Page 25 of Stables

The frailty of them both causes some crazy drive to protect them to surge within my limbs.

My hands shake with the heat of fury as I try to finish.

“Yea. We’re just going through a rough patch, but I’ll get her back. As long as people stay the fuck out of my business.” He lets out a long groan as I pinch the wound together and smear adhesive over it.

“What makes you think she wants you back?” It’s a stupid question, but I can’t stop myself from goading him.

When he snorts, I’m tempted to take the medical tray and cave his skull in.

“She’s lucky to have me. No one else would want her.”

His words send ice down my spine.

Before I can stop myself, my fingers lace under his jaw and around his throat, pinning him to the stretcher.

The stool rolls on its own until my nose is inches from his. “You’re wrong,” I grit out through clenched teeth. “I do. And if you touch her again, I’ll make sure to break you so badly, you’llhave to beg someone to wipe your ass for you,” I growl before snapping off my gloves and kicking my chair away.

My chest heaves as I fling the curtain out of my way and stalk past Wade.

I’m sure he heard the whole damn thing, but he’s smart enough to keep his mouth shut.

Maggie’s wide brown eyes follow me before I disappear into the office.

What the hell did I just do?

The rush of my pounding pulse races through my ears.

Char isn’t mine. I have no claim on her or her daughter. But some piece of me has decided to throw down the gauntlet that I’d die to keep her safe.

Chapter 7

Char

“Thanks again for hangingout with me today.” I wince as I follow Libby to the door.

She lets Paisley slide down her hip before setting her on the floor. “Of course! It’s not like it was hard.” Grinning, she yanks on her heavy Muck boots over her coveralls.

“Hope I didn’t get shit on your carpet.” She makes a point of looking down and around her feet.

I wave my hand. “Small price to pay for all of your help. My horses will be eternally grateful.”

As will I.

“Call me if you need anything. Please?” Libby pulls me gently into a hug. “And you better text me if you hear from that hot doctor.”

I let out a sigh. “Paisley is doing much better today. Besides, he’s old enough to be my dad.” My fingers trail over my daughter’s curly hair as she scampers past me.

Libby winks, then waggles her eyebrows. “Then call him ‘daddy’ and enjoy the ride!” Giggling, she dances backwards onto the porch.

“Seriously, though. Maybe you just need to have a rebound to put some distance between you and Matt. I bet he’d back off if you had a big, strong boyfriend like that giant doctor.” Her hands stretch up over her head, but then she brings them together and widens them to match her mischievous smile. “This long?” Her palms drift further apart. “Perhaps this?”

“Ha. Ha. Lotta talk from a virgin,” I tease her. “Do you have any idea how badly something that giant would hurt?” Laughing makes my ribs ache and my lip pulls tightly on its scab, but it still makes me feel better.

Her nose wrinkles. “Just because I haven’t bought the car, doesn’t mean I haven’t kicked some tires and revved some engines.” The pink tip over her tongue sticks out before she blows me a kiss and climbs into her truck.

Waving, I watch her leave the driveway before moving back inside.

“Mommy? Book?” Paisley follows me from the living room dragging her blanket and farm animal story. “Go-goats?” She balls her fist and rubs her knuckles over her eyes.

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