The Cowboy's Rules (Cowboys After Dark)

by Maggie Carpenter

  Marty, having dashed into the ring to catch Shelby, had handed the mare off to the groom, and running back in, stopped next to Chad and placed his hand on Chad’s shoulder.

  “How is she?” Marty asked anxiously.

  “In and out of consciousness,” Chad stammered, watching the paramedics place a collar around her neck.

  “I can’t believe it,” Randy muttered behind him.

  Turning around, Chad saw him standing with his hands on his hips and shaking his head. Moving quickly, Chad took him by the elbow and led him a few steps away from the fray.

  “Lend me your wedding ring,” Chad whispered, looking at him intently. “Quickly.”

  Immediately knowing why, Randy surreptitiously pulled it off his finger, and Chad, praying it would fit, slid it on the third finger of his left hand, then hurried back to Marty and the ongoing scene.

  “Marty, check Shelby and make sure she’s okay, then take her back to the ranch. Watch her though, and if you see anything call the Doc and have him come out.”

  “Will do,” Marty nodded.

  “And tell Hannah to get Cassie’s bag out of the truck and follow the ambulance to the hospital in your car,” Chad added.

  “Cassie will be okay. She’s tough,” Marty said, hoping to offer some reassurance.

  Chad nodded, and turned his attention back to the paramedics who had just finished loading Cassie on to the spine board.

  “I’m coming with you,” he announced.

  “And who are you, Sir?” one of the men asked.

  “Her husband,” he declared, and though the statement was a lie, to Chad it didn’t feel like one, and saying it out loud he realized that was exactly what he wanted to be.

  “Oh, sure no problem,” the paramedic quickly replied.

  As they carried Cassie from the ring, the hushed crowd broke into a smattering of applause, and Randy, heavy hearted, picked up her helmet before following them out.

  “Call me the minute…” he managed, as Cassie was being loaded into the ambulance.

  “Of course,” Chad replied.

  “I should have been more insistent,” he stammered, staring at the helmet, his eyes brimming with tears.

  “It wouldn’t have made any difference,” Chad assured him. “None of this was your fault, but how did you know?”

  “The watering truck. It made two sweeps in front of the wall, and I figured it would be too slippery for that kind of turn,” he muttered. “Dammit, I should have been tougher.”

  “We’re ready,” one of the paramedics called.

  “Randy, you know her, you know she would have ignored you no matter what you’d said,” Chad insisted, the sight of Randy’s tear-filled eyes making it almost impossible to fight his own, sweeping emotions. “I’ll call you,” he promised quickly, and clambered into the ambulance.

  “What can you tell me?” Chad asked the paramedic, finding a place to sit at Cassie’s side.

  “She has reactions in her feet and hands,” the man replied, as the siren started up and the vehicle began to move, “that’s a good sign, her blood pressure is elevated, but not dangerously so. You’ll get more information fairly soon. Doctors can get a lot of information quickly these days.”

  “I wish she’d wake up again,” Chad mumbled.

  “She will,” the stranger reassured him.

  Taking her hand, Chad held it gently, dropping his eyes to stare at her fingers. She was still wearing her gloves, and for some unfathomable reason, gazing at the dirt-covered leather, knowing that underneath was the finger still wearing the tape he’d applied the first day they’d met, the fear of losing her took hold, and he felt the hot tears spill from his eyes.

  “It’s okay, Sir,” the paramedic said warmly, touching his shoulder.

  “Can’t recall the last time I felt so…damn helpless,” Chad mumbled, swallowing hard.

  “It’s scary when someone we love gets hurt, when we don’t know what’s wrong or how bad it is.”

  “Yeah,” Chad muttered, when you love someone…

  He closed his eyes, fighting the rising tide of emotion, and unexpectedly the image of her standing in the kitchen danced across his mind. She was laughing and smiling, then a moment later he saw on the couch, drinking her Irish Coffee, telling him about her parents, how hard she had fought to have horses in her life.

  “We’re here, Sir.”

  The statement broke into his reverie, and lifting his head he saw the paramedic moving to the open the doors, realizing he hadn’t even felt the van come to a stop.

  “Would you get out first, please?” the man requested.

  Carefully placing Cassie’s hand back at her side, Chad moved cautiously forward, and stepping outside, was grateful for the cool, fresh air.

  “Chad!” a female voice called, and turning around he saw Hannah running towards him carrying Cassie’s bag.

  “Thanks, Hannah,” he said, welcoming the distraction as he took the large bag from her.

  “How is she?” Hannah asked, a deep, worried scowl crossing her brow.

  “We’ll know soon,” he replied, following the paramedics into the emergency room.

  He knew the small hospital well, and had great confidence in the staff and the care he knew Cassie would receive, but as he was instructed to remain in the waiting area, he was worried sick, and unable to sit down he began to pace.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Hannah asked softly, touching his arm.

  “Yes, there is,” he replied, and reaching into Cassie’s bag he retrieved her wallet. “Search through this and see if she has a medical insurance card.”

  “Will do,” she replied, and moved away, gingerly sitting on one of the comfortable sofas against the wall.

  Diving back into Cassie’s bag, searching for her phone, he was interrupted by a grey-haired man in a white coat.

  “Dr. Blackstone,” the man said, extending his hand. “I understand your wife had a bad accident?”

  “Yes,” Chad nodded. “She came off her horse.”

  “Please tell me the details. Was she wearing a helmet? If she was, is it cracked?”

  “Yes, she was wearing a helmet, and no, it wasn’t cracked. The ground was wet and soft, and the horse slipped and fell on its side, then rolled over her. It looked as if she got crunched,” he groaned, reliving the memory.

  “Thank you, that’s helpful. I’ll be back shortly,” the doctor promised, and disappeared behind the swinging doors through which Cassie had been taken.

  “I found it, Chad,” Hannah declared, holding up a plastic card.

  She’d been sitting quietly, the pain in her backside second to her mission, going through all the cards and bits of paper in Cassie’s wallet.

  “Thanks. Do me a favor and take it over there,” he said, pointing to a frosted glass, sliding window.

  Returning to his hunt for her phone, he finally found it in a zippered side compartment. Locating Troy’s number he walked outside to call him, hoping she had an international calling plan, and to his relief, when he touched the screen, the number rang.

  “Hello?”

  The male voice on the end of the line sounded groggy, and Chad realized it was probably late at night in London, something he’d not even considered.

  “Is this Troy Davidson?” he asked.

  “Yes, this is Troy,” the man replied. “Who is this, you’re on my sister’s phone.”

  “Troy, my name is Chad Douglas. I’m a close friend, and I’m afraid she’s had an accident.”

  “What? Cassandra did? What happened?”

  Chad relayed the details of the fall, answering all Troy’s questions as best he could.

  “We still don’t know the extent of her injuries,” Chad said diplomatically, “but she is unconscious.”

  “I’m flying in,” Troy announced immediately. “Exactly where is she?”

  “I’m sure she’ll be very glad to see you when she wakes up, but there is one more thing,” Chad remarked, feeling
the heat in his throat again. “Before she, uh, lost consciousness, she asked me to tell you something.”

  “She did?”

  “Yes, she said, tell Troy I’m sorry.”

  There was a pause, then Chad thought he heard the man make a strange sound.

  “If she wakes up before I get there, tell her I’m the one that’s sorry,” Troy stammered.

  “I will,” Chad promised, and gave him the details of the hospital, along with his own phone number and the address of the ranch. “Don’t worry about booking a hotel. I have plenty of room and I would very much like to have you stay with me.”

  “That’s very generous, thank you,” Troy replied. “I have access to private air travel and I’ll be on a jet in the next two hours. I’ll call you when I land.”

  As Chad clicked off the line, he thought Cassie’s brother sounded like a good guy, and it was obvious he cared for his sister very much.

  Moving across to Hannah, he sat down next to her, and she leaned her head against his arm.

  “This is dreadful,” she moaned. “Absolutely dreadful. Why did she do it? Why did she take such a big risk?”

  “Because she’s a very determined person and she wanted to win,” Chad sighed. “Randy told her not to make that turn, but she didn’t listen.”

  “I’m mad at her, and feel terrible all at the same time,” Hannah whimpered.

  Putting an arm around her, he hugged her warmly.

  “I understand,” he said gently. “I just want that doctor walk through those doors with good news.”

  “I know, me too,” Hannah agreed, “but I’m still mad at her. Mad and scared.”

  “Could you do me a favor?”

  “Anything,” Hannah replied.

  “There’s a cafeteria down that hallway. Could you get me a cup of coffee, white with two packs of sugar, and whatever you want,” he asked, handing her a ten dollar bill.

  “Sure,” she replied, standing up.

  “Thanks.”

  He watched her walk away, then dropped his head in his hands. He didn’t care about the coffee, he just wanted to be alone. He needed to catch his breath, to regroup, to say a silent prayer, and ready himself for whatever the doctor might tell him.

  A thousand thoughts were running through his mind, not the least of which was their declaration of love before she’d slipped into the never-never land of unconsciousness. It was almost unreal how she’d swept into his life and into his heart. She was spoiled and difficult, but he could sense it was superficial, like a wall she’d erected, but it was made of plasterboard not concrete. Her courage and tenacity was extraordinary, and her natural talent as both a rider and an artist had taken his breath away.

  You have to be okay, dammit, you have to be!

  “Mr. Douglas?”

  Chad lifted his head and saw the doctor standing in front of him.

  “Tell me,” he said, jumping to his feet.

  “She’ll be fine, but she is very lucky,” he smiled. “She has two fractured ribs, a badly sprained wrist and severe bruising on her right leg and both arms, but she’ll be okay. We want to keep her overnight for observation, but she’s awake and asking for you.”

  Hannah, hurrying towards them, carrying a cardboard tray with two cups of coffee and a sandwich wrapped in plastic, heard the doctor’s news.

  “She’s awake?” she gasped.

  “Yep,” Chad nodded, fighting his tears of relief and joy. “She’ll be fine. I’m gonna go see her. Call Marty and let him know.”

  “That’s wonderful,” she exclaimed. “Thank God!”

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Chad nodded, and followed the doctor through the swinging doors.

  “She’s already been put in a room,” the doctor informed him, “and she’s sedated so she’ll probably be groggy and ready to fall asleep after just a few minutes, but she needs to rest, so best to let her.”

  “Understood,” Chad nodded.

  “She’s in there,” the doctor gestured, stopping outside a door. “I’m glad I was able to give you positive news. If she has a good night we’ll probably discharge her tomorrow, but when you get her home she needs to stay in bed for at least a week.”

  “I’ll tie her to the bedpost if I have to,” Chad promised.

  “Hopefully it won’t come to that,” the doctor smiled. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Thank you, thank you so much,” Chad said, shaking his hand, then pushed through the door and walked quickly to her bedside.

  “Cassie, how are you? My poor, silly girl.”

  “Is Shelby okay?” she muttered, deep worry reflected in her eyes.

  “She seems to be fine. Marty took her back to the ranch. He’s keeping an eye on her and if he sees any swelling in her legs, or anything else, he’ll call in the vet.”

  “I feel so stupid,” she whimpered.

  Looking around, Chad saw a chair against the wall and pulled it over.

  “I’m so sorry, Chad,” she said woefully, tears starting. “Please tell Randy I’m sorry.”

  “Ssssh, stop,” he frowned, taking her hand. “Right now all you need is to rest and heal.”

  “I just wanted to win,” she continued.

  “I know sweetheart, it’s okay.”

  “Chad?”

  “Yes?”

  “I remember what I said, and I meant it,” she whispered.

  “Do you remember what I said back to you?” Chad asked, feeling the return of the uncomfortable heat in his throat

  “I thought maybe I was dreaming?”

  “No, girl, you weren’t dreamin’. I love you, dammit, I love you to pieces.”

  “Thank you, God,” she breathed.

  “You rest now,” he ordered, seeing the droopiness in her eyes. “The doc says you’re gonna be fine, but you’ve gotta rest.”

  “Please stay with me until I fall asleep?”

  “Sure I will, and Cassie, Troy’s flyin’ in. I phoned him. Gave him your message.”

  “You did?”

  “Yep, and he said, tell her I’m the one who’s sorry.”

  She frowned, and slowly moved her head back and forth.

  “It sounded like a good thing,” he said gently.

  “He’s wrong,” she breathed.

  “You rest, and you can tell him whatever you want when he gets here.”

  “Thank you, for so much,” she sighed, closing her eyes.

  “That’s my girl, you rest and get better.”

  He sat until she was sleeping, then walked slowly from the room. As he entered the waiting area he found Hannah standing by the windows.

  “Is she okay?” Hannah asked.

  “She will be,” Chad answered, filled with a heavy relief.

  “Do you want your coffee?” she queried, pointing to the cup on the side table next to where they’d been sitting.

  “No, I’ll make some when I get home.”

  “Good idea,” she remarked, managing a smile.

  Her face was white, and her puffy, red eyes told him she’d been crying.

  “Hannah, what about you? How are you doing?”

  “I keep seeing Shelby go down, and Cassie underneath…”

  She was unable to finish the sentence as a fresh set of tears washed down her face, and Chad pulled her into his arms and held her.

  “She’ll be fine, she will.”

  “I was so scared,” she confessed. “It’s horrible what happened.”

  “Why don’t you and Marty come over for dinner tonight,” he suggested.

  “I think that would be good,” she replied, finding solace in the thought of the three of them together. “Chad, I’m so very sorry about what I did. You’re so kind to let me stay with Marty. You’ve been amazing. Thank you.”

  “Hey, everyone makes mistakes. You’re welcome. Come on, let’s get home,” and with an arm around her shoulders, they walked out to the car.

  Driving back to the ranch, the image of Cassie lying in the hospital bed tort
ured him. Her headstrong ways could have killed her, and while he found her courage and tenacity admirable, she had crossed a line; her actions had been foolhardy and irresponsible, and like Hannah, he was angry.

  “Chad, you’re so quiet,” Hannah commented, as they turned up the driveway to the house.

  “It scared me too, Hannah,” he replied, and brought home just how much I love that girl.

  “It scared everyone, and I’m going to give her a piece of my mind when she’s better,” Hannah proclaimed.

  They had reached the house, and Hannah took over the wheel to drive Marty’s car back to his cabin.

  “Why don’t you guys come down around six or so,” he suggested.

  “Okay, I’ll tell Marty.”

  He watched her drive away, and walked into his house. Mickey leapt from the couch, bounding towards him, thrilled that he was home.

  “Hey fella,” Chad grinned, crouching down to pet him. “You hungry? You want some chow?”

  The dog barked his answer and ran towards the kitchen, but as Chad entered, he paused, spying the cane’s case sitting innocently on the center island. Mickey barked impatiently, and after shaking some kibble into his bowl, Chad returned his attention to the case.

  Flipping the latches up, he lifted the lid and ran his fingers across the smooth, polished wood. It had been many years since he’d danced it across the bottom of a very naughty young woman, and if there was ever a girl in need of a dose of serious discipline, it was Cassie.

  I want you here with me, Cassie, but some things have to change, and those changes my dearest, you have just made very, very obvious.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  After an early breakfast the following morning, Chad hurried to the barn to check on Shelby. Moving his hands down her legs he found no heat or swelling, and while physically the mare showed no signs of injury, Chad knew the sensitive thoroughbred would have been shaken up by the accident, just as much as her human counterparts.

  The evening before, when Hannah and Marty had joined him for dinner, they had each found comfort in the postmortem, the conversation relieving them of much of the stress from the day. Talking about the accident also served to remind them of the dangers of the sport, regardless of the skill of the jockey and the talent of the horse.