Page 58 of Sunrise & Serenity

“It was a good ride,” I say. “A tough bull. I managed to hang on for the full eight seconds. But I made a mistake coming off. I twisted one way while the bull twisted the other, and I landed badly. Before I could regain my balance, he turned back, knocked me off my feet, and stepped on my shoulder.”

She sucks in a breath through her teeth. “That’s horrible.”

“Wouldn’t recommend it.”

At the gate, I stop and lean against it. When Cozy nudges me, I rub her nose. “At first, all I felt was heat. Then my arm wouldn’t move. Ended up with a traumatic shoulder dislocation, tore my rotator cuff, and did some nerve damage.”

Sage winces, and I look down at the reins in my hand, running them through my fingers. “Spent more than a few nights searching the internet for a quick fix.”

“And what did you find?”

I shake my head. “Exactly what the doctor told me. Surgery, rehab, regaining strength. No quick fixes, unfortunately.”

“But it’s healed now, right? Can you go back?”

“I can lift hay bales, ride horses, rope cattle. But getting the strength back wasn’t enough. Strength isn’t the same as reliability. Sudden, high-torque movements can set it off. In the ring, you don’t get a second chance. If your body doesn’t respond instantly, you’re dead weight on the back of a one-ton living steam train hell-bent on killing you.”

Or worse, permanently maiming. I’d rather quit than risk losing more than I already have. If I can’t ride, rope, or work cattle, I’m next to useless, even on the ranch.

She searches my face. “I can’t imagine how hard it must be to give up everything you’ve worked for.”

A spot behind my ribs throbs painfully. “Harder than I thought it’d be.”

It’s tempting to tell her about the offers Rick is working on. About the possibility that I can reclaim at least part of the life I built for myself. But I shove the urge down. There’s no point mentioning it to anyone until I can confirm there’s something worthwhile.

I scrub my hand over my face. “I’m gonna get back out and do some work. You okay to put Cozy back in her stall?”

She blinks at my abrupt change of topic, but merely nods. “I think I’ve got the hang of it now.”

My nod is a little too abrupt. But talking about that shit’s got me needing to move. “Good. I’ll find you later.”

I pass her Cozy’s reins, then swing the gate open, holding it for her as they pass through to return to the barn.

Only when she glances over her shoulder and catches me still watching do I turn and go.

“How are Sage’s riding lessons going?” Quinn asks around a mouthful of food.

It’s a couple of hours later, and I’m in the kitchen, grabbing a late lunch with him and Chance. Dad usually leaves sandwich fixings in the fridge for us before heading out to keep himself busy around the ranch. These days, that could mean anything from exercising one of our retired horses to repairing tack, with old country music playing in the background.

The three of us had barely sat down with our sandwiches when Quinn started in. Now he swallows his bite. “You going to answer me?”

“She’s trying. Can’t ask for more than that.”

“The two of you seem a lot friendlier than before.” He breaks into a smirk.

I pin him with a stare. “That a bad thing?”

He exchanges a knowing look with Chance, then leans back in his chair. “I know you got used to buckle bunnies climbing all over you on the circuit, but even you must have noticed that she’s damn hot.”

I shift my jaw to loosen it. “I’m not blind. What’s your point?”

“You’re telling me you’re spending all this time with a woman as attractive and nice as Sage, and you’re not the slightest bit tempted?” Chance butts in.

“No,” I lie through my teeth. “And don’t either of you get ideas. She’s here to do a job, not to fend off cowboys who can’t keep their dicks in their pants.”

Chance laughs while Quinn holds up his hands. “Hey, I never said anything about my dick.”

“Looks like I dodged a conversation bullet.” Taryn wanders in with a grin on her face and drops into an empty seat opposite Chance and Quinn, planting her elbows on the table. “I want to invite Sage to the Silver Pony this Friday. Can you come with us?”