Chapter 76
LILY
In the morning, I wake alone in Mason's bed.
My body aches in the best possible way. I groan as I roll over, my muscles sore and my skin sensitive, reminding me of last night after we got home. Of Mason's hands, his mouth, the way he took me apart piece by piece and put me back together as something new—something his.
I stretch slowly, feeling the pull in my thighs, the tenderness between my legs.
He worked me over thoroughly, relentlessly, until I was boneless and shaking and completely wrung out.
I know he was in part trying to help me stop fretting about Turner.
Amazingly it worked. Then he held me while I fell asleep, his body wrapped around mine like a shield.
Now he's gone. He told me they’re planning to go after Kelly tonight, so I’m not surprised he’s left. If their planning means he’ll come back to me safe and sound, then I’m all for it.
I reach for my phone on the nightstand and check the time: 9:47 AM. Late.
There's a text waiting.
Mason Rivera
Had to meet with Jake and Luke early. Didn't want to wake you.
Stay at the cottage. I'll be back by noon.
I smile despite myself, imagining him typing that out—probably standing in the kitchen with coffee, trying to sound commanding while also being considerate.
I'm awake. And sore.
Your fault.
The reply comes almost immediately.
Mason Rivera
Good. Stay in bed.
I'll kiss it and make it better when I get back.
Heat floods through me at the promise in those words. I'm about to respond when my phone rings.
It’s an unknown number. Wes? I answer cautiously. "Hello?"
"Dr. Carter?" A woman's voice, strained and urgent. "This is Margaret Whitehorse, Lester’s wife. You came out last week to check on his mare, the one having trouble with her pregnancy?"
I sit up immediately, the fog of sleep gone. "Yes, of course. How can I help you?"
"She's in labor," Margaret says, her voice tight with worry. "But something's wrong. She's in distress and Lester is at a loss. He wanted me to call you, but the clinic said you aren’t in on the weekends, only Dr. Brennan's out on another call and there’s no one else available."
My mind shifts into professional mode instantly. "How's her breathing? Is she down or standing?"
"She's down. Breathing hard. Sweating. She’s been pushing for about twenty minutes."
Shit. Not good. I jump out of bed. "I'm on my way. Tell Lester to keep her calm. Don't let her thrash if you can help it. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
"Thank you," Margaret breathes. "Thank you so much."
I hang up and immediately call Mason.
He answers on the first ring. "Lily."
"I have an emergency call," I say, pulling on jeans. "Lester Whitehorse’s mare. She's in labor and having complications. I need to go."
There's a pause. "Where?"
"The Whitehorse property is about fifteen minutes from here, just off County Road 12."
"I'm coming with you."
"Mason—"
"I'm coming with you," he repeats, his voice harder now.
I take a breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "You're in the middle of planning with Jake and Luke. That’s more important right now than escorting me, isn’t it?”
“Nothing is more important than you, pretty girl,” he says, his voice raspy with emotion.
I breathe through the response it stirs in my heart. “Please, Mason. I’ll be fine. This is my job. It's what I do. The property isn't far, it's broad daylight, I know them, and I know the horse. It's a routine emergency call."
"Nothing about this situation is routine."
"The call is routine," I counter. "A mare in distress. That's my job, Mason. I can't let an animal come to harm just because Turner's watching."
Another pause. I can practically hear him thinking, calculating, weighing options. "Lily—"
"Mason." I soften my tone. "I know you're worried. I know what Turner said last night. But I can't live in a cage. I have to be able to do my job. This is a pregnant mare in distress. I'm not going to let her suffer because I'm scared."
The silence stretches. Finally, he exhales. "Fine. But I'm putting a tracker on your phone."
I blink. "What?"
"A tracker app. So I know where you are at all times. Just in case."
It's a compromise. A reasonable one, actually, and it means he's not going to fight me on this.
"Okay," I say. "I’m fine with that."
"I’ll do it now."
I frown. "Don’t you need my phone?"
He actually laughs.
I’m about to hang up when he calls my name. “Lily girl?”
“Yes?”
His voice drops, rough and possessive. "You call me the second you're done. The second. Understood?"
"Understood."
"I mean it."
"I know you do." I pull on my boots, phone tucked between my shoulder and ear. "I'll be careful. I promise."
He doesn't respond right away. Finally he says, "I'm trusting you."
The weight of those words settles over me. He's trusting me to take care of myself, to stay safe, to come back to him. "I know. I won't let you down."
"I love you, Lily girl."
I freeze, bent over zipping my boots up.
He chuckles. “Think about that while you’re on your call.”
And then he has the audacity to hang up.
I stare at my phone, my heart floating. He loves me.
A moment later, I get a text from him.
Mason Rivera
Tracker active.
Be safe. Come back to me quick.
Don’t you want to know if I love you?
Mason Rivera
Pretty girl, I already know.
That sure are you?
Mason Rivera
Of you? Yeah.
Huh.
Shaking off the Mason effect, I grab my veterinary bag from the corner of the bedroom, check that I have everything I need—gloves, lubricant, obstetric chains, antiseptic—and head out to my truck.
The morning is clear and bright, the kind of Montana day that makes everything feel possible. The ranch is quiet, and the horses are idling in the far field. I don't see Jake or Luke as I walk to my truck, which is probably for the best.
I slide behind the wheel, start the engine, and pull out onto the gravel drive.
County Road 12 is a straight shot east, cutting through open rangeland and scattered properties. The Whitehorse place is small—just a house, a barn, and a few acres of pasture. Lester is a good man who cares deeply about his animals.
I'll get there, help the mare, and be back at the ranch before Mason even finishes his meeting. He’ll get Kelly tonight, and then all this will be behind us, and we’ll only have good things ahead.
For one stupid moment I actually believe that.