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“You sure you didn’t sprain it or anything?” Tyler asked. “I know a lot about those, so I could help.”
“Meg, I am so sorry.” Morgan stood off to the side, his face pale.
“Okay, okay, boys. Stop fussing. I’m fine. Just help me up.”
Chet stood on one side of her and Tyler on the other. Between them she popped up off the ground like a rag doll.
“Whoa! Sheesh, you two. Settle down.”
She was making light of things, but Chet saw in the furrow of her brow that she did have pain. It also was clear as she walked over to a hay bale to sit down that she favored her right leg a bit.
“I really don’t mind taking a look,” Chet offered again.
“And I am really going to respectfully decline.” She looked up at the three men now standing over her. “Ya’ll look like three mother hens. I told you I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”
“Meg, I have EMT training and Tyler is a physical trainer for a professional baseball player. We can be helpful.”
She looked up at Chet and narrowed her eyes. “And I am a trained firefighter with EMT training as well.Andit’s my leg so I am more than capable of making sure it’s okay.”
Chapter Thirteen
Tyler and Morganbacked away, hands in the air as if to surrender. Chet just stood there staring at her.
“What?” Meg already regretted her outburst. Convinced Chet would question her about it, she leaned forward to rub her ankle a bit as well as avoid eye contact.
“We honestly just want to help you, Meg.”
She closed her eyes and took a breath. For so long, she’d trained herself to be Meg against the world. Unfortunately, she was beginning to see how much that caused her to not only reject help, but also not receive kindness in its purest form.
She sat back up and looked at him. “I know. I’m sorry.” She stood and took a couple steps. “It honestly didn’t feel great to get knocked over by a hay bale via the ankle, but I am truly okay. Let’s go finish this thing. We are almost done.”
He nodded but his facial expression said he didn’t entirely believe her. His eyes searched hers for more, so she turned and headed back to the table to look at the design.
They finished the hay maze without any more mishaps and with little talking. Focused on getting the design right, and with muscles starting to fatigue, each one of them was content to do whatever it took to get the work done.
“This looks amazing, you guys!” Hannah came over just as Tyler was placing the last hay bale.
“Thanks. It’s Meg’s design,” Morgan offered.
“You’re the best.” Hannah came over and hugged Meg.
“No problem. How else can we help?” In all honesty, she wanted nothing more than to go home, shower, and stretch. Her muscles would be screaming at her tomorrow, but if there was still work to do, she’d stay to the end.
“You’re good. The booth builders are finishing up, and unless you want to go help Baylee and the others finalize decorations, you’re free to go.”
Meg looked at the tables strewn with fabric, ribbons, glitter, glue guns, and pumpkins, and cringed. Crafts were not her thing. “Um. I’m good.”
The three guys did the same as they backed up. “We can start cleaning up for you, Hannah. Take down worktables and stuff,” Chet offered.
“Yes. That.” Morgan turned and almost sprinted away.
Tyler laughed. “I guess it’s clear crafts aren’t our thing, Hannah. But I’m with Chet. We’ll help you get this placed cleaned up.” He headed in the same direction Morgan had.
Hannah hugged Meg and Chet and said good-bye.
“Are we on for tomorrow’s run?” Chet asked. “Or do you need to take a rest day with that ankle?”
Although a small part of her hated feeling weak, having Chet concerned for her was…nice.
