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At the trailer, he tied Lucky, loosening the cinch on her saddle. “How ‘bout I track down Stump or Ditch, ask one of them to run into town and grab us some dinner? What do you want? Steak, maybe, or barbecue?”
“Mmm, that sounds nice, Hank, whatever’s easy.”
He smiled as he grabbed her saddle. “I’ll have them get us each a steak and baked potato and corn on the cob and maybe a salad. You like your steak medium rare?”
“Yeah,” she smiled, giving him a real smile, letting it creep up into her eyes. “That’ll be great, Hank, thanks.”
He had his hands full of saddle, but she longed to touch him, run her fingers over the cool crispness of his cotton shirt, feel the heat of muscle underneath. “I’ll just head in and lie down a minute, if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure, Daize, you go get settled.”
When she found the bunk made up double-wide, ready to sleep two, she exhaled and felt all the confused tension slide away. The knot she’d held inside for weeks turned liquid, pooling into a well of hope and happiness.
Her bags were set next to the bunk, so she drew the shades on the little windows closed, kicked her boots off, folded her jeans and dug into them for a fresh t-shirt. Climbing between the cool sheets of the flat wide bunk, she just lay there, feeling a cosy reassurance, growing happier than she’d been in weeks.
The sound of Lucky’s hooves tapping up the ramp roused her. Beneath the sheet, she turned on her side and doubled the pillow under her head, missing the piles of hair that had always caught Hank’s eye. She felt a twinge of sadness, a moment of regret for all that she’d lost, including him.
Maybe he feels sorry for me . . . Maybe he’s just being nice.
There was a thunk, and the shadowy bulk of Hank’s shoulders filled the doorway. His piney-sweat smell made her nipples tighten. She was shy about that, too.
He sat down on the foot of the bed, grabbing her ankle under the sheet.“Glad you got some rest,” he said, voice quiet and gentle. “You guys looked good in warm-ups. You’re riding real strong, Daisy—better than ever. You and Lucky are due for a fantastic weekend. I’m gonna go track us down some dinner, then I’ll be back, okay?”
She nodded. Unwilling to let him go, she sat up and clutched the sheet to her chest, wriggling close to him, brushing his bristly cheek with the back of her hand. “Thanks for everything, Hank. Feels real good, knowing I can count on you.”
“I just want what’s best for you, Daize,” he said gruffly.
******
After they’d feasted on steak, Hank took the trash to the dumpster then went for a shower. When he got back, the little light was on under the sink.
Beneath the sheets, Daisy roused.“Hey,” she said, voice velvet with sleep. The edges of her cheekbones and lips were etched in the low light, finer now that her hair was shorn.
“Alright if I climb in next to you?” he whispered, clicking the light off. Her voice washed over him, low and smooth, and he heard her smile.
“Wouldn’t want you anyplace else, Hank Gallagher,” she said, patting the bed beside her. When he was between the sheets, she draped an arm over his ribs and he snuggled his nose into her neck. She wiggled back against him, fitting her little butt against his groin.
“Missed you, Daisy,” he whispered. “So much. Sorry I’ve let you down.”
Her eyes sparked in the little bit of light that filtered in around the shade. “You don’t have to explain anything, Hank,” she said, patting his thigh. “I understand why you’ve been holding back. Means a lot, you feel so much for me.”
Drawing a finger down her nose, he whispered, “Makes me crazy, knowing I can’t keep bad things from happening, Daisy Mae. I kept trying to make things right for you, I just couldn’t get caught up.”
She put her lips on his, and he tasted her, soft and clean and sweet, like toothpaste. “Stuff happens, Hank. You can’t worry about always making it up to me. I feel better when you’re next to me. This is what I want. Just stay close, that’s all I ask. The rest can take care of itself, okay?”
He kissed her gently, letting his lips explore her face. “I think I can manage that, Daisy Mae.” Then he wrapped his arms around her thin ribs and pulled her on top of him. “In fact, I’m sure I can.”
*****
Next day, Daisy swung out of the saddle after her round. As Hank led the frisky paint gelding back to the trailer, he grabbed her hand.
“You and Lucky never looked better, Daize. Too bad Jillian’s in Dallas this week. I’d have liked to see her time up against yours,” he said. “Hasty’s gotta run yet, but I doubt she’ll beat your time. You two were on top of your game out there.”
Daisy squeezed his hand, and her eyes shimmered. “Felt real good, me and Lucky. He gives his best now that he knows he can trust me.”
Hank pulled her hand up to kiss the back of her palm. “There’s somebody elsel knows you trust him, too.” Grinning, he raised an eyebrow. “I can’t wait to give you my best.”
Daisy pulled back with a wide smile. “Ooo, yeah? Hope that happens real soon!”
