Page 108 of Take My Name

He nods once, speaking softly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Of course.” Every nerve cell in my body explodes with relief.

“I’m kinda surprised,” he says cautiously.

“Well…” I grin hesitantly. “You still owe me two dates.”

There’s so much I want to tell him, starting with how I’m still in love with him and that I’m not filing those divorce papers—assuming he’ll give me a second chance after our fight this morning. But that discussion can wait until he’s feeling better and stronger.

“Does this count as one?”

I chuckle, sniffing and clearing my throat. “Not a chance, cowboy.”

chapter nineteen

Warren

I’ve never felt moremy age than trying to get out of a hospital bed.

It’s not the first time I’ve had bruised ribs, probably won’t be the last, but it’s the first time a horse kicked me in the chest and knocked me on my ass.

My ego might be a little bruised too.

After I got a neurological exam, the doctor had me stay overnight to monitor my blood pressure and the trauma to my head. Luckily, no concussion, but I woke up in the middle of the night with it pounding, so they gave me some meds for it.

“Mom, I’m fine,” I insist for the hundredth time.

“You might be, but I’m not. You scared me to death, so I’m seein’ that my oldest son has everythin’ he needs.”

She hasn’t left the hospital and insists on fussing over me. Meanwhile, I’m dying to go home so I can be alone with Maisie since we haven’t had any alone time to talk. Mom and Aunt JoJo hogged me most of the evening, but we’ve been texting.

I was equally shocked and relieved to hear Maisie’s voicenext to me. Even more surprised she still wants the last two dates I owe her after our fight and signing those papers. But after she blamed herself, I made sure she knew this wasn’t on her. It’s mine for not taking my own advice about not being in the kick zone.

After she kept yawning, I told her to go home and sleep since the room they put me in only had a small couch. They would’ve brought in a cot, but she wouldn’t have been able to sleep well with the nurses constantly coming in and my mother asking me if I needed anything every five minutes.

“I need my own bed and a six-pack.”

And my wife next to me.

She tsks. “You can’t drink if you’re takin’ meds.”

I’d hardly consider Tylenol to be a big concern, but she’s probably right. I slept with ice packs on my ribs most of the night, so that’s helped with the pain, but I’m stiff and sore as shit. Hospital beds weren’t designed with larger men in mind.

I’m waiting for the nurse to return with my discharge papers and then I’m getting the hell out of here. The staff has been great, but I’m uncomfortable. I need a hot shower and clean clothes.

I’m also anxious about Lilith.

My memory’s still a little foggy on the events because it happened so fast, but it’s obvious she was in distress and scared, so I don’t fault her.

She shouldn’t have been allowed to go out on the trails. She needed more desensitization and training, so this is on me, and it’s now something we’re going to be assessing on a monthly basis. Thank goodness none of the guests got hurt or we’d be looking at an even bigger issue.

Colt finally found her, but she’s in rough shape. Dr. Warnerworked on her leg wound, but he’s concerned about infection and it getting into her bloodstream. For now, it’s a waiting game to see how she responds to the meds and if they can keep her stable and comfortable so she doesn’t bear weight on it.

“Hey, son.” Dad enters, handing Mom a bag. “How ya doin’?”

“Fine. Ready to go home.”

He wraps an arm around me, patting my shoulder. “Aunt JoJo’s at your house now, gettin’ it ready.”