Page 104 of Rainbow Rodeo

“Good deal.” Dalton leaned into his touch.

“Mmm.” He just—God, Dalton did it for him.

“Oh, I know now. I know what not hurting looks like on your face.” Dalton smiled at him, hand on his thigh, fingers rubbing just slightly.

“I was doing physical therapy on the big tour. Every day with sports medicine. I guess I just got lazy.” Not lazy but into his new, amazing relationship. That pain had caught him purely by surprise today.

“We can get someone to help you. Danice? The barrel racer with the bad scar from the dog bite? She’s a massage therapist.”

“Yeah? I would pay her.” Doc Tallent would be pleased when he checked in too.

“I’ll give her a call. She carries a massage table in her trailer, no lie.” Dalton helped him sit up. “I’ve seen her give horses massage even.”

“I should be easy, then.”

Dalton laughed for him, soft and fond. “You’re magic, man.”

“I am?” How could he do anything but laugh along?

“Yessir.” Dalton winked at him.

“I’ll take it.” Tank hummed. “Guess we should get back, huh?”

“Pops will be stressing, so yeah. If you get to hurting, let me know.”

“I will. Hey, do we have some Tylenol? That will help hold me.”

“Surely do. Let me go grab you a couple. I’ll be right back, two shakes.”

“Thanks, baby.” Sitting up slowly kept the weird dizziness at bay, so he sat on the edge of the bed and waited.

Dalton came back with water and Tylenol, along with a wet dishcloth.

“Did I make a mess?” Tank took the pills gratefully.

“I thought you’d like it for your face. Momma’s salve makes me feel all flushed.”

He was all hot. “You’re taking such good care of me.”

“It’s my pleasure.” The cold cloth landed on the back of his neck, making him gasp.

Goose bumps rose up on his skin. “Damn. Oh. Wow.”

“Yeah. Feels good, doesn’t it?”

“Scary good.” It woke him right up.

“It’s like getting sprayed after a tattoo.”

“Yeah.” Dalton touched Tank’s chest. “You got a few more than me.”

“I do. Not a ton, but some.” He had one for every life he’d saved. Really saved.

“Me and Bubba and Sister have the same one.”

The hat and boots with a rope around the bottom. “You get them in Austin?”

“We did. We had a ball. Went out afterwards to Kerbey Lane.”

---