Page 60 of Playing With Love

“If I make it off Rebel in one piece, I’m changing my name to Annie Oakley.”

Chelsea smiled then sobered. “Thank you for saving her.”

“Honestly, I’d say no worries, I’m happy I could help. But I’ve never ridden a horse, so while I’m happy she’s safe I’m worried how I’m gonna get off.”

She wheeled around to face the barn. Tucker was running across the field. Logan was standing amid a gaggle of firefighters suited up and ready to tackle the fire. How I missed the sirens approaching could only be explained by my near-death experience. Now that I had my wits about me, the sound of sirens and the smell of smoke hit me. And there I was joking while Chelsea’s barn was burning and her animals were in danger.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t be blathering on,” I quickly told her. “All your animals are safe, right?”

“Yeah. Thanks to you. Rebel’s a cantankerous bitch on the best day. When she’s spooked she’s damn near impossible. I figured I’d get Trigger here on his way then help you get Rebel out. I didn’t think you’d climb on or I would’ve warned you she only likes me.”

The closer Tucker got, the more the look on his face became clearer.

He looked pissed.

As in really pissed.

“Ut. Oh. Tim looks unhappy.”

How did Chelsea know that name?

“Tim?”

“Sorry. I met him as Tim. I know his name’s Tucker but Tim’s the man who kept me safe until Matt could save me. Long story. I’ll tell you about it one day when Tucker doesn’t look like he’s ready to murder someone and my barn’s not on fire.”

Right.

Damn.

The fire.

It’s not that I forgot the building was on fire. The flames were licking the sky right in front of me. It was just that Chelsea was so calm.

Chelsea slowed us to a stop about a hundred yards out, swung her leg over her horse’s neck, and dismounted. If that was how you exited a horse, I was never getting down.

“Go on, Trigger,” she said and patted the gray horse’s bum. He slowly ambled in the opposite direction of the barn.

“What in the fuck were you thinking?” Tucker seethed on his approach. Rebel stepped back and shook her head.

“I swear I will kick your ass, Tucker Mitchell, if this horse bucks me off because of your bad attitude.”

“Bad attitude?” he yelled. “Are you shitting me?”

“Whoa, Rebel,” Chelsea cooed and pulled on the rope.

Tucker paid no mind to the agitated animal as he strode to the opposite side where Chelsea was standing, reached up, and plucked me off Rebel.

Well, that solved that.

When my feet were back on solid ground, I took a moment to thank the horse gods, gave Rebel a soft rub in thanks for not killing me, then I turned to Tucker.

“I’d thank you for helping me down but I’m pissed at you.”

“Why the hell are you pissed at me?”

“Maybe because you came stomping across the field scary-pissed-off yelling and spooking Rebel, putting my life in danger.”

“Woman, you put your life in danger running into a goddamn burning building.”