Her Cowboy (Book One Of The Brave Series)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter 25

M.

I was in that dream again. The one where I was by myself, alone and scared in the pitch-black darkness. This time I didn't feel the pain though but still, I felt a sticky warmth on my hand, and the smell of copper filled the air. Unlike last time I felt fine. I stood and called out.
"Hello. Is anybody there?" there was a long pause and I thought nobody would answer until I heard the sound of a man's pain filled groan.

"Maddie." The sound of a man's gurgled voice broke through the silence and I swung my head back. Amid all the darkness there was a single light and it shined on the one person I hoped that voice didn't belong to.

"Asher!" I felt my legs running but I couldn't seem to get any closer to him. Why couldn't I get there? I could see clearly from here. He was bleeding from a single hole in his body, but it bled profusely.

"Asher!" I cried but no matter how hard I pumped my legs I couldn't reach him. Then I froze as I saw a foot come out of the darkness and land right on Asher's bleeding chest. Asher screamed as the rest of the unknown person's body came into view.

"Dad? Get away from him!" I screamed, but he didn't respond. He simply looked at me and smiled, lifting the gun in his hand towards Asher.

"NO!"

"Madeline!" I jerked up at the sound of Anna's voice to find her leaning over me and pinning my arms to the bed.

"It's okay Madeline, you're safe."

"Asher!" I called out.

"Shush, sweetheart he's downstairs playing video games with the boys." I felt my chest slow down and my mind come back to me as I processed her words.

"D-downstairs?" she nodded.

"Yes, safe and sound."

"O-okay." I sighed as I laid back down, wincing at the pain in my side.

"Now that your awake. Want to tell me what that nightmare was about?" I looked at her and felt the tears in my eyes.

"I've had it before..." I started and spewed off every detail about the dream from last time and this time.

"Oh lord, that sounds scary. I guess you really like him to be so panicked even when you wake up, huh?" she nudged me while wiggling her eyebrows. I laughed softly and looked up at her.

"What about that Chloe girl?" I asked her. Anna stood putting her hands on her hips and frowned at me.

"Lady, did you not listen to a single word that boy was tellin' ya earlier?" I looked at her confused. Then it all hit me. My eyes widened.

"Oh my God, he told me everything! I must've forgotten because of the morphine!" she smiled and hopped on the bed next to me. That's when I felt the rumbling chest of the furry Mozart behind me. I looked back at him and felt the giant beasts tongue slap me in the face as he licked me.

"Hey buddy, you cuddling with me?"

"Yeah, he's been there since you passed out, hasn't moved an inch." Anna said as Mozart rested his head back on his paws.

"So, is everything he told me true?" I asked Anna. I didn't think he would lie, I just wanted to be sure. She nodded.

"Yes, everything was the truth. Chloe caused a lot of pain to my brother. It's something I'll never forgive her for and Stewart...he will get his own. Just watch out, he gives me the creeps now." I nodded.

"Okay."

Suddenly Anna jumped up making me flinch in surprise.

"Anyways, I brought up the DVD player and set up the old Xbox so that you don't die of boredom here. Want to watch a movie?" she asked.

"Sounds good." I said as she bounced to a stand.

"Alright let me get the snacks, you shower and get cozy, but be careful about your ribs." She said while running around the room to gather items. "Here's a shirt, underwear, and towel. Now be clean my love!" she said throwing the ball of clothing at me.

"Onwards to snacks and a long movie binge!" she cried out like a Viking warrior before running out of the room like a bat out of hell. Laughing to myself I forced myself up and tried to stand up. That was a bad idea because my legs caved in on me and I hit the deck.

"Maddie!" My head shot up at the sound of Asher's voice as he came running up to me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, helping me to stand carefully. The feel of his skin against mine made me feel overheated and I felt that warmth reach my face.

"I-I'm fine, just a little limp legged." I laughed shakily as I finally stood straight.

"What are you trying to do?" he asked.

"Anna wants a movie night and she told me to take a shower while she got the snacks ready." I responded quietly.

"Okay, I'll get you to the bathroom and start the shower for you, I'll wait outside the door until your done, so I can bring you back to the room. Okay?" I looked up at him and saw the worry in his eyes. Swallowing the lump in my throat as I thought about the dream I'd just had I smiled up at him.

"Thank you." I said as he helped me on my way to the shower.

I showered as quickly as I could and dressed. Only then did I realize what it was exactly that Anna had given me to wear. It was one of Asher's shirts and it fell just above my knees, the sleeves going to my elbows.

"Little demon." I muttered to myself as I caught myself double checking my appearance in the mirror. Shaking my head, I turned and opened the door slowly.

"You sing while you shower...your voice is pretty." I felt my blush as he turned his head to me and then he froze.

"I didn't choose this, Anna gave me a bunch of clothes and I didn't think to check them before I showered. I'm so-" but he stopped me from talking.

"Don't apologize, I like you in my clothes...though I had other ideas for why you would be wearing them." He winked at me and I hit him on the shoulder as he helped me limp my way to the room.

"Hey Mr. Pervert, aren't you a virgin?" I asked skeptically as he helped lower me onto his bed.

"Yes, so? Aren't you?" he replied.

"I've yet to have my first kiss dummy." I said, and his head shot up.

"Y-you're serious?" he asked. I nodded.

"Yup. Moving around a lot leaves little to no room for romance." His jaw dropped, and I laughed gesturing for him to lower his head. He obeyed and when he got close enough I kissed his cheek.

"Thank you. For everything. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before. But I won't make that same mistake again. I promise." He pulled back and looked me in the eyes.

The door suddenly slammed open and Asher jumped away from me like a scared cat.

"Damnit, I interrupted a moment." Anna said cursing herself.

"Oh well, too late now. Are you sticking around for the movies Big Bro?" she asked. He shook his head.

"No, I get to have her all to myself all week, so you can have her tonight."

"Sweet! Bye." She said, shoving him out the door and slamming it behind him. She looked at me.

"Tell me everything."

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EDITED VERSION

J. Vas