Page 32 of My Rancher Valentine

“What’s going on?” Why was there some guy here?

“Beau, relax.” Hailey's voice came from somewhere close. “The nurse is just going to make sure you’re alright.”

“Nurse?”

“Don’t you remember falling? The rodeo?” Kat asked.

“Falling?” Memories came back slowly.

Being on Valentine ready to ride, seeing Kat walk out of stands, the barrel. “Fuck. I fell.” Again I tried to move, but I couldn’t.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” Panic took hold of my voice. “Why can’t I move?”

“You’re going to be fine.” The guy I didn’t know answered. “You’ve got a mild concussion, and a few bruises, but other than that, you are very lucky.”

“Are you sure?” I looked over at him.

“Yes.” He typed something into the computer in front of him. “The doctor should be in soon. They will probably want to keep you overnight, at least for observation.”

“Absolutely not.” I wasn’t staying here if I didn’t have to.

“Don’t be difficult,” Hailey ordered. “Just let them do their job.”

“Fine.” I’d let them take a look at me, but if I was fine, then I was getting out of here tonight.

I stayed still like a good little boy while the doctor looked me over. Turned out the concussion wasn’t as bad as they originally thought, and I was able to talk them into letting me return to the hotel. They wouldn’t clear me to go back to Bliss until I came back in tomorrow for a few more tests and agreed to seemy doctor back home, but at least I didn’t have to stay in the hospital.

Hailey, Daphne, and Kat all fussed over me while we drove back to the hotel. Then it was the three of them trying to get me settled in the room. Hailey fluffed up the pillows behind me, Daphne kept flipping through channels on the television, and Kat stayed glued to my side. That one I didn’t mind so much.

“I should call Mom back.” Hailey pulled out her phone. “I had a bitch of a time talking her and Dad into not coming down here until we knew how bad it was.” She dialed.

That’s the thing about when you ride in a rodeo so close to home. They broadcast it for everyone to see.

“Hey, Mom.” I tuned out the rest of her conversation.

“Are you alright?” Kat asked.

“I’d kill for a double up from Grill Down Burgers, but other than that, I’m fine.”

“I don’t think you can have something that greasy and heavy, but I could go get you a grilled chicken sandwich or something.” She offered.

“How about we send my sisters to get us food when Hailey gets off the phone?” I suggested. “That way, we can have a moment alone.” I wanted to know why she left earlier at the rodeo.

“Okay.”

“Good.” I picked up her hand and pressed my lips to her soft skin.

It took some convincing, but I was finally able to get Hailey and Daphne to leave us alone. As soon as they left, I grabbed hold of Kat and pulled her mouth to mine. She leaned into me. The taste and feel of her in my arms was better than anything else in the world. I hated to pull back, but I still had questions.

“I’m sorry.” She spoke first. Tears gathered in her eyes as she looked down at me. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright, Kitten.” I smoothed her hair back. The sight of her crying broke me. I never wanted to see her this hurt again. “Talk to me.”

“I got scared.” She sniffed to hold back another wave of tears. “This wasn’t supposed to be real. You weren’t supposed to be real. I just thought I would spend a couple days with you flirting and getting on my nerves, and that would be that. I didn’t know I’d fall for you.”

I held my breath. Excitement coursed through me. “You’ve fallen for me?” I had to know for sure that she felt even half of what I did for her.

She nodded. “Yes, and I’m so scared that this isn’t going to work or that you have just been putting on an act for the leather people that I don’t know what to do.”

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