Page 86 of Tough Love

“Ready for a hot meal and a turn in the camp tub, Addy?” he says, beaming up at me. He takes his hat off and runs a hand through his hair. If I wasn’t in pain, that alone would have me off this horse in a heartbeat. But I can’t even lift my leg over. My joints are frozen. When I don’t move from the saddle, he searches my face, his slackening with concern. “Addy?”

“Addy! I need you over by the main tent; Reed’s horse needs seein’ to,” Harry barks.

We both flinch and snap our gazes to where he is striding toward us, all business.

“I—” I clench my teeth and try my right leg. Blinding pain shoots up my hip and through my side. “Fuck.” Tears burn behind my eyes.

“Now, please.” But his tone is no less demanding.

Hudson takes a step forward, as if putting himself between Harry and me.

“What’s going on?” Harry snaps.

“She will be there in a moment,” Hudson says, but his voice lacks conviction. Will I be able to walk in a moment? Dismount? Oh god. This is beyond mortifying, painful, and plain fucking stupid.

“You have three minutes.” Harry turns back and walks to where Louisa waits, arms folded over her chest, watching her husband. He stalks into the tent. Clearly, Harry is stressed out from the roundup. He has never spoken to me like that. His boys, sure, but never me. I don’t have time to mull over it asHudson turns back and comes to a halt at Sergeant’s shoulder. “You can’t get down, can you?”

I shake my head, and a tear streaks down my cheek.

“Jesus, Addy. How long have you been in pain?”

“Since yesterday morning. But it wasn’t that bad. Not like it is now.”

“Can I help you down? Would that work?”

I drop the reins and lean forward. Hudson grips my waist, lifting me from the saddle. I can’t stop the cry that leaves my lips. His face contorts, worry turning to fear and desperation. He takes my hands. “Dammit, Addy.”

I huff a strangled laugh and wipe my face with the back of my hands. “It’s not your fault.”

Reed and Mack walk from the tent to where I sit astride Sergeant. “Adds, what’s going on?” Reed’s face crinkles when his gaze meets Hudson’s. “Oh shit.”

“If you can’t come down, Sergeant will have to do it for you, okay?” Hudson says softly.

Mack and Reed exchange a wide-eyed glance.

“Okay?” I whisper.

“You trust him, right?”

I nod. “Yes, of course.”

“Good, hold onto the pommel. He’s gonna sway a little but then you will be down, and I will lift you off, okay?”

“Alright.” But my chin wobbles.

Mack appears at my side by Sergeant’s other shoulder and holds up a hand. “Hold my hand, Addy, Hudson will need to hold the horse.”

I take his hand, and he offers a small, warm smile. I feel tears burn again. Harry comes over, standing by Reed. The youngest of the brothers throws a warning glare the old man’s way. If I wasn’t in pain, I would have a chuckle at that. Hudson movesto Sergeant’s head and takes the reins at the side of the bit. He drops to one knee and guides the horse’s head down.

“Down, buddy,” he says.

The gelding moves forward a little and he rocks as he drops, folding one front leg until his knee hits the grass, then the other. I whimper as the movement tenses the muscles in my core. Mack rests a hand on my leg. My grip around his hand tightens.

“Easy, boy.” Hudson holds his head as the gelding lowers his haunches, coming to rest on the ground.

When the rocking stops, Mack drops his gaze to me. “You alright, Adds?”

I nod.

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