Richard’s arms tightened momentarily around her, and he braced himself as Boone turned, flipped on the hazard lights, and nailed the accelerator.
“Well, I should’ve been more careful. I’m sorry.”
Kendall reached back and stroked her knee and said, “No need to apologize. I’m sorry it happened, but I’m glad you weren’t alone, like earlier.”
Richard shuddered and held her closer. His lips were pressed together in a straight line as he looked into her eyes.
A smile came to her lips as she watched him watching her, and he said, “I’ve never noticed before that your blue eyes have a hint of green to them. They’re beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Maya whispered. “Your eyes are, too.” She spoke quietly because she didn’t want the guys to hear her complimenting his unusual eyes and give him a hard time. She had a feeling he was self-conscious about them.
He shrugged. “Most people are put off by them. I know they’re kind of strange to look at.”
Maya shook her head and said, “I love them.” He closed his eyes, and she reached a fingertip to his lightly bearded jaw. She tilted his face so he would look at her again and kissed the center of his chin. He kissed her lips lightly and asked, “How does your hand feel?”
“The bite is throbbing and my hand is a little tingly and hot, but that might be from binding it. How much farther?”
Kendall turned and said, “Just a couple of minutes.”
* * * *
Richard held the door for Maya several hours later as the four of them emerged from the Divine Hospital Emergency Room. He shuddered again at the memory of her scream of fright and pain, and the way she’d tumbled to the ground after she’d been bit. She’d struggled to her feet to get farther away but had tripped, and he’d done everything in his power to make sure she didn’t hit the ground again. The pain and shock in her angelic blue eyes had fired every single one of his protective instincts. He hadn’t been able to let her go until it was absolutely necessary at the emergency room so she could be treated. Even then he’d held her hand every chance he’d gotten.
Proving that news traveled fast in a small town, a reporter from the Divine Courier had come by to interview her and asked if they’d killed the snake so he might take a picture of it. Kendall had handled the nosy reporter and sent him on his way.
The doctor had determined the envenomation was mild and she’d needed an antivenin injection and a sterile dressing for the bite itself. After blood tests and multiple checks for her respiratory function and blood pressure, the doctor discharged her with instructions on how to care for the wound and what to watch for. Her hand was discolored and the bite looked swollen, but otherwise she’d said she felt fine, if shaken up.
Richard had found himself watching her anxiously all evening for signs of complications or side effects from the antivenin. Every time she’d caught his eye, she’d smiled at him reassuringly, but Maya appeared as though the experience had wiped her out.
As he helped her into the truck, Richard asked, “Maya, are you hungry?”
She’d sent them to eat supper while she was observed in the ER, telling them she was slightly nauseated and didn’t want anything. They’d gotten something from the hospital cafeteria and immediately returned.
“Maybe for a piece of toast. I’m so tired,” she said, her voice soft as she leaned against him. He tucked her to his side in the truck as Boone drove them home.
Richard caught the smile Kendall and Boone shared as he lifted her from the truck cab and carried her inside. He placed Maya on her feet and set about making her toast. He brought the plate to her, and she smiled in thanks and took it from him. She ate quickly and took a shower.
Boone and Kendall left her in Richard’s care and drove out to the ranch to bring back the truck Kendall had left there. Wondering what else he could do to help her feel better, Richard looked in the kitchen cabinets. He spotted tea bags and decided to make her some tea, which might help settle her stomach.
She emerged from the bedroom dressed in a pair of snug knit pants and a T-shirt. Her hair was wet, and she was blotting it with a towel. Richard thought she looked paler and brought her to the dining room table. After boiling the water, he put the cup of tea together and set it before her and joined her at the table.
“I wish this night was different,” she said as she dipped the tea bag in the steaming water.
“I know, honey. Me, too. How does your hand feel?”
The doctor had warned her she’d have some pain and swelling in her hand and possibly nausea and fatigue from the antivenin injection.