28. Chapter 28
Chapter twenty-eight
Parker
I’m unsaddling Buster when Ryder walks through the opening of the barn. His expression is perplexed, which isn’t unusual for him.
“Everything okay?”
“Fine.” He runs a hand over his beard. “Think I got one with a broken leg. Need to get Doc out here.”
“Old man still working?” I chuckle.
“He keeps threatening to retire.” Ryder lifts his hat from his head and swipes his brow with his forearm. “Think those threats may be turning into reality soon. His ass can barely climb in the gator.”
I carry the saddle to the tack room and drop it in its place. “I think Cooper is throwing some steaks on the grill. You should hang back.”
His eyes cast out to the open field behind the pens. “Nah. I’ll probably turn in.”
I nod, knowing there’s no point in pushing. If Ryder doesn’t want to do something, no one is forcing him. Even his own mother.
“Try not to fuck up your other shoulder.” He pushes off the fence, a hint of a smile on his mouth as he leaves the barn.
I leave out the opposite end, heading up to Cooper’s cabin.
I’m almost to the porch when Laiken’s car pulls up in the drive.
I pause, waiting for her to climb out. She finally does, revealing her sensual curves in a pair of pale pink scrubs.
The same ones she wore this morning that made her ass look fantastic.
I actually got a hard-on during our session and I had to excuse myself to try to get him to calm down.
Last thing I wanted was for her to think I was lusting after her.
As her feet carry her across the grass, I smile, waiting for those pretty eyes to latch onto mine. To have that moment of connection. But they don’t. They dart away as her smile forces its way to the surface.
“Hey.”
“You okay?” I ask.
“Yeah.” She clears her throat, tugging down the sleeves of her jacket. “Long day.”
“I feel you. I helped Cooper attempt to break a colt today. It wasn’t pretty.” I turn for the step, motioning for her to follow me.
“Excuse me?” A soft gasp comes from behind me. “You can’t be on a horse, Parker. Dr. Whitaker hasn’t released you to be on the back of any animal.”
“Relax.” I peer at her scowl over my shoulder. “I only got bucked off once.”
Her eyes widen and I can’t help the laugh that bellows from my chest. She’s so serious. Such a rule follower. It’s fucking cute.
“Firefly,” I deadpan. “I didn’t get on a horse. I mean, I was there for moral support and to drive the truck if he needed the ER.”
Her eyes narrow. “That’s not funny.”
“It was kind of funny,” I tease, holding open the door for her. “You get all flushed when you’re mad.” As she walks by, I drop my head to be close to her ear. “You know what else that flush reminds me of?”
She stills, her breath hitching when I grin against the shell of her ear.
“There you are!” Ivy smiles, waving us into the kitchen. “Dinner is almost ready.”
I take off my hat and hang it on the rack as Laiken flashes me a look. One that is supposed to be a warning, but I see behind those baby blues. She remembers. And she misses it too.