Page 167 of My Cowboy Freedom
“I still don’t understand.”
Rock took my good arm and helped me to stand.
“I get to go back to the Rocking C?”
The skin around Rock’s eyes crinkled with soft affection. “You didn’t think I’d let you go to jail for something I did, did you?”
“Wasn’t sure you’d have a choice.”
“Youdidn’t do anything wrong.” Declan eyed my soft cast like he was professionally interested in it. “Did they say anything about your arm?”
“Clean break of the ulna.”
He winced. “Ow.”
“It could have been both bones,” I say. “Or it could have shattered.”
“That’s one way to look at it.” Declan stepped back to let Rock pass. “You’re a glass-half-full kind of guy, huh?”
I looked into Rock’s eyes for the truth. “I really get to go home?”
“Yeah, babe,” he said. “You really do.”
He helped me get into the wheelchair they brought for me and once I was rolling toward the exit, I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by my good fortune.
Maybe I’m not a glass-half-full kind of guy.
But my cup ran over the day I met Rock.
My cup was still spilling and spilling and spilling.
And the joy I felt seemed to be contagious, because Declan was smiling, and Andi was smiling. Even the boss was smiling.
The two of us are level with each other, being wheeled along the hallway.
Chandler by Declan. Me by the orderly.
I’m still not sure I’m awake.
I had a ton of questions.
Ryder helped the boss into Elena’s car, and then he helped Elena. Andi took the passenger seat of Declan’s SUV. Rock and I got into the back seat. Maisy jumped into the cargo area behind us. She hung her head over the seat back, resting her muzzle on Rock’s shoulder.
Unlike Elena’s compact car, Rock fit in Declan’s pretty well.
“Cut me some slack,” I said, because I was still sort of high, “and explain why everybody is all nice now.”
Rock laughed lightly. “Iwas always nice.”
“Me too,” said Andi.
“Me three,” said the Doc.
“We’re all nice, except the boss.” Rock shrugged.
“He was nice when I was a kid,” I offered.
“Me too,” said Andi.
