Page 84 of Dusty Spur Ranch Cowboys

“Well, that’s one way to announce you’ve had enough!”

I barely have time to smile before part of the roof gives way.

A burning beam crashes onto the ground and skids straight toward me. I leap aside, catching myself against the trailer to stop from falling, and pain tears across my palm once my skin touches blistering metal.

“Damn it.”

I snatch my hand away, staring at the angry red burn spreading across my skin, but the line keeps moving and instinct has me reaching for another bucket before I’ve finished swearing.

A hand closes around my wrist and holds firm.

I tug once. It doesn’t budge.

“I’m fine.”

Emmett turns my hand over as though I haven’t spoken at all, and the muscles in his jaw tighten when he sees the blisters beginning to rise. “You call this fine?”

“I’ve had worse.”

“I believe you.” He lifts his eyes to mine. “I still don’t want you making it worse.”

“I’m helping.”

“You were helping.”

“I still can.”

“You can help by giving your hand a chance to stay attached.”

Despite the pain, I snort. “That feels dramatic.”

“I’ve got a kid. Drama’s my native language.” He raises his head. “Red!”

“What now?” Red shouts without turning around.

“I’m taking Arizona inside.”

Red finally glances our way, notices my hand, then looks toward Sadie standing on the porch wrapped in a blanket with soot streaking her face.

“I’ve got Sadie,” he says. “Go deal with your patient.”

“Patient?” I mutter.

Emmett slips the bucket from my other hand before I can protest, keeps hold of my wrist, and steers me away from the fire while another section of the trailer caves in behind us, sending sparks racing upward.

I twist around, ready to head straight back, but he steps in front of me before I make it two strides.

“If you’re thinking about running back over there, save us both the trouble and tell me now.”

“I was only⁠—”

“Nope.”

I throw my hands in the air in frustration. “You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“I’ve developed a talent for predicting trouble.”

I fold my arms, then remember one of them hurts. “You’ll throw your back out if you try carrying me.”