathroom vanity.”


“I’ll get you a glass of water,” Hayden said and took off.


Kane shook out two pills and handed them over when Hayden returned with the water. “Bottoms up.”


After Ginger drained the water glass, she rolled back down on the mattress. Her eyes were still cloudy with fever as her gaze flicked between Kane and her son. “How long have you been here?”


“About ten minutes. Hayden called me because he was worried about you.”


“What time is it?”


“Almost eleven.”


She squinted at the window. “Eleven…at night?”


“Uh-huh.”


Shock flashed across her face. She looked at Hayden. Her eyes glazed with tears. “Oh, baby. I’m sorry you’ve been alone…”


“I’m okay. But when I couldn’t wake you I called Buck.”


“And I am mighty glad you did, sport. Why don’t you head to the kitchen and figure out what you wanna eat? I’ll be there in a sec.”


Hayden laid his head on his mother’s chest. “We’ll take care of you, Mommy. Just like me’n Buck did last time.”


“Thanks.”


Ginger broke down the second Hayden fled the room. “I am the most horrible mother on the planet.”


Tears streamed down her face. “Leaving an eight-year-old boy to fend for himself while I was sacked out in my room? What if he’d gotten hurt? What if he’d locked himself outside? What if—”


“Stop. C’mere.” Kane gathered her in his arms. “He’s fine. He’s a smart boy.”


“Oh God, Kane, don’t be nice to me. I don’t deserve it.” She muffled her cries against his chest and he felt the heat of her feverish skin through his shirt.


“Ginger, sugar, cut yourself some slack. You can’t help bein’ sick.”


“But I’m never sick. And even if I am, I can still take care of my kid.”


“This might be what you lawyers call ‘extenuating circumstances’, doncha think?”


“That’s not a good excuse for neglecting my child.”


Kane rested his chin on top of her head. “Nothin’ I say will ease your guilt?”


“N-no,” she stuttered.


“How about the fact Hayden played Xbox all day while you were conked out?”


She made a sobbing laugh sound. “Really?”


“Yep. Probably was a good thing he let you sleep because you must’ve needed it. But don’t you dare rat me out.”


“I won’t.” She tipped her head back and looked at him. “Thank you for coming over.”


“Anytime.” He smoothed the tiny wild curls springing up from her hairline. “You hungry? I can fix you something while I’m makin’ Hayden a snack.”


“No, thanks.”


Ginger gave him such a somber look his heart sank. Was she throwing him out, now that she was awake?


“What?” he said, a little testily.


“Are you tired of coming to my rescue?”


Never. Kane smooched both her cheeks. “Nope. I like playin’ the part of the brave knight who saves the beautiful damsel in distress. Besides, lookin’ after you and Hayden ain’t exactly a chore, Ginger. I like doin’ it. A lot.”


“Why?”


“Honestly? My whole life Kade’s been seen as the responsible one. The stand-up guy. And I’ve been seen as the good-time guy. No responsibilities beyond ranch work. People around here assume I prefer bein’ a bachelor and tryin’ to score with every hot chick…rather than look harder to see the real truth.”


“What’s the real truth, Kane?”


“I want the life everyone thinks I’m tryin’ so hard to avoid. It don’t matter how much I’ve changed…


they see me as they want.” Kane traced the indent in her chin. “It means a lot that you see me differently. I know you want my help even when it nearly kills you to ask for it when you don’t think you need it. I like that you let me take care of you. Even when it’s hard as the dickens to admit you like me takin’ care of you.


You trust me with your son. You trust me on a level no one ever has, Red.”


“You’ve never given me a reason not to trust you.”


“Good. I hope that don’t ever change.” He resettled her on the pillow. “Need anything before I continue my knightly duties?”


She shook her head and closed her eyes.


Would Ginger remember that he’d basically poured his heart out? He sure hoped so.