It felt like such a relief when he was out the door.
Now it was just Dawson and me, and the ragtag rescue crew.
His hand held me steady, comforting me.
Quietly I told him, “You don’t need to stay either. I’m sure this isn’t how you planned to spend your Friday night.”
But he looked at me, steady and serious, and rumbled, “I feel so bad that I talked you into getting on the bull. There’s no way I can leave your side until I know you’re okay.”
“You didn’t buck me off the thing.”
“I know. Your fool ass did. Why’d you turn the thing to maximum speed, anyway? Were you trying to impress the crowd?No onerides it at level ten.”
“I didn’t notice any speed settings.”
“Didn’t you read the signs? It’s right there on the wall. Level one, which is where you should have been, is for weekend cowgirls like yourself. Level ten is for rodeo professionals to train.”
I shifted my eyes to the wall behind the bull. Sure enough, there were clear instructions and warning signs.
The man was right. I’d ridden the thing at rodeo level.
“Do I get an award for riding it at level ten?”
He laughed, seeming relieved that I could still be sassy in a situation like this.
“I’ll give you an award, hon. Just wait for me to draw one up.”
Chapter 6
Dawson
I insisted on riding in the backwoods ambulance with her.
Gabe and his partner got her strapped to a backboard and hooked to a gurney, then got her situation in the back of the cargo van with me.
The poor thing was a claustrophobic sort, and she started gasping for air as soon as they strapped her down.
Gabe barked out, “Just hold still. We’ve got to do this in case you have a chip in your spine.”
That only served to freak Amy out even more. Gabe had always sucked at his bedside manner.
The partner, a man I didn’t know, asked her a bunch of questions while she kept a death grip on my hand.
“How old are you, Amy?”
“Twenty-nine.”
“And what’s your last name?”
“Allen.”
“Do you know what day it is?”
“You’re being silly. It’s Friday.”
“Just making sure you’re not in shock.”
She wasn’t in shock, though. She was just terrified. Amy answered all their questions while she hyperventilated and stared into my eyes.
