"That's not what the doc seemed to think. She said nolifting."
"I'mfine."
Again, Dad resisted the urge to lower his gaze. He hadn’t done anything wrong. And he needed the manual labor to keep him busy. The more exhausted he was at night when he fell into bed, the less he felt the ever-present itch togamble.
Not that he would admitit.
Nate's stare didn't waver. Finally, he said, "You're on light duty until furthernotice."
"No."
Dan couldn't help instinctively bracing for a blow after his near-instant refusal. He clamped his back teeth together when Nate's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. Had the other mannoticed?
"It's not arequest."
Dan ground his teeth. "So what'm I supposed to do? Sit around and knit a baby blanket forKelsey?"
Nate didn't crack a smile, but Dan knew his friend… former friend… well enough to know he was gloating about something. It was the light in hiseye.
"You're going to be giving riding lessons. To the good doc and herkids."
"No."
Nate didn't bother to argue about it. He turned toward the house, where his truck was parked. He called over his shoulder, "You don't like it, you can alwaysleave."
Dan was left steaming in thesun.
Riding lessons? He was noteacher.
Seeing the doc again would cause more pain thanpleasure.
He likedher.
Was Nate trying to punish him? Laughing all theway?
Nate had always known when he was sweet on agal.
Fine. Dan would do it. He wouldn't quit. Wouldn't give his ex-friend thesatisfaction.
He'd do the riding lessons. But he'd keep his distance from the prettydoc.
