They continued to stare at each other in that stubborn male fashion. It was really quite ridiculous. Why did Jackson have to be so stubborn?
Serena stepped forward. “Jackson.” When he didn’t look at her, she tried again. “Jackson, let him look at you. I’d feel much better if he did.”
At last, Jackson turned to her. “I told you not to worry.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she did worry about him, but she stopped herself just in time. What in the world had gotten into her? She barely even knew this man. He might be amazingly handsome and she might be able to listen to his rich, deep voice for hours on end, but she had sworn off men. So she would be fine admiring Mr. Jackson Bennett via her television because that was as close as she planned to get to him once they could get away from this cabin.
Serena could feel both men staring at her. Heat swirled in her chest, but she refused to let that stop her from being honest—or at least partially honest. “I’d feel a lot better if someone who knew something about medicine would have a look at you. That was a bad accident. You have a lot of bruising. And your ankle doesn’t look good.”
Jackson sighed. “All right. If it’s really that important to you.”
“It is.”
Jackson limped toward the couch.
“I’ll be right back,” the emergency worker said. “I have medical supplies on my snowmobile.”
Serena followed Jackson. He sat on the couch and put his injured leg up on the coffee table. She knelt down on the floor and set Gizmo next to her. Finally, the pup had settled down. She didn’t know what had gotten into him. He was usually friendlier. After all, he’d taken to Jackson.
She reached for the makeshift bandage.
“What are you doing?” Jackson asked.
“Taking off the bandage so he can have a look at you.”
“I can do it.”
She’d already started undoing the knot that she’d made to hold everything in place. “Just relax.” She continued to struggle with the bandage. “I almost have it.”
“It might be easier if you use scissors.”
She didn’t respond. The truth was that he was right, but when she was around him, her thoughts became jumbled. And when she touched him, her heart raced. What was it about this man that had her reacting like she was once again a schoolgirl with a crush on Jeremy Jones, the school’s up-and-coming rock band singer?
She’d never felt this rush of emotions when she had been with Shawn. Sure, she’d enjoyed their time together, but she hadn’t felt like it was anything special. Maybe she should have realized it was a sign that things weren’t right. But she’d never been in love before, so she didn’t know how it should feel. And now she never would know, because she was avoiding men—unless they unexpectedly crashed into her life.
Finally, the knot gave way. She made quick work of undoing the bandage. As much as she’d wished his ankle had healed quickly, it remained a kaleidoscope of colors from purplish black to red and some pink. What a mess.
Just then the door opened and Gizmo once more went into guard dog mode. Serena followed him to the doorway, where he had the emergency worker pinned to the door. Serena rushed over to pick up Gizmo.
The man had his hands full of medical supplies. If she were to go by looks, it appeared this man knew what he was doing. And that would be good for all of them because she was so far removed from a nurse that it wasn’t even funny.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “He’s not normally like this.” When Gizmo started barking again, she said firmly, “Gizmo, stop.” The dog didn’t even bother to look at her as he kept a close eye on the stranger. “I’ll just go put him in the bedroom.”
Fifteen minutes later, Jackson had been all checked out. The emergency worker said that he didn’t believe Jackson’s injuries were life-threatening, but he was certainly banged up. If Jackson wanted to be evacuated, he’d call in a chopper. Jackson adamantly declined, saying that with the avalanche there were others in more need than him. And Serena promised to keep a close eye on him.
With Jackson in a proper bandage, the emergency worker packed up his stuff and walked away. Just as he opened the door, the light bulbs brightened, signaling that the electricity had been restored.
“Thank goodness,” Serena said. “Things are starting to look up.”
“I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow.” And with that the man left.
Serena closed the door. “Sounds like I better let Gizmo out before he scratches the door. I don’t know what’s up with him.”
“He’s just protective of you.”
“Then how do you explain him taking to you?”
“Oh, that’s easy, I bribed him.” An easy smile pulled at Jackson’s lips.