“I may hold you to that,” Jameson said. “I’ll call Matthew and tell them to stay home. It’s not like we’ve never pulled an all-nighter in our line of work.”
“Ranching? Or the other thing you do? Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. You can ask Matthew and Mac. I told them they don’t act like a normal ranch. Why do you think I wanted to work there?”
“Don’t go around snooping. I kinda like your ass. I’d hate to see you booted out,” Jameson said. “I’m grabbing a cup of coffee.” Jameson left the room as Riley moaned in her sleep, shifting the pillow away from her leg.
Garrett rose and gently replaced it, touching her soft skin. An electric current ran through him as he put her leg on the pillow, surprising him. He gazed at Riley’s face, noticing the worry lines on her forehead. Wanting tosmooth them away, he leaned forward, trying to guess her age. She acted older than she appeared, but he imagined her around twenty-six.
What problems did a twenty-something have to make her stressed even in sleep? They saved Tara, and she lay in a hospital bed with two guards. From what Tara told him, her father seemed like her biggest obstacle. Why didn’t he go to the police and press charges against Riley for kidnapping?
His gut churned as he replayed Tara’s conversation in his head. She mentioned her dad found them wherever they went. How did he find them in Embers when they obviously didn’t know anyone? Questions and uncertainty filled him. Garrett didn’t need drama or a woman with money problems. He dealt with too many of them and didn’t plan on letting these two stay any longer than necessary.
Garrett sat back and watched over Riley. He rubbed his chest as he pondered if he planned to let them go, why did he feel protective of the woman lying in the hospital bed?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Riley glanced down at the granny dress Garrett picked out for her. It didn’t help when the aide pushed her wheelchair to the room where they planned on casting her arm. Tara walked beside her, and when she saw the multiple-colored cast options, she squealed with delight.
“Oh, Riley. You can choose your favorite color, purple. Before you start acting practically, you have to wear it for six to eight weeks. You might try getting something you’ll enjoy,” Tara said excitedly.
“White. It goes with everything,” Riley told the aide.
“Oh, come on. White will get dirty after a few days. What about blue or tie dye?” Tara asked, staring at her hopefully.
“Fine,” she gave in. “Why don’t you pick out a color?
“How about purple for your arm?” Tara asked.
“It sounds perfect,” she said unenthusiastically. Feeling exhausted, she didn’t give two cents about the cast as she added up the hospital bills. She doubted Kenny planned to deduct it from the ten grand she gave him. Her headthrobbed as she realized she probably lost her job after not reporting over the last few days. Obviously, she didn’t consider returning to the biker bar, but she needed an income. On top of caring for her sister, she’d have hospital bills. Every time they offered her medication, she calculated in her head how long she’d have to work to pay for one tablet.
They placed her on the table while they wrapped her arm. She gritted her teeth, regretting saying no to the medication. Luckily, Garrett left to prepare the cabin for their arrival. If they finished before he returned, Julio and Rebecca planned to take them to the ranch.
When they finished, she used the rest of her energy to sit in the wheelchair. Her leg throbbed, and her arm felt heavy. Her fingers appeared like little sausages.
Tara babbled beside her. “Garrett said he has a computer I can borrow to catch up on classes. I’ll need you to email the teachers to excuse my absence. Hopefully, they’ll let me turn in my late work.”
“I’m sure they will,” Riley said, disinterested. “Where’s the envelope I gave you?”
“I have it in my bag. Did you know they gave Garrett the cabin to use while he’s working there? It means no rent, Riley. We can save a ton of money. Oh, please say we can splurge and get the pizza,” Tara begged as they returned to her room.
“Can I at least get out of this place first? Every minute I lie there, it costs me a fortune,” she snapped at Tara.
Her sister grew unusually quiet. “I’m sorry, Riley. You must be uncomfortable, and I’m prattling on about food.”
Shit.“I’m irritable and took it out on you. I owe you an apology, Tara. I hate hospitals, and I expect Dad to show up any minute. He always seems to track us down,” sheexplained as the aide locked the wheels and helped her transfer to the bed.
Tara waited until the staff left before turning to Riley. “Rebecca told me they listed you as a Jane Doe. Dad won’t find us. Did you want me to give you the money?” she asked, walking over to a new backpack.
“Where did you get that?” Riley asked as her eyes narrowed.
“Rebecca gave it to me this morning. It sure beats the one I used when we left. It has space for a laptop. I’ll take good care of it, and it might make it until I start college. Then, my financial aid will pay for one of those cool laptops in different colors,” Tara gushed as she brought the bag over for Riley to inspect it.
“What’s our number one rule?” she reminded Tara.
“If something comes for free, check it for strings,” Tara repeated. “Rebecca said she bought extra ones. She took me into a room where she kept her supplies, and they had tons of them. Do you want me to give it back?”
Riley sighed, feeling like an ass, especially when Tara gazed at her as if she had done something horrible. It’s a damn backpack, not a million bucks.
“No, you can keep it. Your old one can’t be sewn together anymore. Plus, it’s your favorite color,” Riley said, making a mental note to ask Rebecca how much it cost.
