Page 9 of More Than a Helping Hand

“I’ll get a bag for your clothes. You’ll want to pull out all the visible spines, then run some tape over the fabric to get out little ones before washing.”

“Thanks for the tip.”

I walk out of the room and tap out a quick text to Parker.

Me:Wow. That’s incredible. Who’s the guy?

Before getting an answer, I tuck my phone away.

I scribble my phone number on a full sheet of paper and fold it. Back in the exam room, I try to ignore Anderson’s gaze as I carefully drop his clothes into the bag. Then I slide the folded sheet of paper into the back pocket of the jeans and set the bag beside him. “I’ll be back when your clothes get here.”

He taps the bag. “Thank you.”

Today has been weird. I can’t believe I just gave this man my number. We’ll have to see what tomorrow brings.

CHAPTER4

ANDERSON

Ibuckle into the passenger seat, then pull out the folded paper. Primrose gave me her number.

“You’re incredibly chipper for someone who just had cactus spines removed from his butt.” Dallas glances at me before turning out of the lot.

“The nurse was cute. And she gave me her number.” I tap the number into my phone, labeling it Nurse because there aren’t enough Primroses in the world for Parker not to think twice if that name shows up on my screen. Then I tear off the corner of the page where she wrote the number and slip that piece into my wallet.

“Figures. As tall as you are, women probably throw their phones at you, asking you to create a contact.” He grins, but this isn’t the first time he’s mentioned something about height.

If I gave him six inches, we’d both be closer to average.

He turns up the radio, and we ride in quiet for a ways. Then he turns it down again. “So, are you going to call her?”

“I will. But probably not today.” I’m hoping I can figure out a little more about Primrose and Bailey before I make that call.

Dallas parks outside the horse barn. “You want me to drop you here or at your place?”

“Here works. You coming in?”

“Nope. Clint wants me to check a stock tank,” he says.

I grab my bag of clothes. “Have fun. And thanks for everything.”

Once he pulls away, I drop the bag in the bed of my truck, where the pieces of Fred can’t hurt anyone else, then walk into the barn.

“You’re back.” Bailey tears across the barn, headed straight for me.

No one has welcomed me to anything anywhere with such enthusiasm since… forever.

I lean down and open my arms, and she throws her arms around my neck.

“Did they fix you all up?” She looks down at my sweatpants. “What happened to your other clothes?”

“I’m all good now. Only a tiny bit sore when sitting. And I need to get the pokie little things off my jeans before I wear them again.”

She presses her hands to each side of my face. “What’s your name?”

“Anderson.”

“That’s kinda long.” She crinkles her nose.

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