Page 18 of The Edge of Intensity

It’s a long walk to Eastlynne’s place and I’m relieved when I see Parker standing in front of the stables. He’s utterly calm as he approaches the horse to inspect the wound.

“Let me take him,” he says and I hand him the reins. “Walker called ahead and I have everything set to clean the wound. I’ll stitch it up and put a drain into it. I can’t believe some people. Thank fuck he’s dead, shooting his own damn horse.”

“We need to take all of them out. I ordered Decker to bring in Kathleen. This shit is getting too damn twisted and we have two dead bodies which I assume can be linked to Erwin Desmond. She can build a case against him, and I’m not afraid to testify to the fact that one of his handlers shot and injured a horse.”

“Good,” Parker rumbles. “I don’t mind hiding a body, but a whole pile is a bit of a fuss and my back will appreciate the help.”

I nod and ask, “How’s Cosima doing?”

“Mild concussion. The swelling and bruising around the eyes will become worse over the upcoming few days. She has bruised ribs where the fucker kicked her. It will take a few weeks for her to recover. At least there isn’t any permanent damage. They’ll know for sure when she’s able to open her eyes. For now they’re swollen shut. She has a follow-up appointment set at the hospital when the swelling has gone down.” Parker sighs and gently pets the horse’s nose. “I don’t know about the mental trauma. She’s holding strong with the jokes and tough shit she throws out, but it might just be her way of coping.”

“She lives with my old lady and Cosima has always been there for her sister, so I damn well know she’ll be returning the favor. I’ll keep an eye out as well.”

Parker nods. “Keep me posted. I’m going to take care of this one. You should have yourself checked as well. Flesh wound?”

I glance at my bloody arm and wince before I give Parker a chin lift. I stroll in the direction of the house, needing to handle a few tasks myself before I can spend time with Eastlynne. Hell, I hope she doesn’t blame me for bringing the heat to her place, and getting her sister injured.

She didn’t seem to be, but there’s been enough time in between for her to realize exactly what happened. It’ll add to the pressure of what it all entails to be the president’s old lady. I know damn well she created her own safe haven to balance her anxiety and other issues, and a load of havoc just landed on her doorstep…and it was me who opened the door to all of it.

CHAPTER NINE

Two days later

– EASTLYNNE –

“I shouldn’t have stayed away,” I grumble as I close Buckey’s stall.

With what happened at my ranch, Cosima getting hurt, I had no choice but to stay there instead of working with Buckey. He needs love and attention regularly, even though I had my hands full with taking care of Cosima. The complications due to the attack are causing extra stress and she needs to be cared for. Then there’s the fact that I’ve also been working on the new, injured horse Rourke left in my stable.

“It’ll be fine,” I hear a voice rumble and I turn to see Colt, one of the older Iron Hot Blood generation. “My horse, Cavier, was injured when he was young. He was in an accident where the trailer he was in crashed. I didn’t have the time to work on him every day because of my own issues. He turned out just fine.”

I give him a tiny smile, knowing he’s right. I’ve been around his son, Walker, more than a few times and he looks just like him.

“I know, but I’d rather have the horses I work with at my ranch. It’s why I bought the place.” I sigh and lean against the stable.

Colt shrugs. “Tell Prez, I’m sure the man would be open to the idea if you’d welcome more brothers into your home. You know, ’cause the horse in question is the centerpiece of the hate raining down on us and all.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest, feeling the frustration and annoyance fill my veins. My life took a drastic turn the past few days. Trying new meds to help dull the triggers and anxiety, opening up to new people. Well, more like Rourke slipping under my skin by working together.

With him comes a circle of people who all have their own demons to fight. Muriel, Kathleen’s mother, for instance, used to be a germaphobe. Kathleen told me how her parents met because of her mother having a stalker. She was placed in Decker’s care because of his ties with the FBI.

Their dog, Hammer, an Australian cattle dog, was one of the first who helped her overcome, and get a handle on it, along with everything else on the ranch. Sadly, Hammer died, but they have some of his offspring. Kathleen has one, Wrench, and he’s trained as a K9. Sadie, Spiro and Tristine’s daughter, has two and they’re trained search and rescue dogs.

Which reminds me. “Kathleen and Rourke are in church to talk about how things are going with the…hate raining.”

I frown and wonder if I should have mentioned the meeting.

Colt chuckles. “I know about the meeting, little one. You knowing about it shows the level of trust Rourke puts in you. Some old ladies don’t thrive well if details are kept from them. Rourke mentioned to everyone how you like routine, not having your personal space breached, and no surprises. I used to be a loner myself. PTSD changed me, but so did my horse, this brotherhood, and my old lady. Life hits you with challenges, but thank fuck there are also things that help balance it out. Well, if you allow them into your life. You being here, opening up? Good shit, darling. It might be hard to keep focus with all the turmoil, but the road of life will clear up when you let the dust settle.”

I let my body relax as I take in his words and dammit, “I don’t regret the tiny steps I’ve taken since I met Rourke, even if some were forced. The meds also help, along with Rourke who seems to have all the patience and understanding in the world when it comes to me.”

“Everything is worth the patience and understanding when it comes to finding the one woman who shines bright and overshadows the downsides in life.” Colt grins. “I happen to speak from experience, and I’ve seen many of my brothers fall for their old lady. There’s no better feeling than knowing you are able to stand side-by-side and share ups and downs. Even if we have a whole brotherhood at our back.”

My head bobs. “These past few days have been–” I try to think of how to describe it and finally go with, “Uncomfortable.”

“Understandable with her handling most of your social contacts. She’s recovering, and it’s forcing you to step up as well.”

He’s right. “It scares the crap out of me. Cosima is a highly active person and now she’s mostly resting in bed. Like you said, she would handle everything when it comes to communicating with others. I don’t want to bother her and she needs the rest with her concussion, and the complication she has along with it.” Shaking my head I admit the scariest part, “I hope the loss of sight is temporary and that there’s no permanent damage to the optic nerve.”

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