To Save His Mate(8)

“You okay?” Ethan asked. Startled, Lacy nearly toppled off the trunk but found herself steadied by a pair of large, warm hands. “Whoa.”

“Thank you, I’m fine.”

The look he gave her said loud and clear he wasn’t buying it. In fact, her head was a little fuzzy.

Damn blood sugar!

Lacy refused to show weakness and stood to head over to the refreshment table. Some juice was in order along with anything sweet they may have on hand.

“I’ll be right back,” she mumbled as she focused on making her shaky legs continue their sluggish trek. Even while speaking to Ethan about food, she’d been so preoccupied with his handsome face, and that amazing body, not to mention those eyes… And she was doing it again!

Wow, walking sucks! she thought as she struggled to push forward.

She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten to eat anything for breakfast.

It had taken most of the morning to find a private moment to call in and report to her superior, and once she’d managed that, it had been time to leave.

Being one of the first models to have pictures done didn’t help either. It meant she was in for hair and makeup first thing.

Needless to say, she regretted having neglected her breakfast. She could feel her mind descending into a thick, cottony haze. Her body felt sluggish, her legs refused to cooperate and she could just make out the green grass as it drew closer and closer.

* * * *

Ethan managed to grab Lacy before she fell, pulling her body against his own. He tilted back her head and took in her pale complexion, glassy eyes and damp brow. Not a good combination and he was no doctor.

“Lacy, talk to me, sweetheart. What’s wrong?” The blank look she gave him was troubling to say the least.

“S-sugar l-l-low,” she stammered.

“Okay, you hold on, and we’ll get something,” he promised.

A quick scan of the area showed him a small table of food not far away. Obviously, Lacy had been aware of her low blood sugar and had been heading there to get something. Unwilling to leave her behind, he scooped her up and carried her over.

Allie, who was standing at the table, turned as they neared with a sassy, “Well, how do I go about getting a ride next?”

“Her sugar dropped,” he explained, and apparently, that’s all Allie needed to hear.

She quickly unzipped the pouch around her waist and dug out a small bottle. “All right honey, put this under your tongue while I get you some juice,” she instructed.

“What is that?” Ethan inquired.

“It’s a glucose tablet. It’ll help raise her sugar quickly. I keep them on me because, let’s face it, models don’t eat well.” She shrugged and made her way over to the refreshment table.

Lacy shifted in his arms a few moments later, and Ethan cautiously eased her to her feet yet maintained his hold. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I need that chocolate shake we talked about earlier.”

Her smile, though small, was a relief. “You got it. Right after you drink the juice Allie went after.”

“Okay.” Lacy quickly downed the glass then turned her lovely violet eyes up to him again. “Thank you, Ethan.”

“Not a problem. I’m just glad you’re all right.”

About twenty minutes and another glass of juice later, and they were on their way to the diner, Lacy having improved considerably.

“So, are you a diabetic?” Ethan figured it would be handy information to have, should this happen again.

“No, my sugar just drops sometimes. It’s the price I pay for having a high metabolism, I guess.” She smiled before turning back to gaze out the window. “It’s really nice here. I like that there’s not any massive buildings to block out the sunshine.”

“Yeah, the area is really beautiful. There’s plenty of wildlife, too. You don’t get much of that in the city.”

“No, you don’t. That’s exactly why I’m looking to relocate. I feel like I’m smothering in the city. There’s so much crime there, and it all just feels too closed in. I guess it was fun when I was younger, but now I’ve been feeling the need to settle down in a quieter place.” Lacy sighed. “You’ve got a wonderful little town here, Ethan. I hope you know that. I haven’t met a single person who didn’t have a smile and a nod to offer.”

“We like the simplicity. Hastings is a small town by choice, not because nobody knows we’re here. My family owns most of this side of the mountains and all of the land surrounding the town.”

“So the shoot is happening…?

“On my property,” Ethan admitted. “I wanted it to be someplace where I knew the area well in case someone wandered off.”