Leo (Romancing the Ponderosa Book 3)

Chapter 14

Sittin' in the chair next to Cherry's bed, I let myself doze off for a little, but I wake all the way up when I hear a strange noise. Lookin' around, I cain't help wonderin' if I was dreamin' things up. Dadburn sure I wasn't hearin' things, I walk across the room an' look out into the livin' room to see if it was Leo I heard. Shakin' my head, I look around the room again. I coulda swore I hear a soft, sleepy soundin' voice call my name.

" 'Oss?" I swivel around when I hear the voice again. My eyes widen in disbelief as reality smacks me square in the face. Rushin' over to the bedside, my knees hit the floor with a crack as I try an' believe what I'm seein'.

"Cherry." It comes out soundin' more like a sob than I intended it to as I stroke her little rosy cheek. "Cherry, lamb, you're awake!"

"Why 'Oss cry?" Her brows scrunch over glassy blue eyes. " 'Erry do sumtin' 'ad?"

"No, you ain't done nothin' bad." I push the sticky, damp curls off her forehead. "I'm just happy, is all. You've been sleepin' for a long time cuz you hit your little noggin' an' I'm just happy you woke up."

"Oh." Her eyes slowly close but then pop back open again. "Me 'ired, 'Oss. Me sweep."

"Yes, little lamb, go back to sleep now." As soon as she's back to sleep, I slowly stand up an' make my way to the door. Walkin' across the room, I squat down next to the sofa. Gently shakin' Leo's shoulder, I wake her up. "Leo, Leo wake up."

"Yes, I'm awake." She stirs, her voice a sleepy mumble. She rubs her eyes for a second before lookin' at me. "Hoss, what's the matter? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothin's wrong, it's somethin' wonderful!" Swingin' her legs off the sofa, I help her stand up. Puttin' my arms around her shoulders to steady her, we walk towards Cherry's room. "Cherry was awake."

"Awake!" Grabbin' the front of my shirt, she pulls me down to her eye level. "Hoss, so help me, if you're fooling around with me, I'll send you to your Maker right now!"

"Dadburn it, Leo! What kinda man do you think I am?" I look down into fiery, blue tear filled eyes. "She really was awake! I heard someone call my name but I didn't know it was her until I heard it a second time. I started cryin' an' she asked me if she'd done somethin' bad an' of course I told her no. I told her I was just happy to see her awake after bein' asleep for so long. An' then she went back to sleep."

"Oh, Hoss!" Lettin' go of my shirt, she practically runs to the bed. I watch from the foot of the bed as she strokes Cherry's forehead an' kisses her cheek. Turnin', she looks back at me, tears streamin' down her cheeks an' her shoulders shakin' with sobs. "Her fever's gone."

"I know." Walkin' over to her, I wrap my arm around her shoulders. Collapsin' against me, she sobs out all her fear and worry. I put my hand on the back of her head an' press her closer as I lay my cheek on top of her head. Tears roll off my cheeks and wet her hair. We stand like this, sobbin' in each others arms for 'bout five minutes before she turns an' looks back at Cherry.

"It's truly a miracle." She looks up at me, her eyes shinin' an' red rimmed. "I think she'll live!"

"I think so, too." Standin' side by side, we just look at each other for what feels like an hour but I know it's really only been a few minutes. I don't know why, but for some reason all of a sudden she stretches up towards me as I lean down towards her. My hand goes up her back an' into her hair as our lips meet. After a few moments she pulls away an' takin' a few steps to the right, puts a couple of feet between us. She smooths her hair with one hand an' then cups her cheeks in her hands, takin' a deep breath.

"I think I'll go back out to the sofa now since she's asleep." Walkin' towards the door, she turns back an' looks at me. "If Cherry wakes up again, come get me please."