Page 54 of You're My Person - For Always

He stepped over and squatted beside Zora. "Let's see your ankle."

"I stepped into a prairie dog hole." His mom pulled up the hem of her jeans.

Her ankle was swollen above her sneaker. But she moved her foot without too much difficulty.

"I'll go back and get the side-by-side, and then we'll see about getting you to the hospital," he said.

"It's not broken." Zora frowned. "Is Barney still around?

Barney was ancient but still practiced medicine around the clubhouse. He hid his surprise that Zora knew the old man. But a sprained or twisted ankle was right up the old man's alley.

"Yep. I'll give him a call when I get back to the garage." He straightened and walked a few yards away with Kenna. "Are you okay to stay with her?"

"Of course." She wrinkled her nose. "Can you also call the bar and let Lori and Rebecca know I'll be there as soon as I can?"

"Don't worry about it. Zane already sent Taylor to cover for you tonight."

"Sorry."

"Not your fault." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You scared the shit out of me when I couldn't find you."

"I didn't mean—"

"I get it." He inhaled deeply, trying to shake the worry. "Thanks for helping Zora."

She kissed him quickly and sent him on his way. He jogged back toward the house. Once he stood in front of the garage, cell service came back, thanks to the booster. He made the necessary calls, grabbed the keys off the hook, took the first UTV he came to and headed back out to pick up Zora and Kenna.

Luck was on his side. Barney was at the clubhouse. Now they had to cross their fingers that he wasn't too drunk to check out Zora's ankle.

Dodging pine trees and boulders, he zigzagged his way to where he'd left the two women. There was only room for two people, but he wasn't planning on leaving Kenna behind while he helped his mom.

He got Zora into the passenger seat without causing her too much pain. Most of the discomfort seemed to come from putting weight on her foot.

"Kenna, go ahead and get in the driver's seat." He walked around to the other side.

"Me?"

He motioned for her to get inside the rig. "You'll drive back."

"I don't know how to drive this." She slid behind the steering wheel.

"It's just like a car." He reached in and turned the key on. "Put your foot on the accelerator lightly and go slow."

"How are you getting back?"

"Same way you are." He gripped the overhead bar and put his boot on the skid plate. "Let's go."

As he hung off the side, she navigated the UTV over the land with pure determination. Going slow enough, the rough terrain failed to dislodge him. When they arrived at the back of the house, they found Zane and Barney waiting for them.

He leaned into the side-by-side. "Let Zane carry you into the house. Barney will take a look at your ankle."

"Thank you." Zora scooted to the edge of the seat and turned toward his brother. "And thank you. I never expected either of you to help me or sweet Kenna for coming to rescue me. All I wanted to do was bring over some flowers for the girls after they were so nice to include me in your dinner the other night."

"Not a problem." Zane picked her up and carried her to the house.

Kenna got out of the UTV. "I hope she'll be okay."

"A little rest and some ice, and she'll probably be fine." He looped his arm around her shoulders.

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