Corralled (33 page)

Hank looked at Lainie, sitting in a chair beside his bed, her

9 CORRALLED

fingers threaded through his. The poor woman was exhausted.

Dark circles beneath her eyes were the only color on her pale face.

But she still looked beautiful to him.

She smiled wanly. “See? If I order it, you still get to be the macho tough guy.”

The nurse snorted. “Cowboy, she’s definitely got your number.”

“Goes with the territory,” Lainie said. She and the nurse chatted in medical jargon that made no sense to him. But Hank was just content to listen to Lainie’s soft voice. Content that she was here by his side.

After the nurse left, Lainie stood. “I need to stretch my legs and use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

“Lainie, darlin’. That chair can’t be comfortable to sleep in.

You don’t have to stay here all night.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Then why did you ask me to stay tonight if you didn’t want me here?”

He froze. “What? I asked you?”

“You don’t remember?”

Hank shook his head.

Her eyes searched his. “What do you remember?”

“You bein’ with me in the ER. Coming up here. Then the nurses waking me all the damn time.”

“But nothing else you said?”

“Ah. No.”

Lainie smirked an I’ve- got- a- secret smile.

“What? Did I say something . . . ?” A niggling sense of unease arose. Shit, had he been spouting poetry or something? A man under the influence of narcotics couldn’t be held responsible for what he’d said, could he?

Fuck. Had he blurted out that he loved her? Body and soul?

Straight down to the bone?

That’d be embarrassing.

LORELEI JAMES 9

Wouldn’t it?

No. It’d be a relief. If she didn’t feel the same he could blame it on the drugs.

She leaned across the bed. “So, you’re not going to fuck me until I can’t walk when you’re feeling up to it? Because I was kinda looking forward to it.”

He attempted to keep it light. “Since I feel like dog shit, it might be a while.” After he said that, Hank held his breath, fearing she’d toss off something flip, like that Kyle could keep her motor running while Hank recovered.

Lainie let her lips cross his in a sweet, lingering glide. “Lucky for you I’m a patient woman, Hank Lawson.”

His eyes felt heavy, his body went limp, and then the lights went out.

9

The next morning, after Hank’s discharge, they waited in front of the hospital for Kyle to pick them up. Hank crawled in the rear of the quad cab and stretched out across the bench seat. Fuck. It didn’t matter if he lay down or sat up; his body hurt like a motherfucker.

“Hank, buddy, I’d ask how you’re doin’, but it’s obvious you ain’t back up to full speed yet.”

“How’s your arm?” Lainie asked Kyle.

“Fine. I iced it down last night. Put liniment on it this morning. Took some pills. I’ll wrap it tonight before I ride.”

“So you
are
riding tonight?”

“Of course. Different purse. More points.” Kyle stretched his arm across the back of the seat so Lainie could examine it. Then he looked at Hank. “I figured you’d take off for the ranch. So I’m joining up with Breck. He lost his traveling partner. Won’t be hitting the same rodeos we’d planned on, but going toward Oregon and Idaho.”

Hank almost protested— but his greedy side reminded him that with Kyle gone, he’d be with Lainie. At home. For a week.

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That alone was almost worth getting injured for.

He shifted slightly and stabbing pain shot through his midsection.

The rest of the drive to the rodeo grounds was quiet. Hank was starting to relax and lose consciousness as the throbbing in his chest abated and the pain pill kicked in. Doors opened and closed.

“Take care, Hank. You’re a lucky bastard.”

“I know.”

“I’ll keep in touch.”

The last thing he heard was Lainie saying, “I’ll help you pack.”

9

Outside the door to the camper, Kyle said, “Thanks for the offer, but I’m already packed up.”

“Maybe I just want to talk to you in private.”

Lainie glanced at the duffel bag and Kyle’s equipment bag. She jammed her hands in her pockets. “You’re ditching us for Breck, huh?”

“His traveling partner left yesterday, so it’s actually great timing.”

“Breck seems like a good guy.”

“He is.”

Her stomach roiled when she saw the wariness on Kyle’s face.

“I won’t ask you not to go.”

“I know. Which is why I’m goin’,” he said softly.

She’d been a fool to believe no one would get hurt in this situation. “I’ll be rooting for you.”

“I appreciate it. I hope my luck holds.”

“It will. You’re a great bull rider.”

A ghost of a smile appeared and vanished. “Don’t give me those sad puppy- dog eyes, Lainie. We knew it’d end. It just happened sooner than we expected.”

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Lainie had no response.

“Hank will heal faster at home in Muddy Gap. Especially with you taking care of him. He’s a great guy, but I don’t need to tell you that.”

“Kyle, I didn’t mean—”

He held up his hand, halting her excuse. “I know. You didn’t want to choose. But you have. I accept that. I’ll admit to feeling a bit glum, as I’d hoped it’d be me. But to be honest, Hank is the best guy I know. You’re the best woman I know, so in my mind, you and Hank are the best match.”

She swallowed, determined not to cry.

“Don’t worry. I won’t be an ass to you or Hank, or blab to anyone about how we spent Cowboy Christmas. It’ll stay our secret, because, sugar, I don’t have a single regret.”

“Me either.”

“When I see you at CRA events, I won’t make it awkward—”

“You won’t see me at CRA events,” she blurted. “Or at EBS

events. Or at any events.”

His eyes clouded with confusion, then sharpened with suspicion. “What are you talking about?”

Her shoulders slumped against the camper. “I’m switching to an administrative position with Lariat. Full- time. I can quit my part- time EMT job. No more weekends on the road. To be honest, it isn’t as glamorous as I imagined.”

Kyle frowned and she backpedaled.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love the people part of my job. But all I see is the airport or the inside of my car, another hotel room, and the medical room.”

“And you just realized this?”

“Maybe. This constant traveling opened my eyes. Showed me what my dad went through in his quest to be the number one bull

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rider in the world. Made me appreciate my mother’s point of view.”

She inhaled and let out a sigh. “She’s off base on a lot of things, but she was right about this. I’m getting the short end of the stick working half- time for Lariat. It’d be easier to be on the road full-time or not at all. I’m choosing not at all.

“It’s another reason why this worked for us. We’re at a crossroads in our lives. You, switching to the CRA. Hank, trying to decide if he wants to do the bullfighting gig full- time. Me, realizing I don’t want my life to be work and sleep.”

“Does Hank know about your job change?”

She shook her head. “I’d planned to tell you both at the same time. But since you’re moving on, I figured you deserved to know the truth.”

Kyle scratched his goatee. “I’m surprised, but not completely.

I’d wondered about your change of heart from a big ‘no’ to throwing yourself into our threesome idea. Was the thought that you wouldn’t have to face either of us afterward why you agreed at the last minute?”

“Yes.”

Silence.

Lainie tried to remember why she thought this scenario would be an easy, fun fling.

“Hey.” Kyle touched her cheek. “No regrets, remember? It’s all good, Lainie. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

She looked at him. No anger or sadness lingered on his face.

Just acceptance. “You are a great man, Kyle Gilchrist. Someday you’ll find a woman who appreciates everything about you.”

“I already did. But the problem is, she’s in love with my best friend.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Take care of yourself, Mel. I’ll see you around.”

He walked away and didn’t look back.

LORELEI JAMES 9

9

Lainie set the GPS. Eight hours’ travel time. At least she was making the drive during the day, so she could enjoy a little of the scenery.

At first Hank flat- out refused to sleep in the camper. She’d dealt with enough belligerent cowboys that she wasn’t cowed by his behavior.

When Hank realized Lainie wasn’t bluffing about dragging his ass back to the hospital if he didn’t fall in line, he shuffled into the camper. Making sure his cell phone was within reach, as well as a bottle of water and a barf bucket, she tucked him in with a kiss.

Then she hit the road.

At the halfway point she topped off the tank, checked on her patient— still out— and took a bathroom break. After being in the constant company of Hank and Kyle, she found her own company didn’t thrill her. She was lonely. How Tanna did this by herself week in, week out boggled her mind.

Dusk teased the sky when she started up the long driveway to the Lawson ranch. Abe had the cab door open almost before she’d parked. “Thanks for driving him home. How’s he doin’?”

“Still asleep. Which is the best thing for him, although he’ll tell you he’s just fine.”

“How are you?”

She hadn’t expected that. “I’m okay. But watching him take that horn to the chest and the hoof to the back of the head about did me in.”

“I can imagine.”

“Is Celia around?”

Abe shook his head. “She’ll be back the day after tomorrow.”

“Who’s been helping you with the stuff that needs doing around here?”

“Me, myself, and I. We’re a good team.” Abe grinned.

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Lainie grinned back at him, because he reminded her so much of Hank. “I’d like to tag along tomorrow morning and help out, if that’s all right.”

“That ain’t necessary; you’ve already done enough.”

“Hank will be crashed all day, and I’m not the greatest at figuring out what to do with free time. So be warned: If you don’t take me along to see the daily grind of a Wyoming cattle rancher, I’ll find something else to occupy myself. Like rearranging your closets and cupboards. Fun stuff like that.”

Abe measured her. “Hank don’t get away with nothin’ with you, does he?”

“Nope.”

“He’s always needed a good woman to keep him in line.” He jerked his chin toward the camper. “How’s about we get the patient inside?”

Hank walked inside mostly on his own. He took a pain pill, took a leak, crawled into his own bed, and was out for the night.

9

The next day, between times of obsessively checking on Hank, Lainie hung out with Abe. Oddly enough, she never felt restless.

She certainly never felt bored. She was completely relaxed. More content than she’d been in a long time.

So the cell phone call from Doc Dusty should’ve come as no surprise. Lariat had added three last- minute venues with the second tier of the EBS circuit: a two- day event in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, a one- night event in River Bend, Texas, and a two- day event in Salt Lake City. Since he’d sent everyone on vacation, Dusty was desperate for her to fill in as a Lariat representative.

It was damn difficult for Lainie not to feel resentment— even when she could’ve said no. But that was why Doc had called her; he knew she wouldn’t turn him down.

So much for the remaining week of her vacation time. First LORELEI JAMES 9

thing in the morning Abe would take her to Rawlins. She’d rent a car and drive to Denver. From there she’d fly to Santa Rosa, stay three nights, rent another car for the six- hour drive to River Bend, stay one night, and fly out the next afternoon to Salt Lake City for two nights. Then she’d fly to Colorado Springs, giving her one day before starting her new position with Lariat.

Why wasn’t she looking forward to any of it?

Because it means leaving Hank.

After a late- afternoon cattle check with Abe, Lainie peeped in Hank’s bedroom, expecting he’d still be asleep.

But he was showered, dressed in ragged sweats, and unpacking his equipment bag.

“What are you doing up? Get back in bed.”

“Nope.” He piled his dirty clothes into a laundry basket. “Two days of sleep cured me.”

“But—”

“Lainie. I’m fine.” He finally looked at her.

She had to admit he did look better. Color in his cheeks. Cleareyed. Belligerent posture.

“See? So tell me what you’ve been doin’.”

“I drove yesterday. Hung out with Abe today. Watched over you. That’s about it.”

“Bored out of your skull, were you?” he said dryly.

“Not even close. I did ranch stuff, which was fun. But I did miss you. Although you do argue less when you’re unconscious.”

“Ha, ha.”

“You hungry?”

“Starved.”

“Sit. I’ll bring you a tray.” She started for the door.

“Like hell.” Hank grabbed her hand and tugged her against his body. “Next time I’m in that bed you’ll be in it with me. And we won’t be sleeping.”

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“I wouldn’t want you to strain yourself.”

Hank gave her the naughty grin that turned her insides into pudding. “If I ain’t straining myself to please you between the sheets, then I’m doin’ something wrong.”

When she didn’t smile, he tipped her chin up. “Darlin’, I’m okay. I promise.”

“I’m glad.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

Lainie sighed and pressed the side of her face into his chest. “I hate to tell you, but Doc called me a couple hours ago. I have to leave tomorrow. A bunch of last- minute EBS events.” She braced herself for his demand that she stay as he played the sympathy card about his injury. But Hank didn’t.

He kissed the top of her head. “Well, we’d better make the most of tonight, hadn’t we?”

9

Abe vanished after supper.

Lainie supervised Hank while he stretched the kinks out, making sure he didn’t push himself too soon. He appreciated her concern and he took it easy with the exercises. But as soon as she was gone he’d have to figure out a way to work through the pain.