“You’re looking for a permanent job?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She nodded. “Okay, Cody. You’ve got it. You’ll take your orders from either my foreman or me, but I’m going to put you in charge of the kids I hired today. They start Monday so you can have the rest of the weekend to get settled and look around. Did you bring your things with you?”
“They’re out in my truck.”
“Good. There’s an old cabin about two miles from here where you can stay. It’s not fancy, but you’ll have it to yourself.”
“Sounds fine.”
“Why don’t we head out to the stable and I’ll introduce you to Sherry. She can give you an idea of what you’ll be doing and tell you how to get to the cabin.”
Leaving his application on the desk, she headed out of the office. “Why did you decide to give up the rodeo circuit?”
He shrugged, twisting the brim of the faded Resistol in his hands. “I never planned on making a career out of it. It was just a way to make money until I finished junior college. I’d rather be working on a ranch.”
She saw Quinn as soon as they stepped out the back door. He and Duncan had spent the day unloading equipment and setting it up in her former bunkhouse. Now, he fell into step with them as they walked toward the barn.
“All done?”
“Yes.” She gestured to the young man. “Quinn, this is Cody Simmons. I hired him on permanently. Cody, this is my husband, Quinn McAllister.”
“Mr. McAllister.”
“Cody. Welcome aboard.” They shook hands.
Sherry had just finished with her last group for the day, and Lanie gladly turned Cody over to her. She was more tired mentally than physically, but at least the interviews and hiring had kept her mind off Jared.
He looked so tired when he picked Zack up that morning, his eyes red-rimmed and his hair tousled. It looked as though he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days, and the guilt of knowing she was the reason ate at her.
Earlier, all his attention had been focused on Zack. He’d barely spoken two words to her, and ignored Quinn completely. It was a miracle Zack hadn’t noticed the tension thickening the air, but he’d been too excited.
Her brow lowered at the thought of going through that again when he brought Zack home. Maybe she should find a way to talk to Jared alone.
“What’s the frown for?”
“Nothing. Just been a busy day.” She checked her watch. Jared had promised to have Zack home in time for supper, so they should be back soon.
Quinn reached over and brushed back a lock of hair that had escaped from her braid. “A day that didn’t start out too great, at that. Worrying about it won’t help, you know.”
“Can you read my mind, now?”
“I don’t have to. It’s all over your face.” He smiled as he traced the spot between her eyes with his thumb, smoothing out the frown line. “Lanie, last night was great. You don’t have to feel guilty for enjoying yourself. If he can’t handle it, it’s his problem.”
“Can’t you put yourself in his place, Quinn, try to understand what he’s feeling?”
“No,” he said quietly. “Because if I were in his place I’d have convinced you to marry me years ago. No other man would get anywhere near you.”
Her gaze shifted to the back of the stable where Sherry was showing Cody the door leading to Gator’s pasture. “I know. But you and Jared are two different people.” Her eyes met his. “Would you mind if I talked to him alone for a few minutes when they get here?”
“Why? There’s only one thing you can say that will make him feel better.”
She saw his jaw clench as she hesitated, but it relaxed when she slowly shook her head. “I can’t tell him what he wants to hear any more than I could tell you last night. But I’d still like to talk to him.”
“If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you.”
“Thanks.”
They both turned at the sound of Jared’s truck on the drive. He pulled to a stop in front of the stable, stepping out before lifting Zack to the ground. The little boy ran across the space between them, practically climbing Quinn’s leg in his excitement.
“Dad! Guess what? Mr. Robinson’s mule got caught in a barbed wire fence and when he tried to get it loose it almost bit him and he said ‘Damnitall’ real loud.” The words tumbled out so fast they ran together.
Quinn laughed. “Did you get him all fixed up?”
“Yep. Jared wouldn’t let me get in the stall ‘cause the mule was too mean, but I got to hand him stuff.” He shifted his attention to Lanie. “Can I go see the puppies now?”
“Sure.” She smiled at her son. He looked so cute in his red, western-style shirt and jeans. “But don’t bother Sherry. She’s busy right now. And don’t go anywhere else. Just stay with the pups, okay?”
“Okay.” He darted inside the stable, already calling the puppies.
When she glanced back at Jared, he was standing in the same spot, his gaze fixed on her. She tried to make her smile reassuring. “Do you have time to check Kadia for me? I think she’s fine, but I’d rather be safe.”
He shot Quinn a fast look before answering. “Probably a good idea.”
“They’re still in the brood mare barn.” When she turned in that direction, he followed her.
* * * * *
Quinn watched them go, trying to stifle the tension that filled him. He hated seeing them together, hated the jealousy that burned inside his stomach every time he thought about Harper touching her. Why couldn’t Lanie see that what she felt for the man stemmed from obligation and guilt when it was so clear to him?
The couple had almost reached the brood mare barn when hysterical barking impinged on Quinn’s attention. Annoyed, he glanced into the corral, and abruptly, his blood turned to ice.
Zack was standing frozen twenty feet from the stable door, a pup clutched tightly in his arms. Facing him was two thousand pounds of enraged bull. The only thing keeping the animal from charging was the small mother dog between them. Barking furiously, she nipped the bull’s nose, but Quinn knew it was only a matter of seconds before Gator ran her over.
“Zack!” His son’s name ripped out of him. Heart in his throat, Quinn ignored the white-hot stab of pain in his thigh as he vaulted the fence. Lanie’s terrified scream followed him as he raced across the pasture, praying harder than he’d ever prayed in his life.
Too far. Oh, God, it was too far. He’d never reach him in time. Even as he put on an adrenaline-enhanced burst of speed, the bull lowered his head. A bellow blistered the air as the animal shook its wicked horns, its beady eyes fixed on Zack. Flicking the dog away as though it were nothing more than a pesky fly, the bull charged.
Time slowed to a crawl as he sprinted toward his son, fear lending him strength in spite of the odds. The bull had only half the distance to cover that Quinn had.
Suddenly, a blur of movement flashed between Zack and the bull. Yells rent the corral as Cody Simmons, the young man Lanie had just hired, waved his arms and diverted Gator’s attention.
The bull slowed, his head swinging from Cody to Zack, but it was all the time Quinn needed. Blood thundered in his ears, drowning all the other noise as he scooped Zack off the ground. Without stopping, he cut sharply left and dived through the stable door, rolling to protect Zack with his own body.
They had barely quit moving when Cody pounded through the door behind them, executing the same dive Quinn had, landing only an inch away before lunging to his knees to slam the door shut. A loud crash shook the building as the bull rammed it, his frustrated roars ringing off the walls.
Pushing himself into a sitting position, Quinn frantically ran his hands over Zack. “Are you okay?”
The little boy was crying, but he’d maintained his death grip on the pup. “I was scared.” He sniffed. “Gator was going to hurt Spot.”
Moisture filling his own eyes, Quinn wrapped his arms around Zack, rocking him gently. “I know,” he sooth
ed. “It’s okay.”
Cody stood and was dusting himself off when Lanie reached them, followed by Jared, Duncan and Sherry. She pushed the younger man aside in her efforts to get to Zack. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she lifted him from Quinn’s arms.
“Oh, God, oh, God,” she chanted, but her words faded into a buzzing drone as blackness threatened the edges of Quinn’s vision. Pain screamed from his abused thigh, and he clenched his jaw against the nausea boiling up in his stomach, refusing to give in to it. He had to get on his feet while everyone’s attention was on Zack.
Sweat darkened his shirt and dripped from his forehead as he struggled to rise. His left leg was useless, refusing to bear his weight, the pain blinding when he even tried.
Duncan appeared beside him, his face lined with anxiety. “We’ve got to get you to a doctor.”
“No.” Quinn’s teeth ground together with effort. “Just help me up.”
Cursing under his breath, Duncan moved to Quinn’s left side. “Let me do all the work. You hang on and balance yourself with your other leg.”
Once he was erect, Quinn released Duncan, swaying until he managed to lean weakly against the wall. He checked the group around Zack to make sure no one had noticed and met a pair of dark brown eyes watching him. Cody was frowning, but he kept his mouth shut, and that was all Quinn cared about at the moment. His gaze found Lanie and Zack, and he forced himself to focus on her words instead of the pain. Jared was trying to calm her, but to no avail.
“I said kill him. If you won’t, I’ll go get the gun and do it myself.” Her glare could have formed ice crystals on the stalls.
“Lanie, he’s a bull. He was only doing what instinct told him to do. Why don’t you sell him to one of the rodeos?”
“And let him maim someone else, or even worse? No.” She shook her head violently. “I should have done this weeks ago. I’m taking Zack in the house. When I get him settled down, I want to know exactly how something like this could happen.”
She marched out of the barn still holding Zack in her arms, and everyone but Duncan and Cody followed her.
Cody took a step closer. “Hey, man. You okay?”
“I’m fine.” The blackness was closing in again and he was desperately afraid he would pass out.
“No, he’s not.” Duncan contradicted him. “Can you help me get him to the house and upstairs?”
“No problem.”
They stood on each side of him and wrapped one of his arms around their shoulders. “Front door,” he gritted. If he had to be carried like an invalid, he damn well didn’t want Lanie or Harper to see it.
They had made it to the stable door when Sherry returned. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in Quinn’s appearance and her mouth opened. It closed again when Duncan shook his head. “Not a word. Can you go hold the front door for us?”
The trip across the yard and up the stairs seemed to last a lifetime to Quinn. Every movement sent a new wave of torment over him.
Sherry left them at the bedroom and Quinn closed his eyes in relief as they lowered him to the bed.
“Let’s get these clothes off so I can check the damage.”
Quinn opened his eyes to gaze at Duncan. “I suppose you’re going to tell me what an idiot I am.”
His friend pried a boot off before answering. “No. You didn’t have a choice, and in your place, I’d have done the same thing.”
Quinn shifted his head so he could see Cody. “Thank you. If you hadn’t distracted that bull, Zack would be dead.”
The sandy-haired man shrugged. “When you ride the critters as much as I have, dealing with them gets to be second nature.”
“Regardless, you’ve got a job for life.”
Cody grinned. “Thanks, but I’m kind of hoping to own a ranch like this one someday. Until then, I’m all yours.”
Duncan had finally gotten Quinn’s pants off and was making disgusted noises as he examined his thigh. “Damn it, you need to see a doctor. There’s no way to tell how much damage you’ve done without X-rays. It’s already swelling, red as blood, and the muscles are a solid knot.”
“No doctor.” He grimaced as Duncan continued to prod. “You can handle it.”
“That’s some scar,” Cody commented. “Car accident?”
“Yeah. But do me a favor and don’t mention this to anyone. Not even my wife.”
“You got it.” He settled his Resistol on his head. “Need me to do anything else?”
“No.” Duncan answered, his attention still on Quinn’s leg. “I’ll take it from here.”
“Guess I’ll go see if they need help getting rid of that bull, then.” He closed the door quietly behind him.
Duncan moved to the dresser and fished until he found two bottles in the top drawer. “Extra strength painreliever and two muscle relaxers,” he commented, dropping the pills into Quinn’s hand. “Best we can do since you won’t see the doctor. I’ll go get you some water, and a bag of ice for your leg.”
“Dunc?” He swallowed the pills dry, unable to wait for the small relief they offered. “Make sure Lanie isn’t in the kitchen first. And check on Zack for me.”
Anger flashed across Duncan’s face. “To hell with your wife. I’m not letting you lose that leg when we’ve worked so hard to save it. She can just wonder.” The sound of the door closing was a lot louder than it had been when Cody left.
* * * * *
“Eat your supper, sweetie. Spot doesn’t like green beans.” Lanie had been trying to coax Zack into putting the pup down since they’d returned to the house, but he wasn’t buying it. The little scamp knew she could refuse him nothing right now. Every time she thought about that bull bearing down on him, her knees went weak and she had to sit.
“Can Spot sleep with me tonight?”
“Daisy will miss him if we don’t take him back to the stable soon. You wouldn’t want her to be sad, would you?” Jared had checked the dog after disposing of Gator, and luckily she’d only been knocked out.
“I guess not.” Zack didn’t look too convinced.
“Besides,” she plucked a piece of straw from his hair. “You have to take a bath, and Spot would be lonesome all by himself.”
He sighed. “Okay. Can I take him back?”
“No. Sherry can do it for you.” She picked up the pup and handed it to her foreman.
The blonde was still visibly upset, blaming herself for not checking the door leading to the corral better. “It wasn’t your fault,” Lanie assured her again. “You had no way of knowing those weeds were caught in the threshold. It could have been me as easily as you.”
“But it wasn’t. I should have checked.” She cuddled the pup closer.
Lanie put a hand on her arm. “Go home and get some rest. You’ll feel better tomorrow.”
Sherry nodded. She was going out the back door when Duncan entered the kitchen from the front of the house. Lanie’s glance moved past him, then back to his face.
“Where’s Quinn?” For the first time, she realized how odd it was that he hadn’t followed them to the house.
“Upstairs.” Duncan’s reply was short and sharp.
Lanie hesitated. “Well, tell him supper is getting cold.”
“He’s not hungry.”
Ignoring her, he moved to the freezer and filled a plastic bag with ice, twisting the top into a knot to hold the contents.
“Is he okay?” A flutter of anxiety curled in her stomach.
“He’s just dandy.” This time he snarled at her.
Eyes narrowed, she watched his stiff back retreat toward the stairs.
“Mom, why is Duncan mad at you?”
She ruffled Zack’s hair. “I don’t know, sweetie. Maybe he’s still upset because you and your dad almost got hurt. All done eating?”
Zack nodded and she stood and held out her hand. “Then let’s get you in the tub.”
A low murmur of voices came from Quinn’s room when they went by, and she frowned. Something was going on,
and as soon as she got Zack settled, she was damn well going to find out exactly what.
Chapter Thirteen
Lanie waited a few seconds after Zack’s eyes drifted shut, then closed the book she’d been reading to him. The more she thought about Quinn’s failure to check on his son, the more concerned she became.
Standing, she brushed back the hair so like his father’s, and dropped a kiss on Zack’s forehead. He was going to be a handsome man when he was grown, just like Quinn. Tall, and strong and gorgeous. It made her heart ache a little to think of losing him to some woman, but she supposed all mothers felt that way. At least, thanks to Quinn and Cody, he’d have the chance to grow up. She’d already thanked Cody. Now it was time to see Quinn.
“Night, sweetie,” she whispered, pulling the blanket around Zack’s shoulders. “Love you.” Flipping off the light, she headed down the hall.
The voices from Quinn’s room had stopped, but there was a soft swish of movement from inside. She straightened her back and knocked firmly.
The sounds ceased. Abruptly, the door swung inward, Duncan blocking the opening with his body as he gazed stoically at her.
Lanie blinked. What was he still doing in there? She’d assumed Quinn would be alone. Her brow furrowed as she returned his stare, a kernel of anger growing in her stomach. She’d had about enough of this man’s rudeness.
“I want to see Quinn.”
Duncan’s expression didn’t change. “He’s busy.” With one hand he started to shut the door in her face.
Her anger exploded with volcanic force. Placing both hands on the door, she shoved with all her strength. The move caught Duncan off guard, and as he staggered back, Lanie pushed by him into the room.
“Too bad,” she snarled. “This is still my house and he’s still my husband. If you have a problem with that, you’re welcome to pack your bags and leave.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
“I will.” She turned to face the room. “Quinn?”
Her eyes widened in shock as she located him. “Oh, my God.”
He was lying on his back, the blankets pushed aside to bare his left leg. Eyes closed, his skin was a pasty white, beads of sweat glistening in the light.