Cowboy's Little Darling - Besotted Hero

Chapter 4

"Oh no, are you okay?" I asked my aunt as I walked into the small room inside the hospital where she was waiting to be discharged by the doctor. Her leg was in a cast and placed on a pillow. It looked so painful, that I winced with the image.

Even if I didn't know my auntie and just discovered about her with my mother's death, and it was also the very first time I was meeting her, she was practically the only family I had. Not knowing her before didn't make me love her less. The first time I heard her voice, she sounded so happy about me moving in with her, it was like she had been my family forever. I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern in my heart for the accident she had suffered. "I'm so sorry. Are you in much pain?" I asked as I approached her, tears welling up in my eyes, my hands in fists pressed to my lips. I could feel Cole's presence next to me, his hand resting on my shoulder. He had accompanied me to the hospital, talking quietly about the fact my auntie would be like new in no time, that he would take care of everything, and that I wouldn't be alone.

But I couldn't ask this man, a stranger, to help me any more than he already had. I felt like I was making myself a burden. He hadn't planned on coming to the hospital or bringing me here and it felt like I was taking advantage of his kindness!

"Oh dear," my aunt said sweetly. "I'm so sorry we're meeting like this. It was such a stupid accident, you wouldn't believe it! My old bones just aren't what they used to be. Why don't you come over here and give me a hug, dear?" She was an adorable lady with nice salty and piper hair. She looked lovely and small and we quite had the same eyes and smile. It was like meeting a mother, so darling was her expression.

I didn't need another invitation, so I immediately went over to her and hugged her lovingly, feeling immediately enveloped in her fragile and loving arms. She looked so small but I could feel her strength even in that situation."Now, now, let's not cry. I can't cry and ruin my makeup in front of this gentleman of yours who helped you get here. Why don't you introduce him to me?" She said with a warm voice and curious eyes turned to Cole.

Cole had been waiting patiently beside the bed next to us and, with her last words, he immediately stood beside me, his height and build seeming to engulf the entire room. He was a man who showed with little effort that he was prepared and capable of handling any situation, and the fact that he acted so gently with my aunt, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips to introduce himself, made my lips form a smile of admiration at his kindness.

"Cole Malone at your service, madam. I would have preferred to have met you without this accident, but I am still very pleased to be here and am happy to be of assistance."

"Oh, my," my aunt said breathlessly with her hand still held on his, "he really is a true gentleman. We don't have many fine men like you no more, sir, which I find very unfortunate. I was so happy to hear that my dear niece was accompanied, and now I see that you are really one of the good ones. But we don't want to give you any more trouble, right, Hailey, darling?" She said looking pointedly at me. "Please, if you need to go, Hailey and I can certainly manage on our own." I felt surprised by my aunt's words and just nodded, agreeing with her affirmation. It was something I wished I had said, but deep down I didn't want him to leave. Cole was the kind of man who inspired security and comfort, something I longed for and didn't want to lose for any reason.

But I couldn't just expect a stranger to stay with us. Mom had said before... Don't trust any man... Don't interact with them... Don't look at them... I had done everything she told me no to! What she would think of me if she could see me now?

I was wringing my hands, feeling nervous and anxious as I considered that Cole would walk away at any moment and leave me alone. He would abandon me. Which was ridiculous! I don't even know him...