Page 37 of Bull Rush

She startles at the sound of my voice but barely spares me a glance. I start toward her just in case I might be able to help with the search.

“Do you know where the ATV keys are? It’s an emergency.” The anxiety seeps through her tone as she shifts the backpack on her shoulder again.

“I’ve got them in my pocket.” I reach back and hold themout for her. She whips around, a glare on her face as her eyes flash to the ceiling.

“You’ve got to put these back where you found them!” She snatches them unceremoniously from where they dangle at my fingertips.

“I’m sorry. I just finished up a few minutes ago. What’s wrong?” My brow furrows. I’d like to help if I can, but Hazel has always wanted to do everything herself, and I choose when and where to force the issue with her carefully.

“One of the guests fell off their horse. A rabbit ran out in front of them and startled the horse. It sounds like they broke an ankle. The ambulance is coming, but they’re delayed. I want to meet them, just in case, with the trailer and the first aid kit.” She talks just as quickly as she walks, and I trail behind her, following to the ATV.

“I took the trailer off this morning to get back into the wooded area. I can put it back on.”

“Fuck!” she curses, clearly frustrated that I’ve made this all harder than it needed to be.

“Just give me a minute, and I’ll get it together. I’ll drive us out there. Just take a breath.” I try to reassure her, but it’s a losing battle.

“Don’t tell me to take a breath.” She gives me a sidelong glare, but she tosses the keys back to me.

“You won’t be any help if you’re stressed too.”

“Kell called five minutes ago. I wanted to be on my way by now.”

“I’ve got you, Haze. Two minutes. Tell Kell we’re on our way.”

I hurry as fast as I can to get the trailer reattached to the ATV and bring it back around to where Haze is finishing her chat with Kell. Her face clouds with concern as he talks, and she shakes her head, her hand wiping at her brow as shestares up at the sky like something helpful might be there for her.

“Right. Right. We’ll be right there. I’ve got the first aid kit and water. The ambulance is on the way if we need it. Just let them know help’s coming and not to worry.” She waits for Kell’s response, and then she ditches her walkie on her hip.

“More than the ankle?” I try to figure out what has her looking so despondent.

“It doesn’t sound like it, but her friend is having a bit of an anxiety attack too. Doesn’t want to ride back. I just can’t believe this happened with new riders.” Hazel sounds defeated, and I’d give her a hug if I didn’t think she’d take one of my arms off in the process.

“It happens. There’s nothing you can do about it right now but get out there to help. Hop on, and I’ll drive us.”

“I can do it.”

“I know you can, but an extra set of hands won’t hurt either.”

She sees the wisdom in my plan and reluctantly climbs on the ATV behind me. She slides her other arm through the first aid pack and then wraps both around my waist before I gun it down the trail as fast as the trailer allows.

I’m not quite as worried as she is about the guest. I trust Kell in an emergency. He’s seen more than his fair share, and he has one of the coolest heads on the ranch. I’m fairly certain we’ll have this sorted quickly and be back to life as usual, but I don’t hate the idea of being able to help Haze out with something. Especially after she trusted me to help her last night.

When we getto the site of the accident, Kell has everyone comfortable in a nearby break in the woods,including the horses. They’re all having the snack he brought along for later in the ride, and he’s splinted the woman’s broken ankle. Her friend is currently sitting next to him, looking less frazzled and more captivated by whatever story Kell is currently telling her.

“I’m so sorry it took us a bit to get out here,” Haze apologizes to Kell and the guests.

“It looks like you’ve got everything under control though?” I look to Kell for the report.

“Yeah. We just need to get Samantha and Courtney back to the inn and see about Courtney getting some medical attention.” Kell stands and meets us to help assess the situation. Haze heads over to the guests and starts apologizing and asking what she can do.

“Do you want to finish out the tour with the other guests, and we can get Samantha and Courtney and their horses back?”

“Sounds like a plan. I can get Lady Luck to ride with me, but if you or Haze wanna ride Teddy back, that’d make it easier.” Kell pulls his cowboy hat off to smooth his hair back underneath it, and then places it back on his head.

“We can do that.” I nod, watching with concern as Haze tries to help Courtney stand, and she falters, unable to balance well.

“I’m sorry,” she apologizes to Haze. “I kinda twisted this one in the stirrup wrong when I slid off and then landed hard the other. I don’t think this one is broken, but it doesn’t feel good either.”

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