At the weight in her tone, he turned back. Did she not want his help? He could understand that, but moving the animals with only her and White Horse would be more of a challenge. She must really distrust him now.
She seemed to be struggling to meet his gaze. He should make it easier for her and step back without forcing her to request it.
But she spoke again before he could offer. “I was hoping to leave Curly and Frisco here with the two of you.” Sheglanced between him and White Horse again. “Is it too much to ask you to care for them both? I’ll come over each day and help clean and salve the wounds. But I think they’re safer here than at the ranch.”
His mind struggled to make sense of her first words, but the more she spoke, the harder his heart began to pump. She trusted him to keep both animals safe without her here? Indefinitely?
He studied her face to see if she really meant the words. Her look was earnest. “I know it’s a lot to ask—”
“We will.” He darted a look back at White Horse. “I mean...”
White Horse nodded. “I help.”
Tanner turned back to Lorelei, and the relief easing her features pulled some of the weight from his chest.
“Thank you.” She glanced toward the pair of injured animals. “How are they?” Her voice sounded hesitant. Maybe she dreaded the possibility of hearing more bad news about those she loved.
At least he didn’t have to add to her worries on that score. “No sign of festering with either one. The mule isn’t fond of us poking in his wound, but we’ve managed to follow your instructions.”
A soft smile curved her mouth. “And Curly?” She looked back at Tanner, and the intensity of her beauty washed over him anew. Even in this fragile state, she possessed a strength that made his chest ache.
He swallowed to bring moisture back into his mouth. “You’ve trained him well. He stands like a gentleman.”
Her eyes warmed, and the way she looked at him madeevery part of him long to pull her into his arms. To kiss her the way he had three days ago.
Except this time he would be gentle. He would give only, not take. He would lend her his strength and savor the moment.
He forced himself to look away. There wouldn’t be another kiss. Lorelei Collins deserved a man far better than him.
As Lorelei turned and started toward the animals, he could feel the weight of disappointment she left in her wake. Or maybe that was his own disappointment.
White Horse followed her, but Tanner stayed where he was, putting distance between them.
The hum of their voices drifted across the courtyard as they looked at Curly’s gash first. Lorelei motioned and must have asked a question, for White Horse answered with a shake of his head and a few words.
They moved on to the mule, and White Horse held the animal by the rope halter they kept on him as Lorelei stroked its neck and inspected the wound.
The woundhe’dcaused.
He could turn away, escape back to the trade room and pretend he’d not inflicted this pain. He could even pretend Lorelei wasn’t here, was out of his reach. He could save himself the pain of watching her gentle touch heal where he had caused damage.
But he deserved every twist of his gut, every knife blade in his chest.
Lorelei spoke a few more words to White Horse, and he again shook his head. If only Tanner had moved closer sohe could hear. But this extra bit of torture in not knowing what they said seemed appropriate.
Lorelei patted the mule a final time, then turned and began walking toward Tanner.
His breathing hitched, and his mind barely registered the fact that White Horse had released the mule and was striding toward the trade room.
His gaze roamed over Lorelei’s face, searching for a hint of what she would say when she reached him. Was she angry? After examining those wounds he’d caused, she should be seething.
Her expression carried no sign of frustration, though he couldn’t decipher exactly what was there. Determination, maybe?
As she stopped in front of him, White Horse disappeared into the trade room, eliminating the last minor distraction so he could focus fully on Lorelei. She must be coming to give final instructions for the animals.
“I’d planned to tend their injuries, but White Horse said the two of you would do it this evening?” She spoke the words as a question, so he nodded.
“We’ll take care of them. Should anything be done differently?”
