Page 37 of A Family With the Cowboy

“Sorry…” Tim muttered as he walked back to his truck.

“I’m phoning Dawson.” Becket had his phone out.

Hayden shook his head. “Leave it. I’ll talk to Tim when I know Luke is fine.”

“That man hurt Jessie!” Luke cried and moved to pick up Jessie.

“Don’t touch him,” Cooper stopped Luke as he and Willow crouched down next to Jessie. Cooper put his hands on the dog.

Hayden was on his knees in front of Luke. “Are you okay?” Fear still clutching his throat, he ran his hands down his son’s arms. “Have you been hurt?” Luke was deathly pale and he was shivering.

“Not me…Jessie,” Luke sobbed as he turned back toward his dog.

Tim’s truck pulled away.

Becket put his phone away. “Damn it, Hayden, I don’t know why you don’t want to phone Dawson. This time ’round, you have to press charges. Where does he get the idea our cattle graze on their land?”

His heart still racing, Hayden got up. “They’re struggling.”

“I know you’re sorry for his wife, but he’s clearly unstable,” Becket said.

Ignoring his brother, Hayden took Luke’s hand. He’d talk to Tim when he knew his son was okay. “Come on buddy, I’m taking you to the hospital…”

“No!” Luke cried, his eyed wide with fear.

Willow quickly stepped closer. “What if Dad takes you to Doctor Vivian’s house where she sees patients?”

Hayden swallowed. Of course. The last time Luke had been to Marietta Regional Hospital was the day before Madeline had passed away. “Good idea. Will you please phone her?” he asked Willow.

Willow nodded, her phone already in her hand. “Of course. Drive safely.”

“What about Jessie?” Luke cried, turning back to where Cooper was still sitting next to the dog.

“The vet is on his way,” Cooper said, putting his phone away. “I think Jessie is going to be fine. We’ll do everything we can, I promise.”

“Come on, Luke. Let’s get you out of those wet clothes before we leave.”

Chapter Fourteen

By the timeLaura and Molly had walked around the block, she was shivering from the cold. Picking up Molly, she walked faster. “Let’s get home. It’s the perfect day for getting back into bed and reading. There is still soup…”

As they neared Vivian and Aiden’s house, she noticed the truck driving down the street. Her heart missed a beat. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was Hayden’s truck. Arlene’s front door opened and her neighbor came rushing out, pulling on her coat as she ran down the stairs.

Laura’s heart tripped. Something was wrong. As the truck turned and parked in the driveway in front of Vivian’s and Aiden’s house, she ran closer, Molly still in her arms. Something was wrong. Luke or Hayden…

She and Arlene reached the truck simultaneously. Laura put Molly down. Arlene opened the door on the passenger side and hugged Luke. “Luke, sweetie…” she cried.

Hayden came around his truck, looking grave and shaken.

“What happened?” His mouth opened and closed a few times. He was clearly deeply upset. Without thinking, Laura stepped closer and hugged him. “What happened?” she asked against his chest.

With a groan, he pulled her closer and pressed his face into her shoulder. Stroking his back with her one hand, she tried to convey how much she’d missed him, how sorry she was for whatever has happened.

“Hayden…” Arlene’s voice finally penetrated the bubble Laura was sharing with Hayden.

He stepped closer to his mom, giving her a hug before he took Luke’s hand. “Doctor Vivian is going to make sure Luke here is okay. We had a scare just now, didn’t we, buddy?”

“Jessie was hurt.” Luke sniffed. “I tried to grab her away from the wheel of that man’s truck, but…” Tears streamed down his face.

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