For the next few minutes, Alex held her breath while Buck dug through the debris on his stomach to reach Jenny and extricate her leg. When he got her free, she howled in pain. He comforted her the best he could while he swam with her to the shore with her arms clutched around his neck.
“Alex?” he called to her. “Phone the ranch and tell someone to come in one of the vans stat! We need to get her to the hospital pronto. She’s injured her ankle.”
Alex did his bidding, and in a minute she got Tracy who said she’d be right there. By the time the van arrived, Buck had brought Jenny to shore and carried her up the incline to the road leading into the building site.
While Johnny climbed in front with his mom, Alex sat on the bench in back next to a dripping wet Buck and Jenny. Jenny lay across them with a pinched white face, still hugging Buck for dear life. Alex supported her legs. Her right cowboy boot was still on, but the left boot was missing and her ankle looked swollen.
“It hurts so much, Nana.”
“I know it does, brave girl, but thanks to Buck nothing worse has happened. The doctor will fix you up in no time.”
“Try to lie still,” Buck encouraged her. “You know something?” He kissed her cheek. “The next time I see that beaver, I’m going to have to teach him how to build a better dam so there won’t be any holes in it.”
Jenny actually giggled before she started crying again. Before long they reached the hospital in Jackson.
An attendant brought over a gurney and Jenny was wheeled inside a cubicle. Soon she was getting fed through an IV and given something for her pain. The nurse changed her out of her wet clothes and put her in a hospital gown. After the initial examination by the doctor, she was taken to X-ray. Alex had to stay behind. The wait seemed to take forever until she was wheeled back in.
“Nana—”
“I’m right here, sweetheart.” Alex sat on a chair next to her and held the hand that was free of the IV. “I love you and I think you were very courageous while you waited for Buck to rescue you.”
“It doesn’t hurt as much now. Where is he?” She sounded sleepy.
Alex had no idea. “I’m sure he’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” Her eyes closed.
Tracy peeked around the curtain and came in. Alex got up and they hugged. “Thank you for bringing the van so fast.”
“I’m just glad I was available to help. Are you all right, Alex?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, but we wouldn’t be without Buck. I don’t know what I would have done if we’d been alone. That darling son of yours yelled loud enough for us to hear him. You never saw anyone react to an emergency so fast or expertly as Buck.”
“As we both know, that comes from his military training.”
“Where is he?”
“He took Johnny with him to give the information to triage. He knew Jenny wouldn’t want you to leave her side.”
“Oh, Tracy, I’m so thankful for him,” she whispered. “When I think what could have happened...”
“But it didn’t.”
She wiped her eyes. “He just dived into that water—wallet, cell phone, watch and all.”
“Those things are replaceable.”
“I know, b-but he needs a change of clothes.” Alex felt jittery.
“I’ve already talked to Carson. He’ll be here shortly with some things for him and Jenny.”
“Oh, thank you. I only remembered now that we left the horses at the building site.”
“Ross is taking care of that. You just concentrate on Jenny. I’m going to slip out and see if they’ve arrived yet. I’ll be right back.”
Alex sat back down and clung to Jenny’s hand. In a minute the doctor came in. “Mrs. Wilson? Your granddaughter has an ankle fracture. The good news is, the fracture isn’t badly displaced, so we’ll splint her instead of applying a cast. That way it will allow more room for swelling, should it continue.”
“Thank goodness it’s not too serious.”
“We’ll keep her overnight. You can ask for a cot to be brought into the room for you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“In the morning we’ll send her home with crutches. Keep her leg elevated as much as possible for the first twenty-four hours. Apply cold compresses at intervals if necessary. She can take ibuprofen and return to normal activity, except for sports, in another day.”
“How long will she have to use crutches?”
“We’ll want to see her in outpatient in ten days, and then we can tell you better. Most ankle injuries take four to eight weeks to heal. She’s young, so she’ll probably recover faster than an adult.”
“I surely hope so.”
“You’re welcome to stay while we splint her.”
“Thank you so much.”
Twenty minutes later Jenny was ready to be wheeled out of the E.R. and into a private room. When Alex emerged from the cubicle, Buck was there waiting for them, dressed in dry jeans and a T-shirt. No one had ever looked so wonderful to her. His compassionate eyes sought hers before he leaned over Jenny and kissed her forehead.
“Hey, Red—”
Alex watched her granddaughter’s eyelids flutter open. “Buck—”
“How are you doing?”
Tears filled her eyes. “The doctor says I can’t go home until tomorrow. Will you stay with me and Nana?”
“What do you think?”
Jenny sniffed, struggling to hold back from crying. Alex was struggling herself.
The orderlies wheeled Jenny along until they arrived at her room and transported her to the bed. A different nurse came in to elevate her leg and make her comfortable.
After she left, Jenny asked, “Is Johnny here?”
“No,” Buck answered. “His parents took him home, but we’ll see him tomorrow.”
“I wish he didn’t have to go. The accident was my fault.”
“You know what? I always did want to walk on top of the dam so I could watch that beaver. It’s a good thing I didn’t. Otherwise I’d have fallen right through it.” A wan smile came and went. “Was it fun before you got trapped?”
“No. It was scary. Is my cowboy boot still stuck in the dam?”
“Afraid so. We’ll get you another pair. I think you’re the bravest girl I’ve ever known.”
“Thanks, but I shouldn’t have done it. Johnny told me not to. Thanks for saving me.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“You looked like a fish coming through the water.”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
“But I wasn’t scared, because I knew it was you.” Buck could do no wrong.
The nurse chose that moment to come in again with some apple juice for Jenny. She looked at Alex. “We’re serving dinner now, if she’s hungry. I can bring it out to you.”
“I can’t believe it’s that late already. Thank you—that sounds great.”
The nurse returned a few minutes later with two trays. Buck arranged the chairs on both sides of the bed and the three of them settled down to eat.
“Does this roll look good? You can have it. I’ll get myself another one,” Buck said.
Jenny nodded and bit into it. “It tastes nummy. Thanks.”
Her granddaughter might not have wanted it if Alex had been the one to offer it. She could see the hero worship in Jenny’s eyes as she gazed at Buck.
“Do you know something?” he said. “You don’t look sick. In fact, you don’t look like you should be in the hospital.”
“You were in a hospital, too, huh?”
“Yes. That’s where I met Ross and Carson.”
“I know. Did you have to be in it a long time?”
“Five weeks.”
Jenny made a face. “I get to
go home tomorrow.”
“That’ll make Johnny happy.”
“Buck, do you have a girlfriend? Johnny says you have lots of them.”
Alex almost choked on her roast beef.
“Yes. In fact, I’ve got a special one now.”
His answer trapped Alex’s lungs in a vise.
“You do? What’s her name?”
“Red.”
Jenny giggled, but after she quieted down, she looked at him with a serious expression. “Are you ever going to get married? Johnny heard his parents say you’re getting old.”
“Johnny shouldn’t repeat everything he hears,” Alex muttered, but no one was listening because Buck had broken into laughter. It rebounded off the hospital room walls.
“You’re never too old to get married, Jenny.”
“My daddy got married at seventeen.”
“Sometimes you meet the right woman fast. Sometimes it takes a long time to meet her.”
“Johnny asked me how old Frank was. I told him fifty-five. He said that’s as old as his Grandpa Baretta.”
Alex couldn’t take any more of this conversation. “Jenny? Are you hungry for anything more?”
“No.”
“In that case, I’m going to lower the head of your bed so you can relax and go to sleep. You’ve had a big day and need your rest so that ankle will get better faster.”
“The doctor said I have to see him in ten days. That means we’ll have to stay at the ranch longer.”
Sensing where this conversation was headed, Alex said, “We’ll talk about all that tomorrow. Say good-night to Buck.”
“But I thought he was going to stay with us tonight.”
“He can’t, sweetheart.” She spoke before Buck could. “He has work to do back at the ranch. Carson and Ross are relying on him.”
Buck put his tray on the cart and leaned over her. “I’ll be here in the morning to drive you home. How does that sound?”
“Good,” she answered in a tremulous voice, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for saving me. I love you.”
No-o. The words had slipped out from Jenny’s heart. She’d never said them to Frank. Alex groaned because she had the strongest conviction she never would.
“I love you, too. You’re my best girl, remember?”
“Yes.”
He stood. “Good night, Alex. Call if you need anything.” She watched his tall form disappear out the door, leaving her in utter turmoil.
Chapter Six
“There she is in a wheelchair!”
His pulse raced. And there’s Alex.
Buck had prevailed on Tracy to let Johnny come in the van with him. She said she was afraid to take advantage of him, but he insisted Johnny was a joy to be around, which was the truth. He could also cheer Jenny up better than anyone. And from a selfish standpoint, Johnny would provide the buffer Buck needed to keep his emotional distance from Alex.
He understood why she wanted to marry Frank. In addition to love and affection, he could offer her stability. He was a bank vice president and could provide her with a nice home, spending money and all the benefits that came with marriage.
When Jenny had brought up the question of a girlfriend last night, he realized he was hardly in a position to ask anyone to marry him. He was a vet with a disease, only a small nest egg and a job that might turn into a lifelong career as a rancher, but these were early days. He lived upstairs in the ranch house. Had no place of his own.
It was a good life, but hardly one he could share with a woman who wanted and needed all the things a man like Frank could supply.
That time he’d spent in the hospital with the guys had given him focus and a reason to get on with life. He’d been doing fine since coming to Wyoming. There’d been women. There’d be more of them as soon as Alex and Jenny went back to Sacramento.
Only four more days left to endure this fatal attraction. He could handle that. Stick to groups. Keep Johnny close. Not spend any alone time with her. Then she’d be out of sight. Hopefully, after a while, she’d be out of mind. It terrified him that he might not be able to forget her.
Buck pulled up to the entrance. “Johnny? If you’ll open the back door, I’ll lift Jenny inside.”
“Okay.” The boy jumped down from the passenger side, while Buck got out of the van and went around.
“Good morning, you two.”
Both females flashed him a smile. “Thanks for coming to get me, Buck.”
“I couldn’t wait.” It was the truth. He’d spent a restless night anticipating the morning to come.
Johnny looked at the splint. “Does it hurt?”
“A little bit.”
“Come on. Let’s get you inside so we can all go home.”
The nurse steadied the wheelchair for Buck while he picked Jenny up and placed her on the seat. Alex climbed in back next to Jenny, carrying a plastic bag that probably held her other clothes. He fastened Jenny’s seat belt, taking care with her injured ankle. There was nothing he’d rather do than fasten her nana’s, but that was out of the question.
Johnny climbed in and sat opposite them while Buck shut the door. Getting behind the wheel, he called out, “Who wants doughnuts?”
“I do!” the kids shouted at once.
He headed for the drive-through and picked up half a dozen doughnuts before they drove back to the ranch. The conversation between the kids was hilarious and prevented Buck from having to say anything. By the time he pulled up to the cabin, the doughnuts had been eaten and everyone was happy to go inside.
Jenny looped her arms around Buck’s neck as he carried her into the living room and laid her down on the couch. Alex propped up her leg and head with pillows. Johnny brought in the crutches and tried using them. After a couple of failures, he got the knack.
“Hey—this is easy.”
“Jenny can try it tomorrow. Today she needs to rest.”
Johnny laid the crutches on one of the chairs and walked over to her. “Do you want to watch cartoons or movies?”
“Can you get that Hopalong DVD?”
“Yeah! I’ll go get it right now.”
“I’ll drive you,” Buck volunteered. It was time to get out of there before he started enjoying himself too much.
“Can’t you stay?”
He’d expected that from Jenny. “I’ll come back with lunch for everybody. Right now, I’ve got to get some work done.”
“Okay, but hurry.”
“You know I will. Come on, Johnny.”
He left without looking at Alex, but she followed him out to the van. “Wait—”
Buck rolled down the window. “What’s wrong? If there’s something you need, say the word and I’ll get it.”
“I know you will. That’s what’s wrong.” Her incredible blue eyes searched his as if she were looking for something, but couldn’t find it. “I’m afraid the Forrester family has turned into the ranch’s biggest liability. My debt to you and your partners has gotten out of hand with her hospitalization, for which I refuse to let your insurance pay. I have insurance.
“Last night while Jenny was asleep, I looked into flights leaving for Salt Lake. Jenny and I are taking the 10:00 a.m. flight out tomorrow morning and we’ll make a connecting flight to Sacramento. Frank is meeting us at the airport.”
Buck froze. “Your vacation isn’t over until Saturday morning. Yesterday you told me you planned to stay the whole week.”
She moistened her lips—out of nerves, he presumed. “It ended when she got hurt. I thought if I gave you a heads-up, you’d be able to plan accordingly. We’ll need to be at the airport by eight-thirty.”
“Alex—”
“The accident disrupted everyone,” she interrupted. “We’re leaving so this c
abin can go to the next lucky child on your list who’ll be able to enjoy everything this dude ranch has to offer.”
What she was saying didn’t sound like the Alex he’d come to know. The woman who’d been so grateful for the opportunity afforded them that she’d expressed her gratitude constantly.
Something else was behind her sudden decision to go back to California and she was using Jenny’s accident as the excuse. Frank hadn’t wanted her to come in the first place. If he was behind this, she’d never tell Buck.
“Alex—tomorrow she’ll be able to get around on her crutches. We have several cars here for the benefit of the guests. You can keep one and use it to take her places. That way you won’t be inconveniencing anyone.”
“I can’t ask that.”
“Not even for your granddaughter?” Maybe if he played on her guilt. “Jenny hasn’t begun to see everything yet. We’ve planned an overnight campout at Secret Lake, Johnny’s favorite spot. The drive is beautiful, and she’ll be able to sit on a lounge chair and fish to her heart’s content.”
Alex rubbed her temples, leading him to believe she had a headache. He would be amazed if she didn’t have one after yesterday’s trauma. “I appreciate what you’re saying and it all sounds amazing, but I’ve already made plane reservations.”
He bit down so hard, he almost severed his tongue. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I—I need to ask something else of you.” Her voice faltered. “It’ll be the last favor, I promise.”
Buck struggled to keep his emotions under some semblance of control. “What is it?”
Her chest rose and fell as if what she was about to say was causing her great distress. “I would rather you didn’t bring us lunch. Jenny thinks you’re her personal genie. We had a good breakfast at the hospital. When we’re hungry again, I’ll walk to the ranch house and get us some food. Johnny will stay with her long enough for that.”
Before Buck could get another word out, she hurried up the steps into the cabin and shut the door.
He closed his eyes tightly for a minute before starting the engine. Halfway to the ranch house, he felt something stir at his side.
Damn if it wasn’t Johnny, who’d been sitting next to him quietly the whole time, listening. Buck slammed on the brakes. When he looked over, he saw tears in the boy’s soulful brown eyes. “I don’t want Jenny to leave.”
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