"Let me check."
"Dawson."She met my gaze, her jaw set."I've probably fallen off more horses in the last year than you've trained in your lifetime.I know what ribs feel like and this isn't it."
I exhaled through my nose and rocked back on my heels."Well, you're still hurt."
"I'm sore.There's a difference."
"Not from where I'm standing."
She glared at me, then shifted her weight and winced.The movement was small, but I caught it.
"Training's done for the day."
"Excuse me?"Her dark eyes widened and something in my chest twisted.
"You heard me."I stood and offered my hand."You're done."
"I've got another thirty minutes scheduled."
"Not anymore."It wasn’t because I didn’t think she could handle herself.It was because the sight of her hitting the dirt had done something to me.I didn’t know what to call it, but I damn sure didn’t want to have to worry about her doing it again.
Lilah stared at my hand like it was a trap.Then she pushed herself to her feet without taking it, moving slower than she had all week.Her right arm stayed tucked close to her side."I didn't ask for your permission to stop."
"And I didn't ask for your opinion on whether you're hurt."I picked up her hat and held it out."But since we're doing this my way, training's over."
She snatched the hat from my hand, whacked it against her leg to shake off the dirt, and shoved it back on her head."You're being ridiculous."
"Maybe.But you're limping."
"I'm not—" She took a step and her face tightened."Damn it."
I grabbed Rio's reins and led him toward the gate.Lilah followed a few paces behind, her stride uneven but still stubborn.
At the cross-ties, I handed her the reins."Brush him down.I'll check his legs."
"I can do both."
"I know you can.But you're going to let me help anyway."
Her mouth opened, then closed.For a second, I thought she might argue.Then she grabbed the brush and started working Rio's coat with sharp, efficient strokes.
I ran my hands down the gelding's front legs, checking for heat or swelling.Everything felt solid.No damage.Just a stumble that could've been worse.
Behind me, Lilah's breathing came heavier than it should have.
"You need ice."
"I need to finish my session."
"What you need," I said, straightening, "is to stop pretending you're invincible."
She stopped brushing and turned."What I need is for you to stop treating me like I don't know what I'm doing."
"I'm not?—"
"Yes, you are."Her eyes flashed."I've been riding since before I could walk.I've broken bones, torn ligaments, and gotten back on horses that threw me hard enough to see stars.I don't need you running over to check on me every time I hit the ground."
"Then maybe don't hit the ground,” I mumbled.
