Page 66 of Taming the Wild Cowboy

“It’s fine.” Mac cut her off before sliding out of the booth. “We couldn’t have worked together anyway. Just don’t mess up my chances elsewhere.” And I won’t mess up yours.

That, she assumed, was understood.

Brooke’s phone rang as Mac started for the exit. She’d only made it a couple of yards before Brooke’s startled, “What? When?” stopped her in her tracks as the other diners turned their heads. Brooke pushed herself awkwardly out of the booth, holding the phone to her ear as Mac reversed course.

“Deaconess. Okay.” Her gaze met Mac’s and held as she continued to listen. “I understand. As soon as I can.” She let the hand with the phone drop to her side after ending the call, looking shell-shocked as she said, “Mike.”

“What happened?”

“Horse wreck at the arena. He’s being take to Deaconess in Bozeman.” Her voice shook as she spoke.

“I’ll drive.”

“No need.” Brooke pushed past her, ignoring the curious looks shooting their way. Mac set her jaw and followed her former friend out of the diner, taking her arm in a firm hold and pulling her to a stop once they reached the sidewalk.

“There’s every need, Brooke. I’m going to drive.”

*

“Change of plans.” Dylan and Jordan stopped at the gate as Trev followed them out of the house. “I’ve got to go to Bozeman.”

His brother and friend exchanged looks, then Dylan said, “Kind of sudden.”

“Mac is driving Brooke to the hospital there. I’m going to pick up Mac at Deaconess. She left her truck in Marietta, so if one of you guys can drive it home, I’d appreciate it. She left the keys at the Main Street Diner. All you’ve got to do is ask for them.”

Wade had already agreed to collect Raisin from the foreman’s house and bring her over to keep Barney the cat company.

“Who got hurt?” Dylan asked.

“Brooke’s fiancé.”

“Your Brooke?”

“That one,” Trev said shortly.

Jordan pushed back his hat, then seemed to change his mind about asking more questions. Dylan was already on his way out of the gate.

“I’ll explain later.” Once he had a better picture of Mike’s injury and Mac’s state of mind. She hadn’t sounded like a woman simply looking for a ride home. Mac, who tried so hard to need no one, had sounded like she very much needed him.

As he drove he wondered what he would encounter when he got to the hospital. Would Mac have rebuilt her defenses by that time? Or would she realize that she didn’t need to? That he wasn’t going to force her down a path she didn’t want to walk.

It felt like it took longer to find parking at the hospital than it did to drive from the ranch. Finally, he squeezed into a space that was meant for a compact, opened the passenger door, and climbed out onto the landscaping on that side.

Ticket me. I don’t care.

He strode to the emergency room entrance and then stood scanning the area as the doors closed behind him. Mac looked up, then got out of her chair and crossed the room to where he stood. She stopped a foot or so away, then walked straight into his arms, leaning against him.

“They let Brooke in to be with him before he goes to surgery. Ruptured spleen from a horse kick.”

Trev let his cheek rest briefly on top of her head, then took hold of her shoulders and held her away from him. “I can go at any time,” she said. “Mike’s parents will be here shortly to support Brooke.”

“Do you want to wait?” He wasn’t surprised when she nodded.

“At least until Brooke comes back out. I don’t want her to be alone.”

“Are you okay?”

“A little nerve-racked from the drive.”