Page 48 of Return of the Rancher

Farris addressed his employee, who was alarmed, judging from the look on his face. “Tell the men thanks for searching. I really appreciate it.”

In the house, Farris scooped India into his arms again. “Mother,” he called out, hoping she wasn’t in her room.

Dottie came running, more of a rapid shuffle, really. “I thought you were in LA,” she said. Then she got a good look at India. “Oh, my goodness. What happened?”

“She took Daisy out for a ride. Something spooked the horse. India was thrown, and Daisy wandered back to the barn.” Farris kicked open the partially ajar bedroom door, India’s bedroom.

When he threw back the bedcovers, India protested. “No, no, no... The sheets are clean, and I’m so dirty.”

“Why does it matter?” he said.

Dottie touched his arm. “Easy, son.” She smiled at India. “The duvet can be dry-cleaned. We’ll put you on top and get a blanket. Okay, dear?”

India nodded.

Dottie smoothed the covers back in place. When Farris laid India gently on the bed, she winced and exhaled sharply.

Farris frowned. “Mother, help me ease her jeans down her legs. She fell on her hip.”

Dottie seemed shocked. “I’m not sure...”

India closed her eyes and sighed. “It’s fine. He’s seen it all anyway.”

When mother and son tackled the dusty denim, eventually pulling the jeans to India’s ankles, there was a unison gasp. From India, presumably because the maneuver hurt like hell. From Farris and Dottie, because from below India’s waist to halfway down her right leg, the skin was a dozen nasty shades of purple, mulberry and black.

Dottie put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, India. I am dreadfully sorry.”

“It’s my own fault,” India muttered. “Daisy had been so compliant... I wasn’t holding the reins tightly. A prairie dog spooked her, and I sailed through the air.”

Farris shared a wince with his mother. Good Lord. “You see her cheek? She hit her head on a rock, too,” he said. “I found the blood before I found India.”

India touched his hand, her eyes dark with discomfort. “I’m sorry, Farris. Sorry I scared you.”

He didn’t respond to that. He couldn’t. His entire focus was making sure she was okay. “Do you think you can handle a ride into town? We need to get you checked out.”

“Oh, no. Please,” India said. “All I want is to get cleaned up and have some dinner. Nothing is broken, I swear. My pride took the worst of the hit.”

Dottie frowned. “Your face might need stitches.”

“I wondered about that.” Farris pursed his lips. “But a butterfly bandage might do the trick. Show us you can move your arms and legs.”

India had never been so glad to see anyone as she had when Farris showed up. But now she wanted to be alone. To appease the two people staring at her with varying degrees of concern, she bent each arm and leg. “See? No permanent damage.”

Dottie seemed relieved. “But your head and your face, dear? I don’t want you to have a nasty scar.”

“I’ll medicate it. I’ll make an appointment for a follow-up. And keep an eye on it. But I don’t think I’m vain enough to let it bother me.”

Farris still stood there glaring, his arms folded over his chest. “You’ll need help getting cleaned up.”

It wasn’t a question. Farris was an overbearing male issuing an edict.

India bristled. “I most certainly do not.”

He glanced at Dottie. “Mother? Do you mind giving us a few minutes alone?”

Dottie’s mouth opened and closed, but she didn’t say a word. Her gaze went from Farris to India and back again. She nodded and scooted out of the room.

India groaned inwardly. She was hurting both physically and emotionally, and she wasn’t sure she had the fortitude to go up against the man who was her Achilles’ heel. Even so, it was up to her to get rid of him.

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