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My eyes opened wide.
“The Blazing T is an equestrian rescue.”
I looked back out the window in time to see Smoke and Zeke ride over the crest and out of view.
“He takes in horses other people don’t want?”
“Simply put, yes.”
“I sense there’s a story there.”
She smiled. “I’ll tell you if you agree to eat something.” She picked up a plate of fruit, cheese, and bread and set it on the table in front of me.
Using my right hand, I picked up a strawberry and brought it to my mouth. “Mmm, this tastes really good.”
“We grow them here at the ranch.”
“Will wonders never cease,” I murmured, picking up a second. “What about the story?”
“Some owners are reluctant to give up their horses.”
“What does Smoke do, take them away?”
“Sometimes. If he or Mr. Zeke hear of abuse or neglect.”
While I couldn’t remember much of anything about Smoke or my own life, it didn’t surprise me to hear he’d step in if he thought an animal was in danger. Maybe he did that with people too.
“Mr. Smoke is a good man.”
“Yes,” I mumbled. “I agree.”
“It’s that time,” said Maureen, approaching with a syringe. After the headache I’d had last night and how long it took to go away, I no longer argued with her about giving me pain medicine.
“You have to stay in front of the pain,” she’d explained when it got so bad that she’d gone to the kitchen to fetch an ice pack she then held against my forehead.
“I think I’d like to go lie down in the bedroom for a bit.”
“Of course.” She helped me wheel the IV pole into the room, reattached and turned on the monitors, and asked if I wanted her to stay.
“I have this,” I told her, holding up the pager she’d given me.
“Shall I close these?” she asked, motioning to the blinds.
“Please.” I shut my eyes, waiting for her to leave. When I heard the door latch, I opened them and looked up at the ceiling.
I couldn’t explain it, but a bad feeling had settled over me when I saw Smoke riding away on the horse. Instead of the intense feelings of love I’d experienced since the first moment I looked into his eyes at the hospital, I felt irritated, even angry with him. He’d done nothing to warrant it.
* * *
It took a while, but I finally fell asleep. I don’t know how long it was before another nightmare jarred me awake. Instead of being about getting shot, in this one, Smoke and I were in a terrible row. I opened my eyes, and the man himself was sitting in a chair beside the bed, studying me. I sat up and pulled the bedclothes up to my neck.
“Another nightmare?” he asked.
I nodded, still unable to marry the man in front of me with the person in my dream.
“You’re trembling,” he said, reaching out to put his hand on my leg. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
