by Jillian Hart
“That’s what I told him.” Nate had been understating the horse’s condition. Sorrow glimmered in his eyes and he knelt to fuss with a splint stabilizing the gelding’s cannon. “There’s an access road not far from here. I’ll fetch my truck and we can winch him into my trailer.”
The distant whop-whop of helicopter blades grew louder as she checked the IV Nate had started, took Clark’s vitals and, alarmed at the low heart rate, prayed. The helicopter’s engine whined, so close the deafening beat of the blades stirred the grasses like a wind machine. She prayed for Mr. Parnell and for his wife. As she palpated Clark’s belly, she thought of Adam fighting to save Mr. Parnell. What a terribly sad morning.
Nate’s rig and trailer came into sight. She hopped up, eager to get the harness in place, not wanting to waste precious time. The moment her shoes hit the earth, the sun peeked over the eastern horizon. Soft light tumbled onto the scene like heaven’s gentle sympathy.
The back of her neck tingled. She spun around, already knowing she would see Adam above her on the road. Silhouetted and backlit by the dawn’s mellow light, he looked like the hero he was, a man who fought for life and stood for everything she most valued.
You will not love him, she told herself, but her uncooperative heart refused to listen. Affection lit her up like a country dawn as Adam lifted one hand in a brief wave. His gaze collided with hers and she felt the last of her denial shatter. Someone inside the chopper called his name, but a beat passed before he broke away. Her world changed as he climbed inside; the helicopter lifted off and wheeled out of sight.
Chapter Thirteen
“Look who I found at the back door.” Nate’s voice echoed in the long cement corridor of the big animal section of the clinic. It was part barn and part hospital with a sterile surgical room down the aisle from the padded recovery suite. This was where Cheyenne gave a groggy Clark a gentle neck pat before peering around the open door.
“Who did you find? Wait, I recognize that skipping gait.”
It echoed down the hall with a cheerful rhythm. Easy to recognize. “Julianna.”
“It’s me!” she sang, sweet as pie.
She knew Adam was near from the tug on the tides of her heart. Weary from a tough morning, she blinked her blurry eyes and zoomed in on the gorgeous man striding closer, flanked by his daughters. His dark gaze held a solemn note of understanding. She didn’t need to ask to know he had spent the morning helping with Mr. Parnell’s care.
“Surprise. We brought you lunch.” He held up several big bags giving off the wonderful greasy scents of burgers and French fries. “For you, too, Nate.”
“That’s mighty thoughtful of you.” Nate managed a wobbly grin of appreciation. “Cheyenne, I’ll stay with Clark if you want to take a break. Go on.”
“Are you sure?” Her stomach growled loudly, betraying her.
“I’ve got it covered.”
Jenny handed him a cup of cola out of the cardboard carrier and a straw. Julianna gave him a bag of food.
“Thanks a bundle.” No man on earth could have looked happier than Nate, who had been going hard since sunup. “Take your time, Cheyenne. I’ll call if I need help.”
“As long as you agree to take a break when I get back.” She gave Clark one last pat. The critically injured horse nickered low in his throat and his eyes drifted shut again.
“Is he going to die?” Julianna’s whisper vibrated with seriousness as she peered into the room. “He’s got stitches.”
“He had surgery this morning. He’s real serious, but he’s improving just a smidgeon.” Cheyenne wrapped her arm around the child. “Nate is a very good surgeon, so Clark has a fighting chance.”
“Good, because his owner loves him.”
“You don’t even know who his owner is.” Jenny sidled up, chin held high, struggling not to let her softer feelings show. And failing.
“He’s so beautiful, his owner has to love him. I know I would.” Julianna leaned close, a dear weight against Cheyenne’s side.
“I know how I would feel if that were Princess.” Jenny snuggled in on Cheyenne’s other side. “Princess isn’t really my horse, she’s Cady’s, but she feels like she’s mine.”
“That’s why Nate and I worked so hard this morning.” With an arm around each girl, she gently turned them away from Clark, who needed healing rest. “Mrs. Parnell loves her horse very much. There is nothing more important than love. It’s one reason I do what I do.”
“Me, too.” Adam’s sincerity rang low and rich. He stood ten feet tall in her view, a kindred soul in the truest sense.
I’m in big, big trouble, she thought as the four of them walked side by side toward the door where sunshine beckoned. Every step she made and every breath she took brought her closer to the exorable truth. She had fallen in love with Adam and his daughters. There was no way to stop it. She had passed the point of no return.
Adam held the door. She and the girls sauntered through. Bold sunshine baked them like an oven as they tumbled onto the blacktop.
“We have a picnic all set up.” Julianna broke away, pointing toward the shade trees in the grass between the back lot and the river. “The blanket was my idea.”
“But the picnic was mine.” Jenny trotted ahead so she could smooth down the ripples the wind had made. Rocks held down three of the four corners. “The flowers are from Dad.”
“From me?” Adam almost stuttered. “I wasn’t the one who picked them.”
“Dad, shh!” Jenny shook her head at him as she found a rock to secure the wayward corner. “They’re from Dad, Cheyenne.”
“Yes, from Dad,” Julianna emphasized as she bounded onto the blanket, dropped to her knees and swept up the bundle of handpicked wildflowers. Daisies smiled, buttercups nodded and sunflowers danced on their long stems.
“They are apparently from all of us.” He set the food bags in the middle of the blanket. What were his girls up to? Come to think of it, they had been behind a lot of his recent encounters with Cheyenne.
“Thank you. They are lovely.” She took the bouquet and admired the blooms. Did she know how lovingly they had been picked? It hadn’t occurred to him until this moment when he saw the raw adoration on Julianna’s face and the unveiled hope on Jenny’s.
“When Nate called Mrs. Parnell to update her on Clark’s condition, she said Mr. Parnell was stable in CICU.”
“He had a heart attack when he was driving down the highway at fifty-five miles an hour.” Considering the other injuries the man sustained in the accident, it was a miracle he was still alive. “God was watching over him.”
“I was surprised to see you at the scene this morning.” She set the flowers aside on the blanket.
“The sheriff called me and told me to get out of bed and help.” He unrolled the crumpled edge of the bag and pulled out Jenny’s chicken burger. He handed it over. “So I did.”
“You made a huge difference.” Her gaze held his, gentle with respect. “After the helicopter left and we got Clark in the trailer, a few of the firemen told us what you did. Mr. Parnell wouldn’t have made it without you.”
“I was in the right place at the right time, and it wasn’t me.” God decided who lived and who didn’t. He learned that early on as a resident. “I did my best and I was glad to help.”
“You know what this means, right?” She took the burger he offered.
“What?”
“You’re one of us now. A true Wild Horse, Wyoming, citizen.”
His pulse flatlined as he gazed at her. All he wanted was to get closer to this precious woman when logic told him to run as fast as he could to escape.
“Dad, can I say grace?” Julianna’s innocent question penetrated his thoughts. He managed to nod, watching as Cheyenne bowed her head, the tendrils from her ponytail tumbled to hide her face. It took all his willpower to keep from reaching out and brushing them behind her ear. He wanted to trace the smooth ivory line of her jaw and the rosebud curve of her upper lip.
He realized he hadn’t bowed his head as he muttered “Amen,” but he figured God would hear him anyway and understand the reason why he couldn’t fully close his eyes. He felt his life change in the ordinary moments after Cheyenne’s quiet “Amen.” The girls unwrapped their burgers, Cheyenne dug into the tub of fries, and all three females chatted while birds sang from the trees.
Places within him long dormant and dark opened up at the music of Cheyenne’s laughter. Every missing piece in the puzzle of his life had been found and they all fit into place. I’m happy, he realized. Peace filled him with exceptional force, strong enough to wash away the torment of Stacy’s betrayal, the bleak years following his divorce and his fear of trusting another woman again. Like heaven’s touch to his soul, his spirit found light and she was in the center of that brightness, so incandescently beautiful he could see his future.
His future with her. Afternoons of picnics and laughter, evenings of lighthearted companionship and a singular sense of belonging. Fixing meals, going grocery shopping, having picnics by the river. He saw years of steady love that would never fade. He could trust Cheyenne with his girls and his heart forever. But was that what she wanted? Did he have a chance with her?
“Dad, can we go? Can we?”
He blinked, realizing he hadn’t heard the content of the conversation. His daughters peered up at him with expectant hope, excitement oozing out of them as they practically bounced in place.
“I wasn’t listening,” he admitted.
“Oh, typical man.” Cheyenne tossed a fry at him, which sailed past his head. Intentionally, he figured, since she was the most skilled woman he knew. She was probably an expert markswoman. She shook her head, scattering silken strands of burnished cinnamon. “Girls, do you think he heard a single word we said?”
“No,” they answered in unison.
“Then I think it should be an automatic yes. That will teach him to listen next time.” She winked at him and took a sip from her straw. “There might be a few close calls, but your dad will probably survive. He might be a bit battered and bruised, but he’ll heal. Eventually.”
“Eventually?” What had they been talking about? The chuckle rolled through him. For a day that had started out tough and had gotten tougher, he felt remarkably strengthened instead of drained, whole instead of spent. Life was better with her. He reached for his cup of cola. “Why exactly would I get bruised and battered?”
“The haying is almost done.” Cheyenne tossed him an innocent look. “Which means we will be moving the range livestock to fresh pastures soon. You will be riding with us in the cattle drive.”
Fantastic. The lurch of panic streaming into his veins wasn’t because of the prospect of getting on a horse. It was because of her.
“Great. Looking forward to it.” He unwrapped his chicken burger and took a bite. “Don’t look shocked. I’m full of surprises.”
“That was mighty thoughtful of the doc and his kids,” Nate commented from his desk in the small office across from the recovery room. “Seems to have taken a fancy to you.”
“Oh, the girls and I are kindred spirits.” Cheyenne propped one shoulder against the doorjamb. “Animal lovers have to stick together.”
“You know it.” Nate made a notation on Clark’s file. “I was talking about Adam. He really likes you.”
“Oh.” Her face turned instantly hot and tight as a blush rushed across her cheeks and turned her nose as bright as a strawberry. She stared down at the flowers she held in her hand. She had yet to deal with her incredibly strong feelings for Adam. The time spent with him and his girls lingered like a hymn, lifting her up.
“That’s what I thought.” Nate nodded his approval. “I like the doc. He arrived on scene the same time I did, and his fast action saved Ron Parnell. He’s a good man.”
“So everyone has said to me today. Right now I’m not looking for a man, good or otherwise.” She opened a cabinet door in search of a cup.
“Sometimes we don’t have much say in the timing. God does.” Nate flipped the file closed. “Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon? You have that thing at Cady’s. I’ll stay here.”
“Are you sure? You’ve had a long day, too.” She felt rosy from the picnic with the Stone family and the following walk along the river. She felt ready to take on any problem. “I have a little time before I have to leave for the spa. Why don’t you head home to take a quick nap and come relieve me in an hour? If Clark gets into trouble, I’ll call.”
“I won’t be far away.” Literally, since he lived a few blocks over. He pushed to his feet. “That’s a good plan. I’m glad to have you on board.”
“Glad to be on board.” She plunked the flowers into a cup and left them on the counter.
“Any word yet on when Frank is going to pop the question to Cady?”
“Nothing that I can reveal.”
“That sounds promising.”
Excitement sparkled through her, merry and light. Her life had taken a whole new turn. She waved goodbye to Nate before creeping back into Clark’s stall, where the dozing animal opened one eye enough to peer at her through his long dark lashes and nicker low in his throat.
“Poor boy, I’m right here.” She stroked his neck, willing all the love and comfort she could into her voice and into her hands.
Seems to have taken a fancy to you. He really likes you. She tried to block Nate’s comments and failed. Things were happening too fast, but she’d never felt this way before. In sync, as if they were two halves of a whole.
Did she dare trust in love again? Right now, no words had been spoken, she hadn’t committed her heart and if she left things the way they were with Adam, she would never get hurt. She could hide her affections and when he left at summer’s end he would be none the wiser and she wouldn’t be shattered. She threaded her fingers through Clark’s coarse mane, wondering. Is that what she wanted? Would she rather stay safe or did she take the risk?
“What do you think, handsome?”
Clark nickered in one weak rumble, although his eyes remained closed. One ear rotated slightly, as if he were interested to hear more of her dilemma. Did she risk her heart? Was anything worth that risk?
“The thing is, I have this falling-stomach feeling like when you’re on the topside of a roller coaster about to go down. It’s scary.” She kept her tone reassuring. She ran her fingers lightly through his mane. “I don’t want to get hurt. It’s happened before.”
Clark’s breathing deepened into a regular rhythm and she dared to hope he would pull through with flying colors. Life was uncertain. It was finite. There was no time to waste any chance for happiness and a family of her own. She loved those girls and she loved their father. Was keeping her heart safe worth the future she might lose with them?
What would the future be like with Adam? She imagined afternoons like today brimming with laughter and funny things the girls said and Adam’s solid presence by her side. She imagined happiness and joy so great, she couldn’t remember the hurts of her past. She longed for the comfort of Adam’s much larger hand in hers. She missed his presence with a physical pain that left her gasping for air. She pulled her phone from her pocket and tapped on the keys.
Had fun with you and your girls today. Looking forward to doing it again.
She hit Send and adrenaline hit her hard. Such a big step to make and her stomach cinched up tight. Her phone chimed. Adam’s answer popped onto her screen.
Me, too. The girls are busy planning the dinner they are going to fix for you. It’s a big secret. I’ve been banished from their bedroom. Is there anything I can do for you?
His offer touched her. Her fingers tapped across the keys.
I’m fine n
ow.
How’s the horse?
Stable. The next 24 hours will be crucial.
She tried to imagine Adam sitting on his back patio, while the girls played in the room, tapping away on his phone keys. Or was he in the air-conditioned house? She had a sudden insatiable curiosity to know. She missed him, a sign she was already committed, whether or not she wanted to be.
The girls and I said another prayer for him. How are you holding up?
Better than average since I’m spending time with a very handsome guy.
She hit Send and returned to stroking Clark’s neck.
You mean the horse?
I’ll never tell.
Her fingers flew across the keys.
You’re teasing me, aren’t you?
His answer marched across the screen.
Someone has to.
She imagined the smile on his face, the dimples creasing his cheeks and the deep, manly roll of his chuckle. A rosy glow filled her, growing stronger every time she thought his name. While she waited for his next text, she grabbed Clark’s chart to record his vitals. Adam remained in her thoughts and in her heart, a permanent change.
Cady had been looking forward to a spa afternoon with the Granger girls for a long time. It hadn’t been easy to arrange with everyone’s busy schedule, but it was good to have them all together. The spa rang with conversations and merriment as she swung by the mini kitchen to sort through the bottles of soda in the fridge. On the other side of the wall, she could hear Rori’s conversation with her husband, Justin, Frank’s oldest son.
