Save each other // Joel Miller

Cowboy

Sophie knew at some point she would run into Joel sooner or later but she wasn't really expecting to see him this soon. She blushed and averted her eyes under his intense and shocked gaze. She peeked up through her lashes at him right as he cleared his throat.

"Hey, uhh.. I didn't expect to.. see you." He seemed to be stumbling over his words and it made Sophie giggle under her breath. Barb let her laughter rumble loudly out of her chest.

"Oh sweetie! You seem to be thick tongued my boy!" Barb exclaimed. "My dear girl has become my apprentice and I'm just showing her around. I didn't have any other patients besides you coming in so I thought it might be a good time to do so, considering her shyness." She finished her sentence with a reassuring pat on Sophie's back. Sophie rubbed the back of her neck and smiled up at Barb.

"Apprentice?" It's all Joel could get out. He couldn't seem to tear his stare from her face. She was so small next to anyone she stood next to, even frail old Barb. Barb was a lot older than most of Jackson's townsfolk's. She's one lucky lady, having many protective hands to help her to safety through the infection. She is also one of the founders of Jackson.

Sophie turned a flush red all over her freckled face. She wasn't sure why but telling Joel she was going to stay seemed daunting. Like letting him know would make this too real. And without a skipped beat, Barb took the burden off her shoulders.

"Of course! She knows almost as much as I do! I give myself all the credit. She must have known staying would mean working with me!" Barb smiled widely and shook with laughter. Obviously so please with her own words that she didn't catch the looks on the couple in the rooms faces.

Barb wiped a fake tear from her eye and took a beep breath to compose herself before making her way over to Joel, slipping her arm into the crook of his elbow.

"Come now sweets, show this old gal if you can take me on a stroll around the room without that cane. You darling, take a seat and come help if he stumbles." She gestured Sophie to sit in one of the blue cushioned waiting chairs. Before either of them objected, she shooed them with her hand. Sophie quickly shuffled over to the chair and sat, as she was told.

Sophie watched as Joel struggled to put too much pressure on his leg, but was able to slowly limp with Barb on his arm. She watched his movements carefully to assess his strength and movement ability and for a split second forgot all about the floating feeling growing in the pit of her stomach.

Barb and Joel took their time going around the room before Barb led him to sit in the chair next to Sophie.

"Alrighty! Making nice and healthy strides already on that leg. Now, I want you to text his flexibility and reflexes" Barb pointed at Joel's outstretched leg and looked to Sophie. Sophie froze for a second before swallowing hard.

"You want... me to?" Sophie stuttered out. She didn't dare turn towards Joel, who she could feel was burning a hole in the side of her head with his eyes. She had just told Barb she would work with her not even 3 hours prior, and now she was doing almost full medical evals?

"Of course girly!" Barb chirped out, "I know you have the skill to do it and I'm not getting any younger. These jobs are yours now."

Sophie hung her head low for a split second before slinging herself out of her chair, almost a little too quickly. 'I am willing and capable.' Sophie changed herself on in her head and turned towards Joel.

Joel was looking at her with an amused and amazed expression. Sophie could deduct one thing from this reaction. He was going to tease her relentlessly. But that was not going to stop her. She took a step right in front of Joel before taking a knee.