Page 25 of Wounded Cowboy
“Thought you guys might want a hand,” Winnie called as she emerged from her vehicle.
“What?” Spring asked in surprise.“Did Karla let you off the leash for the day?”
Winnie and Nick worked long days while filmingReviving Snowberry Springs, and often had to work through the weekends to make their episode deadlines.
“She didn’t have a choice.” Winnie put on her signature pink hard hat and donned her tool belt.“When Nick and I got to the theater this morning, we found a Stop Work order. The demolition crew found asbestos, so we’re at a standstill until the remediation team can work their magic.” She shook her head.“When Grandma Abigail called to tell me about all the storm damage on the ranch, I bailed and let Nick deal with the asbestos remediation guys.”
“Thanks, Winnie!” Spring said with genuine relief.
His youngest sister was a licensed general contractor, and right now, he needed all the help he could get.
The high winds and hail from last night’s thunderstorm had left a trail of destruction all over the county and derailed Spring’s original plan to fix a section of damaged fencing today. But such was the unpredictable nature of ranch life.
With Winnie assisting them, the rest of the roof repairs went quickly.
“Let’s take a lunch break before dealing with that fallen tree in the west pasture,” Winnie suggested as she finished caulking the last of the new panels.
They descended from the roof and packed up the extension ladders.
As they each sat on their trucks’ tailgates to eat, Spring checked his phone. No messages or missed calls.
Why didn’t Kelsey at least text me that everything’s going okay?
Cold sweat popped out on his forehead. His heart began pounding.
Fuck. Spring recognized the signs of an impending panic attack.
If he didn’t put the brakes on it now, his throat would close up, making it hard to breathe. An invisible boa constrictor would tighten around his chest, making him think he was having a heart attack. If things gotreallybad, he’d start shaking uncontrollably.
He closed his eyes and launched into the breathing exercises his VA therapist had recommended.
He focused on taking slow, deep breaths by inhaling deeply through his nose. He held each breath for a count of five and then exhaled slowly through his mouth.
From experience, he knew this deep breathing exercise kept his panic attacks from escalating.
With an effort, he imagined himself floating in the ranch’s hot tub, weightless and warm, listening to the gentle sounds of rustling leaves and bird song.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
His hammering heartbeats slowed down. Panic’s sharp claws gradually eased their hold on his guts. It became easier to breathe in and out as his chest muscles loosened.
“Spring, are you okay?” The seat beneath him dipped as Winnie settled herself next to him.“What’s wrong?”
His eyes flew open.
“I need to go home and check on the girls,” he blurted.
Winnie looked puzzled.“Why? Did Kelsey text you that something happened?”
“No,” Spring admitted, his hands still shaking as he reached for his lunchbox and unzipped it.“I haven’t heardanythingfrom her. I need to make sure she’s following the timetable I left her.”
“Wait a minute, are you serious? You wrote up a timetable? Forsummer vacation?” Winnie asked, her eyes wide.
Spring scowled.“That’s what Kelsey said. Now look, you and Nick might be okay with her loosey-goosey approach with Kegan, but my girlsneed—”
Winnie interrupted him.“You’ve got to be kidding me!” She laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Spring demanded.
