Page 22 of Wrangling Her Heart
“Let me help you, sweetheart. Put your arms around my neck.”
“I’ll get you all muddy.”
“It’s okay. I’m due for a bath this week,” he chuckled.
Tillie reached up to brush the hair out of her face, but her fingers got stuck in a clump of mud. She groaned and shook her hand, flinging little blobs of wet earth across Rex’s coat. “I must look a fright.”
“You still look beautiful.”
Tillie looked up at him, her green eyes opening wide. He cupped her face in his hands and used his thumbs to brush away the dirt that clung to her cheeks. “I’d kiss you if we...”
“Here ya go, Rex!” Petunia tossed down a rope, hitting Rex on the back.
Tillie let out a light laugh. Rex hesitantly let go of Tillie and grabbed the rope, securing it around his waist.
“Tie the other end to the saddle horn,” he called to Petunia.
He shifted his weight to the back of his heels and reached for Tillie’s hand, guiding it to rest around his neck. Carefully, he slid his arm under her knees and hoisted her up against his chest. He stood in one motion, gently rocking Tillie in his arms.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Just my pride. Nothing’s bruised.”
Soon the slack on the rope tightened as the horse moved forward and Rex allowed the rope to guide his climb upwards. The horse’s hooves scrabbled for purchase as they made their way up the steep embankment. Rex dug his heels into the wet earth, feeling it give way beneath him, but he held on tight to the precious cargo in his arms.
Once he could see the top of the embankment, he put Tillie down and scrambled up next to her.
“That certainly was something,” Petunia said.
Rex’s eyes narrowed with concern as he studied Tillie’s flushed face. “I think we should get you to the doctor.”
Tillie rolled over and pushed herself to a standing position. She took one step and then danced on her toes. “Really, I’m fine,” she protested weakly. “It is nothing more than a sprain.”
Rex whistled for his horse, who trotted over. Lifting Tillie in his arms, he carefully settled her on the saddle. “Sprain or no, you should rest.” Tillie opened her mouth, likely to protest, butRex cut her off. “No arguments, Tillie.”
He untied the rope from around his waist and unhooked it from the saddle horn. As he coiled the rope, he noticed Petunia move to the other side of the horse to say something to Tillie.
Tillie nodded and wiped a tear from her eye.
“What’s this about?” Rex asked as he draped the coiled rope back around the saddle horn.
“I guess I hurt more than I thought,” Tillie said. “I’m ready to go home now.”
“I’ll let Annamae and Sawyer know you are taking her to town to see Doc.”
“Thank you, Pet,” Rex said. “I owe you one.”
“Yes, thank you,” Tillie mumbled.
“You don’t owe me anything.” Petunia watched them for a moment, hands on her hips, before she grumbled under her breath and turned away. She moved to her own horse, throwing one last concerned glance at Tillie before she kicked her horse into motion.
Rex swung up behind her, wrapping one arm securely around her waist. “Are you comfortable?”
“As comfortable as I can be,” Tillie replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a deep breath, Rex spurred his horse gently, and they began trotting along the muddy path leading out of the woods. Tillie stiffened in his arms, her body pressing closer into him as she attempted to find some warmth.
“You can relax,” Rex murmured, his breath caressing her ear.
