In a cloud of dust, I land so hard it knocks the wind from my chest, and I’m left gasping under a horse who’s fighting like hell to stand back up.
I’m okay,I tell myself silently, assessing whether there’s any pain.
In a pleasant surprise, there’s not. Until the gelding finally gets his footing, directly on my boot, sending fireworks radiating under my skin and a scream clawing up my throat.
Within seconds, Denver’s hovering over me, face blanched. “Blair, holy shit. Are you okay?”
“Um, I think my ankle might be broken.”
Also, I’m most definitely in shock, because I’m way too chill right now.
“Can you move it?”
With gritted teeth, I try to roll my ankle gingerly. “N-no.”
“Let’s get you to the hospital,” he says, already scooping an arm under my armpits to pick me up. “Prepare to beveryimpressed by your man’s strength again.”
There’s no argument from me this time—looping my arms around his neck and letting him hoist me into the air.
“You good?” he asks, adjusting his grip on me before attempting to take a step.
“Been better.” I hold up an unconvincing thumbs-up. “But I’ll live.”
As we awkwardly stumble down the driveway, each jostling movement has me clenching my jaw to keep from crying out in agony. Holding my breath, I press my forehead against the crook of his neck, and a loud sigh of relief escapes my lungs at the sight of his pickup.
Setting me gently in the passenger seat with a kiss on the forehead, he says, “I’m gonna go grab my keys and wallet, and tell somebody to put the horses away. Stay here.”
I raise my eyebrow and point at my leg. “I can’t exactly run away.”
“Knowing you, you’d hop away on one foot to go get in your car and drive yourself to the hospital simply to avoid accepting my help.”
I scoff. “Calling me out like that is rude. IpromiseI’ll wait here for you.”
“Good.” He reaches to buckle me in, despite the look of absolute horror I’m giving him. “Let me love you, Blair.”
How can I argue with that request?
He jogs over to the bunkhouse, stepping back outside less than a minute later to slide onto the truck bench seat with a natural smile.
“Why do you look like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re enjoying yourself way too much for somebody who’s taking their girlfriend to the—” I catch myself, but not fast enough.
“Girlfriend?” He turns in his seat, tucking his tongue to his cheek while he beams at me. “Do I need to be worried that you might’ve hit your head?”
“It accidentally slipped out. Shush.” I shift awkwardly inmy seat, pretending to be stabilizing my throbbing limb. “Please just drive.”
“Well now, hold on a second.” His hands leave the steering wheel, and I toss my head back against the seat with a groan. “If it accidentally slipped out, that tells me you’ve thought about it. So much for taking it day by day, eh?”
“Says the guy who’s mentioned marrying mehow many timessince we started hanging out?”
He winks,finallydeciding to start driving. “The difference is I’ve been straight up with you about what I want since theambulance ride months ago. I cut things off with Peytonbecause you showed up. From day one I was fully committed to winning you over, until you threw me for a real loop when youwore an engagement ring, and I backed off for a bit.”
I bite back a laugh knowing the fake-as-hell ring I paid ten dollars for tricked him into thinking I was taken.
“Well, it’s a good thing you did. Mark might be a plastic surgeon, but he’s not afraid to fuck up his money-making, insured hands to defend my honor.”
