Page 53 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

She smiled when I tightened my hold around her waist and spun her around the small space.

“One more?” I asked, already knowing I’d set the song to play on repeat. When it started up again, Juni giggled.

“Come here,” I said when it ended for the second time, grabbed my phone, and shut down the app before walking over to the sofa.

I stretched out across the cushions and pulled her down beside me.

“Much better,” I murmured, grabbing a blanket from the back and spreading it over both of us. “Warm enough?” I asked.

“I am now.”

“Thanks again for what you did earlier. About the horses.”

She kissed my cheek. “You’re welcome.”

I was about to fasten my lips to hers when my mobile rang. “Sorry,” I muttered, shifting to pull it out of my pocket.

When Juni started to move, I put my free arm around her and kept her close to me. “Buck? What’s up?” I asked when I saw his number on thescreen.

“Port’s been in an accident over in Parlin. Holt and I are headed there now.”

“What kind of accident?”

“All we know is that he hit another car and that there are injuries.”

I scrubbed my face with my hand. “What can I do?”

“Get in touch with Matt Rice. Let him know he’s on his own for the stock show.”

“Wait. How bad was Port hurt?”

“Not a scratch, according to the sheriff?—”

“I don’t get it.”

“He was drunk, Cord, and they aren’t sure the other driver is going to make it.”

“Fuck.”

I covered my eyes with my hand, knowing Juni had heard every word. I would’ve told her anyway, of course, but I hated that she was hearing it the same way I was.

“I’ll call Matt. Let me know when you get to Parlin and what you find out.”

When I ended the call and set my phone down, Juni shifted again to get up. “Not yet. Please,” I whispered.

She relaxed against me, and I held her as close as I could. Yeah, I needed to call Matt Rice, but first, Ihad to try to wrap my head around everything Buck had said. Porter drove drunk, hit another car, and they weren’t sure the driver would make it.

Other than finding out one of my brothers or my sister was dead, this was the worst news I could imagine. I’d say I was shocked, but every one of us knew Porter drank too much. Me especially, since I worked with him day in, day out.

Why hadn’t I warned Buck or Holt? Why hadn’t I told them how many times I’d taken his keys so he wouldn’t get behind the wheel?

I felt Juniper’s hand cup my cheek, and God, was it ever what I needed. I looked into her eyes and saw nothing but compassion. As much as I wanted to kiss her, now wasn’t the time. I had at least one call to make while I waited to hear from one of my brothers once they reached Parlin.

I eased us both so we were sitting up.

“I’ll call Gray to come and get me.”

I studied her. Was it because she didn’t want to be here or because she wanted to give me privacy?

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