“I guess.”
“You okay?” Doc already had his penlight, checking for issues.
“Not a scratch from tonight. Still have the stitches in my gut, but they’re fine.” He nodded toward his rigging shoulder. “It’s out again.”
“Good. You can’t take many more hits to your head. You know that.” Doc worked his magic, guiding Adam’s shoulder back into the socket.
Adam gritted his teeth, snorting relief when it fell into place. “I know. Still not wearing a helmet. I’ll get more hurt with it on. It throws off my balance.”
“I’m not going to preach at you, son. You know the risks. What’s got you so distracted anyway? New woman?”
He looked over his shoulder. Everyone else was packing up. “An old one, actually. Remember the barrel racer from six or seven years ago?”
“Pretty blonde. Crazy-eyed?”
“Yep, that one. Carly. She showed up with a five-year-old kid. Swears she’s mine.”
Doc shifted his weight. “Simple paternity test will answer that.”
“I know. It’s my next move. But if I do that in town, everyone will know.” He lowered his head. “Problem is, we had an argument at my place. She stormed out and left the little girl with me.”
“She coming back?”
“She better. She was in an accident. They called from the hospital. I’m taking care of her daughter until she does.”
Doc looked speechless. “I can’t believe you’re even here. Where’s the kid?”
“Squatch’s wife is looking after her. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I swear if I can just make it to the finals, I’m done with riding. I’m going to pay into that partnership with the livestock contractor.”
“Adam, that’s a risky investment.”
“I’ve got to do something. I love this sport, and running the feedstore isn’t going to make me happy. I can’t sit around in one place all week long. You know that.”
“You can use that medical degree and years of experience in this sport,” he said. “I’d hire you tomorrow, man. You have options. It’d take some time to get you certified, but you’d be on the payroll. And your experience and passion makes you the right guy to help these boys make good decisions when their health and dreams don’t align.”
“I’ve got a mess on my hands.”
“I’ll arrange the paternity test for you. No one else needs to know.”
“Thank you.”
Squatch ran through the door, carrying a red-faced Zan with huge tears in her eyes. Her little pink-and-white outfit was covered in dirt.
“What happened?” Adam leaped to his feet and took her from Squatch.
“Sorry, man. Darla said she looked away for a split second and she was gone. In all the ruckus after your ride, she went missing. Next thing I know, someone said she almost got trampled in the back here. I guess she was looking for you.”
He hitched her up on his hip. “Zan, you okay? Come on, girl. Where’s my cowgirl smile?”
She patted her mass of tangled curls. “My hat’s gone!”
Doc bent down on one knee. “Hey there, little one.” He pushed her hair from her face and put a cool compress on her forehead. “It’s okay. You’re okay.” He checked her arms and legs. “I don’t see any blood or anything, Adam. I think she’s just scared.”
“Are you scared?” Adam felt his own eyes moisten. “I’m right here.”
She touched his face with her hand, then gobbled back tears before pushing her face into his shoulder.
“I think she had a big day,” Doc said. He placed a comforting hand on Adam’s shoulder. “I have no idea how you rode tonight. You do have a lot on your plate. Let me know if I can help.”
