Page 31 of My Rancher Valentine

My heart shuddered to a stop and then took off again. Where had that thought come from? I wasn’t really marrying Beau. This was all fake. Wasn’t it?

Flashes of Beau smiling at me, his arm around my waist, his eyes when he told the Patchwork guys I was worth waiting for filled my head.

“I want the sponsorship, but it isn’t more important than you.”His words echoed around me and settled inside my heart.

“I want you in my life. I want you in my bed. I want you in my future.”I wanted him too. How had I not noticed?

“Does it feel like I’m pretending?”

He had been serious. This whole time he hadn’t been faking a thing, and neither had I. Whatever was happening between us hadn’t been pretend or fake for a long time, if it ever had been.

“Will you look at that? It looks like there’s movement.” I went back to focusing on Beau. His leg came up slowly, but he was still down.

“Come on, Beau.” Daphne had her hands clasped together as if she was praying. Hailey was on the phone. I assumed it was with their parents.

There was a loud swell of clapping as Beau sat up. He didn’t look good, but he was breathing.

The doctors helped him off the field, and we all split apart to give them space. Beau looked around before his eyes settled on me, and a half smile pulled at his lips. I smiled back, grateful. There was a chance for us yet.

Chapter 12

Beau

The sound of clicking woke me. I looked around the sterile white room, trying to get my vision back in place. Everything felt as if it was swimming in double. The buzzing in my head competed with the one in my ears. Fuck me, either I had a hard night, or something wasn’t right. The groan was involuntary. The clicking stopped, followed by a scratch and a soft touch on the side of my face.

I closed my eyes, still trying to focus. Everything felt so off, and I couldn’t remember why.

“Just relax.” The touch continued. “The nurse should be in soon.”

Nurse? What the hell sort of night did I have?

Slowly, I opened my eyes. This time, the room didn’t spin. I tilted my head to the right. Beautiful, foggy eyes greeted me.

“Hey, Kitten.” I smiled, or at least I think I smiled. That was my goal. My hand felt heavy as I reached up to touch her. “God, you’re gorgeous.”

The way she giggled reminded me of when we were in grade school and the class came to learn how to make ice cream. They gave each of us a sample, but I snuck Kat an extra scoop. Maybe I was always in love with her. I liked that idea.

“Come back to bed, baby. I want to hold you.” I tried to move, but all of me felt so heavy.

“Sorry. No can do.” She kissed the top of my forehead.

I heard the creak of a door before I could ask why.

“You’re awake. That’s good.” A male voice flowed around the room. “Let’s take a look at you.”

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