Lucky Cowboy

by Heatherly Bell

  “I can’t. What about my classroom?”

  “We can call Ellie’s mom,” Lincoln said. “She used to have a home daycare. She can come take over for the rest of the afternoon. I have to agree, you’re gettin’ checked out. Concussions are nothing to laugh about. I should know.”

  “Yes, I guess you do.” She sat up, earning glares from the men. “But I’m a trained EMT in case y’all forgot.”

  “Are you refusing medical care, young lady?” Brad turned to Lenny, hands on hips. “I think she’s refusing medical care.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “She’s refusing medical care!” Lenny slapped his thigh. “If that don’t beat all.”

  “But we have the Hummer. We can take you to the hospital in that,” Brad said. “I’ve been dying to take it for a spin.”

  “If you won’t go to the hospital with them, you’re goin’ with me,” Lincoln said. “But you’re goin’.”

  “Listen to your boyfriend, missy!” Brad chastised.

  “I’m not her boyfriend,” Lincoln interrupted.

  My, my, he certainly rushed to correct them. Sadie pushed away from Lincoln.

  “One of you two please check to see if my pupil size is equal and that my eyes are tracking or find me the mirror in my purse so I can do it myself.”

  “Let me do that.” Lincoln squatted in front of her, tipping her chin, staring into her eyes. She forced herself to follow his finger and not gaze right back into beautiful deep blues.

  “Well?” she asked.

  “Looks okay,” he said unhappily. “But it doesn’t tell the whole story.”

  “Exactly.” Sadie stood, noting no dizziness. She did, however, have a small headache, totally normal and expected. “The patient reports no nausea, eyesight fine, no dizziness.”

  “Well, I guess that’s it, then,” Brad said. “How about that beer, Len?’

  “You’re just going to let her go?” Lincoln yelled.

  “They have to, legally,” Sadie said. “Remember, I worked as an EMT. I know the drill. Don’t worry, if I start to feel worse, I’ll go.”

  The men were already crossing the street, headed over to the Shady Grind.

  “I’m callin’ Lenora,” Lincoln said, walking a few feet away, phone in hand.

  “Children,” Sadie began. “I should go home early today and take it easy. Remember that I love you all. Will you promise to behave for Ellie’s momma?”

  “Miss Sadie, what happened?” Bobby Joe asked. “I saw you get lassoed and then you just fell down. Did Mr. Carver do that?”

  “No, honey, he didn’t. It wasn’t his fault. I just…just…”

  “Fell down,” Lincoln completed her sentence. “And that’s all there is to it.”

  She felt a little swell of affection that Lincoln stepped in and covered for her. “I’ll be back Monday. Y’all have a good weekend and remember to read!”

  “Thank you for not dying,” Ellie sniffed.

  The kids, with the exception of the older boys, circled Sadie and wrapped their arms around her waist, giving her a big group hug. She felt it down to the seat of her soul. In a short time, everything had changed. These were her kids, and they cared about their teacher. She hated that they’d seen this, but they’d also witnessed yet another occasion in which the residents of Stone Ridge helped when and where needed and took care of each other. And that sometimes, though their teacher was a Class A klutz, everything worked out in the end.

  Assured that her children were safe with Ellie’s mother, Lenora, Sadie walked outside, headed to the parking lot with her purse and keys, where she found Lincoln standing in front of her truck, arms crossed. He wore his Stetson tipped, and his long legs were clad in Wranglers that did all kinds of bad-ass sexy cowboy things for him. She gulped.

  “Oh, hell no,” he said. “You are not driving.”

  “Don’t be silly.”

  She briefly considered explaining that she couldn’t be lusting after him if she was truly injured. Her brain would be sending repair signals to the rest of her body and she’d slow down to the most basic and necessary nervous system functions. She’d be unable to process too many thoughts, and certainly not ones about jumping him.

  Sexy times would be the last thing on her mind.

  “I’ll drive you home. You have to let me, Sadie. I’m worried.”

  Sadie let that knowledge slide into her, warm and sweet. Lincoln, worried about her. “That’s kind of you.”

  He frowned. “It’s not kind. It’s logic, pure and simple. You were out cold.”

  “Right.” She snapped to attention. “For how long?”

  She’d forgotten to ask that before making her final evaluation. She reached deep into her training. Granted, she hadn’t been a first responder in a while. But the length of time she’d have been out could have enormous significance. However, the facts of the matter were that if she’d been out for even five minutes, she probably wouldn’t be standing upright now and able to talk.

  “I didn’t time it but seemed like a few minutes.”

  “And were probably actually seconds. You know how that goes.” She considered that she’d woken to the fire department volunteers. “How fast did Lenny and Brad get here, anyway?”

  “Well, they were just across the street about to head into the Shady Grind.”

  She smiled, satisfied. “I feel even better now.”

  “Sadie—”

  She held up a palm. “Tell you what, I promise I’ll get Eve to stay the night with me. Concussion duty. Feel better?”

  “I’m still driving you home. Sorry, but I can’t just lasso a woman, give her a concussion, and be on my way.”

  My goodness, she was stupid. Of course, he would feel responsible even if it hadn’t been his idea and he’d argued against it. This was just Lincoln, being a stand-up guy.

  “Okay, drive me home. But this wasn’t your fault. If anything, consider it mine.”

  She followed him to his truck, and he opened the passenger door for her. He drove a nice, newer truck. A dark and sleek four-wheel drive, perfect for a man with long legs. Not so much for a small- to average-sized woman. She still drove her old green midsize pickup, low enough to be almost like driving a car. When she turned to ask for a stool to climb up, his hand was already outstretched.

  “Thank you,” she said and took his hand.

  A little zing went through her at the touch of his large, warm, callused hand. The moment was over far too quickly. She fastened her seat belt, and so did he, the sounds of the click loud in their mutual silence. Awkward.

  “I’m sorry,” Lincoln said as he pulled out from the parking lot. “I shouldn’t have let you talk me into that.”

  “Please, all my fault. You were just being accommodating.”

  “Regardless, I accept the blame.”

  She sighed. “No. I can’t let you do that.”

  “You can’t do anything about it.”

  “Right.”

  The men of Stone Ridge took responsibility for every one of their actions. Cared for their women. Lincoln seemed different to her from most of the eligible men in some ways. She got the feeling if he dated a woman, in private, the relationship would be more of a two-way street. The way she liked it. She didn’t need a man to take care of her. Her father taught her how to change a tire, unclog a sink, and change her oil. She’d spent college summers working for his construction company putting up drywall.

  She wanted honesty from a man, pure and simple. That, plus utter and complete loyalty.

  “You have plenty of choices,” her daddy said. “Marry a man because you love him, not because you need him.”

  Still her plan.

  Lincoln drove them to the outskirts of town to her cabin near Lupine Lake. A few years ago, her father purchased a few acres of land and later built rows of small cabins spaced close together which he rented out. They would fund his retirement since like so many in Stone Ridge, he’d been self-employed all his life. Many of the cab
ins were vacation rentals for those coming out to fish and hunt. Sadie rented a cabin, and Eve one not far from hers. Beau lived in a cabin a little farther toward the lake.

  Luckily, she’d tidied up this morning before leaving for school. If he got any ideas about coming inside, she certainly wouldn’t discourage him. The attention, even if misguided, felt pleasant. Warm. But she’d be sure that he felt no obligation to her because she refused to be a pity case. She wanted his attention to come because he’d noticed her. Noticed that even if she wasn’t as flashy and gorgeous as the women who followed rodeo cowboys, she possessed her own brand of charm and looks. She hoped.

  “Which one is yours again?” Lincoln said as he pulled into the area.

  “Right here.” She pointed to the cabin on the corner.

  Nothing special, just one large room with a bathroom and small kitchenette. A cute A-frame style cabin with a small wrap around porch and steps leading up to the front door. In a city, this would be the equivalent of a studio apartment.

  “I forgot how nice it is out here,” Lincoln said, leaning forward on the steering wheel, taking in the lake practically in her backyard.

  “Occasionally we get a coyote out here, and lots of deer.”

  “Yeah, I remember. Before we started working on the old church, I hadn’t seen Beau for a while. We’ve both been too busy, I guess.”

  Her brother worked with their father, so yes, he kept busy both in and out of Stone Ridge.

  She followed his gaze to the lakeside he admired, and when she turned to ask if he’d like to come inside, he’d already climbed out of the truck. Opening the door, she took his hand again to help her down this giant of a truck. Geez, there went that sizzle again. He caught her eye and for a moment, just a slice of time, she imagined that he’d felt it, too.

  “I’ll see you to the door,” Lincoln said.

  “I was just about to ask if you want to come inside. I’ve got cold beer in the fridge. I definitely owe you.” She went for lighthearted, breezy.

  Come in, or don’t, who cares?

  “Got a few things to take care of at the ranch first, but I’ll be back.”

  “Y-you will?” Her heart stuttered with spiraling hope.

  He stood behind her as she unlocked the door. Hands were shoved in his pockets. “I meant what I said. I’m worried, and you refused medical care. I’m coming back before long to see that you’re still okay.”

  “But—”

  He met her gaze. “I’m done arguin’ about this.”

  She sighed. “Fine.”

  If he wanted to come back, she should let him. He obviously felt guilty about the whole thing.

  Chapter 4

  After dropping Sadie off at her cabin, Lincoln headed back to the ranch to grab a sleeping bag, and quickly pack for an overnight. If the stubborn woman refused medical care, he’d be right in her face making sure that she didn’t die of a brain bleed on his watch.

  He caught up with Hank and let him know how far he’d gotten with the fence. His weekend plans slid swiftly into oblivion. He’d be a nurse all weekend. Guilt and worry flooded through him. If only she’d allowed him to take her to the hospital. He viciously threw his bag into the cab of the truck and climbed in the driver’s side, slamming the door.

  “What on earth?” Mima caught him as he headed out and waved at him to stop. “What is this mess?”

  He hung out the driver’s side window. “I went to the school. That’s what this mess is about. Hope you’re happy. I lassoed Sadie, she tripped, fell, and hurt her head. Now she’s concussed but refuses to go to the hospital.”

  “Lord have mercy! You were supposed to use the wood steer.”

  “That would have been the smart thing to do.” He adjusted his Stetson and scratched at his temple.

  He used to be smarter than this.

  “Why did you let this happen to poor, sweet Sadie?”

  “I didn’t let anything happen. She tripped over her own two feet.”

  “Oh, dear. She never has been the most graceful creature, bless her heart. Where on earth do you think you’ll stay? She has a one-room cabin.”

  He hooked his thumb to the cab. “Got my sleeping bag. She has a porch and guess I’ll sleep out there.”

  “Well, well, you are in quite the pickle.” She chuckled.

  “Thanks to you.”

  She waved him away. “You never know. This might be a story you’ll be telling my great-grandchildren someday.”

  “Sure, as long as they’re Daisy’s or Jackson’s children. I’ll tell the story.”

  Grumbling, Lincoln headed back to the lakeside cabin. At least he’d be sleeping outside in one of the most beautiful parts of Stone Ridge. The fresh air away from manure and cattle would do him good. He needed to get off the ranch more often, and though he hadn’t planned this, he’d roll with it. Figure he’d set his watch for an alarm every couple of hours and wake Sadie to make sure she wasn’t unconscious. Maybe she was right, and she’d only been out a short time. He ought to know exactly how long, but all he could picture now, as if in slow motion, was running to Sadie as she lay there on the ground.

  Everything faded to shades of muted colors and he’d simply held her against him. Soft and sweet, and far too quiet. Fear gripped him like tentacles. He hadn’t been this terrified when he’d been thrown from his horse years ago in the California Circuit Finals. Back then, he’d been too young and stupid to be truly scared. But there wasn’t a single scratch on him. That’s when he’d earned his rodeo circuit nickname: Lucky.

  He’d ordered one of the older children to go find help, and Brad and Lenny arrived within seconds. He’d been relieved to see them, but in the end, it made no difference that they’d been there. She’d diagnosed herself. And yeah, maybe she was going to be okay. Maybe he wasn’t the only lucky one. He almost believed her. But he couldn’t be certain without a hospital visit. He needed to find a way to get her there.

  Before heading to Sadie’s, he stopped at the General Store for some supplies. Ice packs, anti-inflammatories…what else? What else? At the register, he added a pack of Wintergreen gum. No idea why.

  “You might want to get some chocolate, too,” said Lloyd Hayes, the owner.

  Lincoln stared at him blankly.

  “Your girl? That time of month, is it? I’d add chocolate.”

  “This isn’t for my girl,” he growled. “It’s for Sadie. I’m sure you’ve heard.”

  The General Store sat kitty-corner to the new school. Word traveled fast. What was it now, two hours, tops?

  “Yup. Heard all about it. Thanks to Brad and Lenny lovin’ themselves a beer in the middle of the day, they were for once right where they needed to be.”

  Lincoln paid up and gathered his purchases.

  “Next time you think about lassoing a woman?” Lloyd called out with a chuckle. “First make sure she’s not a klutz.”

  “Funny.”

  He threw his purchases in the truck, then he phoned Daisy at the auto repair shop. “Do me a favor? I need someone to get Sadie’s truck from the new school and drive it back to her house.”

  “Sure thing,” Daisy said. “Did it break down?”

  “No,” Lincoln said, pinching the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. “Might as well let you know. You’ll hear about this later.”

  He explained the situation to Daisy, who suddenly couldn’t talk. Too busy laughing. “I’ll…get…someone…don’t…worry…”

  Nice how everyone found this hilarious. Maybe one day he’d have a laugh about it, too. When he pulled up to Sadie’s cabin, he noticed another truck parked in the driveway. A few minutes later, out walked Jeremy Bush.

  “Hey, Linc! Don’t worry, she’s doing okay.” He stopped right in front of Lincoln. “Where are your flowers?”

  “What flowers?”

  “For Sadie. She’s hurt. Weren’t you the one who did it?”

  Your honor, her feet were to blame.

  “I brought her ic
e packs and anti-inflammatories. Some gum.” He sounded like an idiot.

  “That’s good, too. Practical.” He shrugged and pointed to the house. “Door’s open.”

  Lincoln walked through the opened front door and shut it. “I’m back.”

  Sadie was arranging a bouquet of pink roses into a vase she’d filled with water. “Hey, there.”

  Lincoln scanned the kitchen counter, where there appeared to be six bouquets of flowers neatly lined up. A box of candy. All to be expected and he should not be surprised. The men of Stone Ridge were taking care of one of “their” women. And some of the younger men, no doubt, were courting Sadie.

  He ignored the hot flash of jealousy that spiked through him.

  “I brought you some ice packs,” he said. “That’s going to help you far more than these flowers will.”

  “You’re right.” She smiled at him. “They’ll all wither and die within a few days. Such a waste. And if I eat all this candy, I’ll be as big as my cabin and not half as fun.”

  She certainly didn’t have to worry about being too big. He noted she’d changed into shorts and a tee, and for a petite woman, her legs went on forever. He joined her in the kitchen, threw all but one ice pack in the freezer, and handed her the bottle of anti-inflammatories.

  “Might want to take one or two. Get ahead of it.”

  The doorbell rang, and Yankee Doodle Dandy played.

  Sadie brushed by him. “I’m sorry, but this has been happening since you left. That’s why I left the door open.”

  This time, Troy Mellencamp was at her door, carrying a pie. “Mama makes the best pies. This one is apple walnut.”

  “Oh, my. Thank her for me, sugar. That’s so sweet of her.”

  “Well, it was my idea.” His chest puffed up.

  “Thank you, too, of course.”

  Wasn’t Troy nineteen years old? Lincoln cleared his throat. “Hey, Troy.”

  “Oh, hey there, Lincoln.” Troy stuck his hands in his pockets, shoulders lowered. “Guess I’ll leave y’all alone.”

  “Thank you so much. Love y’all.”

  Sadie gently shut the door. She placed the pie on the counter, where she was running out of room. The phone rang and she picked it up.