Monroe, Marla - Their Border Lands Gift [Men of the Border Lands 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Marla Monroe Page B

As long as Mike is around, she thinks she is safe. I hope he lives. I would hate for her to lose her security.”
    “We’d never hurt her, Bruce.”
    “I know that and you know that, but she doesn’t.”
    “I guess you’re right,” Marcus said. I want her to be happy, Bruce. I love her. I’ve loved her almost from the beginning.”
    “I know. If she loses Mike, she’s not going to be happy for a long while. We’ll just have to deal with it.” Bruce ran a hand over his face.
    “Marcus?” Kate walked in.
    “What is it, baby?” He stood up and walked toward her.
    “Mike is sweating now. Should I keep bathing him?”
    “Let’s go look.” He looked over at Bruce then followed Kate back into the other room.
    Bruce sighed. Maybe God was looking out for all of them after all. He stood up and walked into the living room. Marcus was checking Mike while Kate wrung her hands watching.
    “He’s better, right?”
    “His fever is breaking. That’s good, Kate. Let’s keep him covered until it’s down to one hundred. Then we’ll dry him off and put dry clothes on him.
    Nearly an hour later, he was running a low-grade fever and his color was back to a more normal pink tint. Kate cried the entire time they changed his clothes. It took all three of them to dry him off and re-dress him in thermal underwear and socks. Then they re-covered him.
    “Thanks, both of you. He’s going to be okay now. I just know it.” Kate hugged them both then went back to tending to her brother.
    “It’s going to be a long healing process, Kate. He’s still got quite a ways to go,” Bruce warned her.
    “I know, but he’s going to be okay. That’s all that matters.” She held on to her brother’s hand, using it like a lifeline. As if as long as she was touching him, she was safe.
    Bruce sighed. At least she wouldn’t be afraid. That was important. Then he wondered what Mike would do once he was back on his feet. Would he stick around or leave Kate with them and move off somewhere? That would hurt Kate worse than if he’d died.
    Kate yawned and stretched. She had been on her feet caring for Mike for nearly six hours now and operating on less than five hours of sleep. They all three needed a nap. He knew he would never get her to leave Mike. He looked over at Marcus stretched out on the recliner.
    “Kate, baby. You’re tired. You need a nap.”
    “I’m not leaving Mike. Not until he wakes up and is coherent.”
    “Why don’t you sleep with Marcus over there in the recliner? You’ll be right here with him, and I can wake you if he wakes up.”
    “Oh, well. I can stretch out here on the floor. I’ll be fine.” She started to sit down, but Bruce caught her.
    “No you don’t. You’re not sleeping on a cold floor. You’ll sleep with Marcus. You can keep each other warm.” He scooped her up and deposited her in Marcus’s lap.
    His brother opened an eye and wrapped his arms around her. “Hey, Kate. You feel good. Keep me warm.”
    Kate opened her mouth then closed it and sighed. She settled down and got comfortable. Bruce watched as she slowly fell asleep. His brother’s smile told him that Marcus was happy to have her in his arms. He knew how it felt to hold her—peaceful. Bruce hoped that one day, she’d feel that same peace being in their arms.
    He settled down to watch after Mike while the other slept. The man seemed to be breathing well and had kept his natural pink coloring ever since the fever had broken. He kept the fire going and waited for the three of them to wake up.

Chapter Nine

    “Kate?”
    Mike’s voice roused Bruce from his thoughts. He leaned forward from his chair and felt the young man’s forehead. It felt cool to the touch.
    “Where’s Kate?” Mike asked.
    “She’s asleep over there in the chair with Marcus. How are you feeling?”
    “Tired, but okay. She’s okay? They didn’t hurt her?”
    “She’s fine, Mike. Other than being worried sick about you.” Bruce stood up and stretched.