Snowed In(manxman)

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Sunlight woke Turner from his dreams of Will and he was pleased to find that reality was even better than his dream as he looked at the man’s peacefully dreaming face.

His heart beat quickened when he remembered the way Will had been the one to insist he sleep on the bed and hold him tight. It meant everything to Turner to know that Will wanted him close and trusted him. It gave Turner hope that he hadn’t ruined any chance he had with Will by being so angry, confused and stuck in the past.

Turner loved the feeling of Will’s lean body pressed against his. He could feel every nerve ending in his body awakening and coming alive with a want and a need for this man and everything he could give him.

But Will was sleeping peacefully, not the fidgeting, writhing, unsettled sleeps that he’d had while that fever had been wreaking havoc on his body. Just now he was quiet and content and Turner was going to let him stay that way. Will needed to recover from the sickness that had nearly taken his life.

Turner had things to do anyway. He didn’t have the choice of lying in bed all day, no matter how badly he might want to.

Rising from the bed, Turner stretched out his aching muscles. He had spent three full days remaining by Will’s bedside, only leaving when chores demanded. He’d taken to sleeping in that kitchen chair and his body was not happy with him about that.

Turner felt as if he needed some rest too and decided that he would do what must be done quickly and then find his way right back to that bed and Will’s side.

Grudgingly he donned his boots, coat, gloves and hat and led Beaux out into the snow. Never had Turner accomplished all his chores as quickly as he did that morning. He stepped back into the cabin to find Will awake and sitting up in the bed.

Will smiled brightly, “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Will,” Turner replied, returning the smile. He deposited the wood he held under his arm into the wood box, built up the fire a bit and then pulled off his coat and gloves.

Will threw his legs over the bed and tried to stand. Turner saw him wobble and knew he was going to fall. He dashed forward and caught Will just in time to save him a good amount of pain, “What are you doing?” Turner demanded.

“I gotta get to the outhouse,” Will mumbled. “Unless you wanna clean the sheets again.”

Turner chuckled and sat Will back down, “Let me help you then.”

He grabbed Will’s boots and coat from beside the door and walked back to the bed, “I can do it,” Will insisted when Turner dropped to one knee in front of him and grabbed his foot.

“I know you can.”

“But you won’t let me?”

“Shut up and let me take care of you,” Turner grumbled. He had always been the type to spoil the man he…. Loved. Yes loved. Turner loved Will and if any part of him hadn’t been sure it had become sure when he’d nearly watched the man die right in front of his eyes. That kind of thing had a way of forcing a man to make his mind up about his feelings real fast.

“Well okay then,” Will smiled down at him and Turner couldn’t stop himself. He rose up slightly and pressed the softest of kisses against Will’s unsuspecting lips before lowering himself once again and sliding Will’s feet into his boots.

When he finished putting Will’s boots on his feet, he looked up at the man and saw him staring down at him with wide eyes, “Are you okay?” Turner asked.

“You.. You kissed me…”

“Yes, I did,” Turner agreed. He smiled, “I’d like to do it again.”