Page 21 of Daddy's Little Farmer

“No, but I guarantee that bitch didn’t do the dirty work, so the sheriff can hopefully find the driver and charge him with something. Hell, that dog had to have done some damage to the vehicle, so the sheriff has something to go on. Maybe the guy could inform the sheriff about whose plan it was to kill the dog.”

“We’ll see, I’ll think of something.”

They pulled up and parked. He looked toward the house and saw it was dark.

“She’ll be with the animals. Most likely Charlie.”

Rafael looked toward the barn. “Let’s go.”

They walked through the main barn and around the corner to see Mara on top of Charlie, petting him and crying.

Rafael sighed.

“I’m going to get her inside and bathed.”

Tony nodded. “I’ll go talk to Buck.”

He waited for Tony to leave before walking up to the horse and setting a hand on Mara’s leg.

“Hi, honey. How are you doing?”

“It hurts so bad,” she cried. “I’m dying. It’s like I can’t take a breath, and the pain is never-ending.”

“No, baby. It maybe feels like it. I swear to you that every passing day will get a little easier.”

“I’ll never forget him,” she said.

“Of course not.” He stood and rubbed her leg, trying to give her as much comfort as he could. “Tell me when you’re ready, and I’ll take you inside.”

“Can I stay here tonight?”

He shook his head. “No, baby. But I promise I’ll hold you as long as you want me to.”

She wiped her eyes and looked at him. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Even if it’s hours and hours?”

“Baby, I’ll hold you for days and weeks if that’s what you need.”

She sat up and patted Charlie’s neck before looking at him and holding her arms out. That simple gesture made his heart feel ten times its regular size and made him fall a little more in love with her.

Rafael carried her inside the house and up the stairs. He started the shower and turned to take her clothes off. It concerned him when she just stood there docile as he got her naked.

“Do you need me in there with you, baby?”

She looked around. “No. I think I’m okay.”

“All right. I’ll get your nightgown for you. Call out if you need me. I’ll be here.”

She nodded.

He walked out of the bathroom, down to her bedroom, and stared at her mattress. Fuck. She wouldn’t be able to sleep in that bed, maybe not ever. He reminded himself it wouldn’t matter in a few days because she’d be with him.

Rafael started to grab for the white nightgown when he saw his hands. Hell. They were black with dirt and blood, and the open sores on his hands oozed some kind of liquid.

He smiled. His friends would never believe it if they saw him there at that moment. There was no way he’d be touching her gown with his hands the way they were. Back in the bathroom, he scrubbed his hands, hissing when he touched all the blisters.

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