"Come on, man," he said, his voice tight. "Don't sideline me. I need to keep busy."
Jake's eyes narrowed as he studied Daniel's face. "Pushing yourself won't make the situation better if you've got an injury that needs medical attention."
"I'll be fine." It was a lie, but he didn't want to admit how much a little pain—okay, a lot of pain—had brought the cravings back with such intensity that he feared if he drove into town, he'd head straightto a bar. Or maybe the liquor store since it wasn't even noon yet. He sidestepped Jake and reached for Rebel's saddle horn.
"Daniel Evan Hamilton, don't you dare get on that horse yet." Riley pulled a pink and gray flannel shirt from her saddle bag. "That arm needs to be kept immobile for at least a week, maybe longer."
"Don't worry, I won't use it." It hurt too bad to even think about moving it.
"I know you won't, because I'm going to make you a sling." Without giving him an opportunity to argue, she stepped close and used her shirt to create a sling by tying the ends of the sleeves behind his neck. Then she tied the bottom front corners of the shirt behind his elbow.
It looked funny, but it cradled his arm close enough that he didn't need to use the muscles in his shoulder to keep it immobile. He relaxed his arm. The throbbing in his shoulder settled to a dull ache. It was going to be a long day, but no matter what it took, he'd keep working.
"You look good in pink." She grinned and patted his chest. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'll be fine." Turning away from her, he swung himself up into the saddle. Without the use of his left arm for leverage and momentum, he almost didn't make it. He caught himself, however, and maneuvered into the saddle, but not before jarring his shoulder. He bit his lip to keep from grimacing and swallowed the groan that wanted out. "We'd better hurry and catch up to the herd before Brody and Crew drive them the wrong direction."
After nudging Rebel in the flanks, he sent up a prayer that this injury wouldn't cause greater temptation than he could bear. Because even though they weren't together, the fear of falling off the wagon and disappointing Riley was so much worse than the thought of letting down his parents or Jake.
The kitchen felt eerilyquiet the next morning when Riley pushed through the swinging door. Only Emily sat at the counter with a book and a glass of juice.
"Where is everyone?" Riley asked.
"Jake just walked out the back door, Lottie and Zane are gone, of course, and Adam is still sleeping." She motioned to the baby monitor on the counter.
Riley grabbed a plate and served herself some of the breakfast casserole on the stove. "Has Daniel come and gone already?"
"No, I haven't seen him yet this morning."
Riley's actions slowed as her stomach tightened. He was always here around six. She looked at the clock on the stove. It was six-thirty now.
Had his shoulder kept him up last night?
She'd tried to convince him to let her take him to the hospital when they finally arrived back at the ranch house late yesterday afternoon, but he'd refused. He insisted he just needed a hot shower, some ibuprofen, and a good night's sleep. He'd looked miserable at dinner though, despite the pain meds.
And if he tore his rotator cuff, a good night's sleep would be impossible.
"I'd better go check on him." She shoved a bite of breakfast casserole in her mouth and chewed. "I may have to get forceful about taking him to the hospital." Then she frowned. "I hate to leave Jake short-handed, especially with Zane gone."
Emily waved a hand. "There's always plenty of work to do, but he was commenting this morning that with all the herds out at the summer grazing pastures the hands would have more time to work on the rec center. Until you all start cutting hay next week, that is. I'm sure they will manage without you and Daniel."
Between bites, Riley put a hearty serving of the breakfast casserole in a container for Daniel, and as soon as she'd finished eating, she headed down the lane. She couldn't ignore the niggling fear in the back of her mind that Daniel might have sought out some alcohol last night to help manage his pain.
She sent up a little prayer that wasn't the case.
When she reached the smaller cottage-style house, she knocked then walked in without waiting for a response, like she'd always done. She'd expected to find Daniel in bed, but he sat in his dad's recliner.
His head popped up, and he rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?" He flipped the lever that dropped his legs and propped him upright with a jerk. His face scrunched into a wince.
He still wore last night's shirt, but it was unbuttoned as though he'd attempted to take it off but decided it required too much effort. At least he wore the sling she'd found at home and wasn't trying to tough it out.
"Let me guess, you didn't sleep well, because your shoulder hurt?"
He rubbed the back of his neck while rotating it from side to side. "Yeah, I couldn't find a comfortable position."
"That's what I was afraid of.” She grimaced. “I’m afraid you tore your rotator cuff.” She shoved the food storage container into his hands. "Here, eat your breakfast. Then we're going to the hospital."
"I'll be fine. I just need to rest it for a few days."
