Pearl giggled, spinning around.
“Looks good,” he said, shrugging out of his undershirt. “Fresh out of the dryer.” He offered her the white cotton undershirt. “Pearl and I did laundry this morning.”
But Tandy was having a hell of a hard time concentrating again. Only this time it had nothing to do with the pain in her head. Instead it was all Click and the wall of muscle that was his amazing chest—within her reach. He was far too tempting a specimen. Being this close, wrapped in his scent, made it impossible to think.
Or it was the concussion?
Her gaze wandered, exploring every familiar inch.
His tattoo, the only mark on his beautiful body, circled the muscles of his upper arm. Her name. On his skin. She no longer had a right to him, yet the ownership was there—warming her through. The urge to trace her name burned her fingertips. But it vanished when she looked closer. There were more lines now, smaller, detailed. Spelling out...
Amelia.
Her lungs seemed to collapse in on themselves. The pain in her head paled as the agony in her chest blossomed, encompassing every inch of her until she couldn’t contain it. Her gaze met his as she collapsed against him, pressing his shirt to her mouth to muffle her sobs.
* * *
HE COULDN’T BREATHE. His chest was wet with her tears, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. He stared at the concrete bunker wall, trying to think of the right thing to do. With Pearl, Banshee and Scarlett watching. Holding her seemed right.
“Ta-dee?” Pearl’s voice was soft.
“I’ve got Tandy, Pearl,” he said, smiling down at his daughter.
Pearl smiled, patting his hip. “Da da.” She toddled back to Scarlett.
“That’s right, Daddy’s taking care of Tandy,” Scarlett said, gathering his daughter into her lap. “Let’s read a book. A doggie book?”
Pearl nodded.
Thankfulness washed over him. For Pearl and Tandy, Scarlett and Lynnie—even Banshee. Times like this made him realize how much he had to be thankful for. Tandy had been as good as her word. She and Scarlett had alternated shifts, showing up whenever they could. Making dinner, bathing Pearl or cleaning up so he could get some work done on the property. Scarlett always talked his ear off, but Tandy was only interested in conversing with Pearl. He gave her space, coming inside long enough to hear Tandy sing his daughter to sleep. Something about her lullabies eased the ache inside him. For a while. Bottom line, if he’d been alone with Pearl today, if Scarlett hadn’t been on hand to take care of his daughter, Tandy would be outside right now.
His heart thundered in his chest, overcome by what could have happened...
But hadn’t. She was here, in his arms, a little battered but here. His hands slid up her back to cradle her close. She shivered and burrowed closer, her breath fanning across his chest. If she hadn’t been bleeding, he’d have stayed this way. As it was, she needed tending to.
“Tandy,” he murmured. ?
??Your head.”
She pressed the shirt against his hand, then slid her arms around his waist.
“That works,” he whispered in her ear. He smoothed her hair aside, wincing at the gash in the back of her head. She’d need stitches all right, but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about that now. He placed his shirt over her wound and pressed.
She pressed her face into his chest, but he heard her soft cry.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, not wanting to hurt her. He was no doctor, but applying pressure to the wound was the only hope they had to slow or stop the bleeding for now. Still, he tried to be careful.
“It’s okay,” she murmured back. “Thank you.”
She didn’t need to thank him. Everything he’d done, he’d done for himself. She was essential to him. The world outside shook, flattening homes and threatening livelihoods. But Click wasn’t worried. He’d found his purpose. It was right here, with Pearl and Tandy. They were safe and protected, so he was happy. Life was truly that simple.
Tandy sniffed, her breath escaping on a long shudder. The gash on her head probably hurt like hell. He ran his hand up and down her back, offering her the only comfort he had. Her fingers pressed into his back, gripping him tightly, holding him in place. Not like he was going anywhere.
He’d known a tornado was coming since this morning. There was a stillness outside, as if all the air had been sucked up for use later. Scarlett had shown up after breakfast, giving Click the chance to check the storm cellar. As always, Lynnie was prepared. Tornado or no, he had no reason to worry.
Until he saw Banshee. The dog had barked and barked, grabbing his shirt and tugging him toward the fence line. He’d closed Scarlett and Pearl inside the storm cellar with Banshee, then run. Tandy was in trouble.
His arms tightened around her now, assuring him she was safe. He sucked in a deep breath and shifted, sitting on the bench and cradling her against his chest. He kept the shirt tucked tight behind her head, making sure her injury was covered. This way he could see her. And, dammit, he wanted to see her.