Page 69 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

Mr. Donovan sits next to her in a chair, looking amused by Ellie’s eagerness to bail.

“Not exactly, but we brought you some clean clothes and your toothbrush.” Magnolia hands her the bag.

“Oh my God, thank you. I can’t wait to get out of this gown and shower at some point.”

When Poppy fusses, I take her from Noah’s arms so they can talk. I bounce her around the small room and let her look out the window.

“Any chance you checked on Ranger?” Ellie asks Noah.

“Yep, and he’s doing fine. I can tell he misses you.” Noah sits on the edge of the bed. “Everyone’s askin’ about you.”

Ellie rolls her eyes. “More like they’re wonderin’ if I’m out for the season so they can take my spot.”

I smirk at that. Glad to see the arrogant Ellie is still in there.

“That just means you’re gonna come back stronger and better than ever next year. The time off will be good for you, too,” Noah says. “I’ll continue trainin’ with Ranger so he doesn’t get out of his routine.”

“I will, too,” I interject, and when Noah looks at me, her brows furrow. “You have enough on your plate, and I don’t mind. Plus, Ranger likes me.”

“It was just his owner who didn’t.” Magnolia laughs at her own joke, but no one else does. “What? You can’t tell me her forgettin’ who you are ain’t a bit ironic and hilarious?”

Of course Noah told her.

“It kinda sucks, honestly.” Ellie glances at me before speaking to Magnolia. “There’s so much I can’t recall and it makes me feel like I’m missing a part of myself. Makes me feel a little vulnerable, too. Like y’all know a secret about me but no one’s sharing it.”

“I’d be happy to fill you in on the town gossip,” Magnolia teases. “You wouldn’t believe what people openly share with me while I’m makin’ their lattes.”

Noah nudges her. “We can’t, remember? The doctor said it’ll confuse her.”

“Even if it’s not about her?” Magnolia asks.

Ellie groans. “I don’t see why not. I’m confused as hell anyway.”

“What if she reads something on her phone? I’m sure there are messages, emails, or something that will trigger a memory,” Magnolia suggests.

“I don’t use my phone much,” Ellie admits. “I post on my social media pages a couple times a week, but that’s about it. Otherwise, everyone I talk to is usually in person or we call.”

“Damn. So no juicy tea to discover.” Magnolia pouts.

“That’s what happens when you stay in your lane and mind your business…” Noah directs to Magnolia, and I snort.

She’s one to talk.

After another twenty minutes of the girls talking, the nurse enters and says she’s been cleared to start working on her discharge papers.

Ellie goes to change out of her gown and then they discuss how they’re going to get Ranger and the trailer back to the ranch. Mr. Donovan states he’ll drive the truck and Mrs. Donovan will take Ellie home in their car.

“I’ll let Ayden know to be ready for his arrival and he’ll get him situated in his stall,” Noah tells them. “Once we’re back, I’ll have the vet check him over just to make sure he didn’t get hurt during the fall. He seemed fine, though, but I’m not takin’ any chances.”

“Thank you. We appreciate that,” Mrs. Donovan says.

“I’ll get out there as soon as I can.” Ellie frowns. “Even if it’s just to sit and read to him.”

Magnolia rocks Willow back and forth when she gets restless. “You read to your horse?”

“Mostly when we’re traveling. It can get lonely just the two of us, so I’ll sit with him and read my book out loud. It calms him, too.”

“Aww…that’s sweet. I wish I was a horse girlie,” Magnolia says. “But I’m kinda terrified of ’em.”

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