Sheriff Daddy (Montana Daddies Book 10) by Laylah Roberts (top 10 novels to read .TXT) 📕

to do it all ourselves then we’d never need anyone. And that would be a sad way to live, don’t you think? Lonely.”

Lonely is exactly the way she’d describe herself.

“I came back to Wishingbone because of that kiss, and because I was feeling . . . lost, lonely, scared. The last time I remembered feeling safe was with you, with your arms around me, kissing me. I’ve had nightmares since I was sixteen, but lately, they’ve been every night. I’ve let myself get rundown. The job, it’s been wearing on me. I guess the more tired and stressed I became, the worse the nightmares got.”

“So you collapsing the other day, that was because you’re rundown and pushed yourself too hard?”

“Ahh, yeah. Running is the one way I know of escaping my thoughts. I tend to run until I’m too exhausted to think.”

“I don’t like that,” he rumbled. “You could hurt yourself. Do you even watch your surroundings?”

His voice was deep and commanding. Her insides quivered in response. Funny, she never thought she’d go for an alpha male. Her brothers were all domineering and bossy and she didn’t want someone like them.

Or so she’d thought.

“I usually run the same tracks, so there’s no issue of me getting lost or anything.”

“I’m not just talking about you getting lost, young lady.”

Young lady? Ooh, she was in trouble.

“I’m talking about the fact that if you’re not watching your surroundings then someone could sneak up on you.”

She brushed her hand at that. “I always run with pepper spray, I’ll be fine. I’m trained to fight.”

“And if you froze or panicked?”

She sucked in a breath.

“I don’t say that to upset you or disparage you. Just thinking worst-case scenario. If you don’t notice them then they could easily get the upper hand on you. What if you hurt yourself? Collapsed?”

“It’s only been lately where I’ve had heart issues that have made me dizzy and light-headed.”

“Heart issues? What heart issues? I thought you said there was nothing big wrong!” He stood with her in his arms. “That’s it, you’re going back to the hospital until these heart issues have been sorted. What the hell was Xavier thinking, discharging you? I’m going to kick his fucking ass.”

“Ed, no! I’m fine. Put me down.”

“No way, I’m not putting you down until I get answers. We’re going back to the hospital. I’m going to teach Xavier how to do his damn job properly.”

“Ed! I don’t have heart problems.”

“You just said you did.” He paused at the front door, glaring down at her.

“I don’t have any issues with my heart. I have palpitations and my heart tends to race. But it’s caused by stress and anxiety and likely too much caffeine. Although there’s no way I’m giving up my caffeine. I need it to live.”

He studied her. “That the truth?”

“Promise.”

“So if I rang Xavier and asked him? That’s what he’d tell me?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you believe me?”

He moved his gaze over her face. “I believe you. But I’m still worried. I don’t like the sound of heart palpitations. Especially not when you collapsed.”

“Believe me, they’re no fun to experience. They make me feel ill and nauseous.”

“I’m guessing running wouldn’t help that, would it?”

She shrugged as he turned and headed back down the hallway, but this time he moved into a large bedroom. It was filled with light due to the floor-to-ceiling windows that meant you could look out onto the lake. A huge bed faced the big windows. Wow, she thought it would be amazing to wake up to that view. Behind the bed was a false wall that housed the walk-in closet. He placed her next to the bed and then pulled down the plain, dark blue duvet cover, revealing black sheets. She’d never seen black sheets before. On each side of the big bed were bedside drawers but other than that the room was pretty bare.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re having a nap,” he stated. “I’ll get you something to sleep in. Sit.” He pointed at the bed.

She sighed, even as she sat. “Ed, I don’t need a nap.”

“You look exhausted. You’re just out of the hospital. You need a nap. And you haven’t been sleeping well for a while. You’ll need daily naps for a while until you build up your strength.”

“I will not!”

He shot a firm look at her. “Georgie-girl, when it comes to your health, I am not messing around. I’m still concerned about your heart, even though you’ve explained it. I’d still like to talk to Xavier about it.”

She bit her lip and nodded. “I’ll give him permission to speak to you.”

“Thank you.” He hugged her tight and her tense body relaxed as his arms surrounded her. She was engulfed by this big bear of a man. And while he was around, she knew nothing could get to her. Nothing physical. She wished he could hold the nightmares at bay.

He kissed the top of her head. “Right, nap time. I’ll get you one of my shirts to sleep in.”

“Ed, I’m not taking a nap. I haven’t napped since I was two.”

“Sounds like you’re overdue then.” He returned from the closet with a black T-shirt in his hand. “You need help getting into this?”

“No,” she squeaked. She wasn’t ready for that. Was she? She wasn’t sure. The thought of his hands touching her bare skin . . . okay, get your mind off that quick!

“You need the bathroom? You haven’t gone since we left the hospital, you must need to pee. You also haven’t drunk anything though. I’ll get you some water.” He was muttering as he took her hand and led her to the attached bathroom which was through the closet. The bathroom was surprisingly elegant. Marble tile, black fixtures, and crisp, white towels.

“Use the toilet, get changed then climb into bed. I’m going to get you a snack and some water. Need to write up some sort of schedule so I don’t forget to feed and water you.”

“I’m not a pet!” she snapped at