The Barrington Brothers: When Opposites Attract... / Single Man Meets Single Mom / Carrying the Lost Heir's Child

“Macduff...where...” Tessa continued to try to catch her breath as she searched the track. “Is he okay?”

Fury bubbled within Grant. Was she seriously more worried about this horse than her own welfare?

Because she wasn’t going to relax until she knew about the animal, Grant glanced back and saw Cassie managing just fine, along with the new groom. They’d taken control of the horse and were leading him into the stables.

“He’s fine,” Grant told her. “Cassie has him.”

Tessa’s shoulders relaxed into the dirt and her eyes closed as she exhaled a shallow breath. The color had left her face and her arm was draped across her ribs.

“I need to know what hurts, so I can tell the squad.” He pulled out his phone and barely hit the 9 before she put her hand over his.

“No, I’m fine.” Her eyes locked on to his. “Don’t fuss with calling anyone.”

“Like hell I’m not, Tessa.”

Bad memories played through his mind like a horror movie...only it had been real life. Internal injuries were by far even more terrifying. He’d done a somewhat good job of keeping these two worlds—caring for Tessa, and her lifestyle—apart. But the two had just collided and blown up in his face.

“You’re white as a ghost, Grant. Are you okay?”

He ran a hand down his face and nodded. “I’m fine. But you’re going to get checked out. Internal injuries may not make their appearance known until it’s too late.”

“Grant—”

“You can either ride in an ambulance or I’m taking you, but this is not up for debate.”

Tessa flinched at his raised voice.

“Is she okay?” Cassie asked, squatting down next to them.

“She’s stubborn,” Grant hissed, coming to his feet. “Talk some sense into her while I call for the medics.”

While he did so, he at least heard Cassie taking his side. No way in hell would he allow Tessa to ignore what had just happened. And knowing her, she’d probably get right back on the damn horse and go another round.

After his call was placed, he returned to Tessa, who was now sitting up with Cassie’s arm supporting her.

“They’re on their way,” he told them.

“I hate to leave her, but I need to tell Nash she’s going to the hospital, and I need to go find Dad.”

“Who’s Nash?” Grant asked.

“The new groom,” Tessa told him. “Go, Cass, I’m fine.”

Cassie shot Grant a look, but he nodded, giving her the silent go-ahead. There was no way he would be leaving Tessa’s side.

“I’m sure Dad will be at the hospital as soon as I let him know,” Cassie said.

“That’s fine. I’ve got my cell, so he can call me, too.”

As soon as the squad arrived and loaded Tessa—carefully, as per Grant’s demands—he went to get his rental car to follow. As much as he wanted to ride with her, he needed his vehicle, because when they left, he sure as hell would be the one bringing her back.

* * *

“This is all really silly,” Tessa complained as Grant eased his car into the drive, passing beneath the arched sign for the estate. “I can stay at my house just fine, Slick.”

“We already went over this. You can stay at your house with me or at my house with me. Since you only huffed when I gave you your options, I decided we’d stay here so your dad and sister are closer.”

Tessa rolled her eyes as he parked in front of the cottage. “I only live one property over.”

He turned, offered her that killer smile complete with dimples and said, “Yes, but there are several acres separating the two. Your father and I agreed this was best.”

“My father probably has no clue you have the hots for his daughter, either,” she mumbled.

Grant barked a laugh and came around to help her out. She wasn’t some invalid. She’d fallen off Macduff because she’d not been paying attention, and the once-abused horse was still skittish.

Cassie had bought the horse from an auction, and they all knew he’d been mistreated. But Cassie was a softy for any animal, especially ones not properly cared for. Tessa was confident she could keep him under control...and she had, until she’d seen Grant walking toward the stables, phone to his ear and wearing the most brilliant smile. He’d stolen her breath, and she’d lost her concentration. Macduff was nervous, anyway, but the accident was totally her fault.

Grant slid his arm around her as she started to climb from the car. “Really, I can walk,” she protested. “I won’t fall over.”

“The doctor said you had a concussion, and you admitted you were dizzy.” He tightened his grip. “You’re not going down on my watch.”

Okay, so a bit of her was thrilled at the fact he wanted to care for her, but she seriously could’ve taken care of herself. Did he think she was sharing his bed tonight? Surely that wasn’t a reason behind his insistence to keep her at his place.

Once inside the cottage, Grant gave her no option but to sit on the sofa with her feet propped up. Her protests were completely ignored as he removed her boots.

“Now, what can I get you to eat? You haven’t had dinner.”

Tessa hadn’t given food a thought. “What do you have? Just something light. I’m still queasy.”

“I’m pretty sure there are some cans of soup in the cabinet.”

Laying her head against the back of the sofa, she nodded. “That will be fine. Any flavor, I’m not too picky.”

Even as tired as she was, she couldn’t close her eyes. Watching Grant bustle around the kitchen, getting her dinner ready, really hit her hard. Aaron had never taken this much care of her. He’d never tried to put her needs first. Of course, hindsight was a real eye-opener, because the man had been only out for himself to begin with.

But there was something special about Grant. He obviously loved his family, which was a huge indicator that he was a nurturer. The fact he was so easy to talk to also proved to her that he wasn’t the self-centered city slicker she’d first thought him to be.

When he brought her dinner on a tray, Tessa smiled. “You’re so good to me, Slick. I could get used to this.”

He took a seat on the coffee table across from her and smiled. “I could get used to you lying on my couch watching me.”

After taking a few mouthfuls of chicken soup, she glanced back over at him and sighed. His eyelids were heavy, his hair all messed from running his fingers through it. Normally he looked so polished, the picture of perfection. Now he looked...exhausted.

“I’m sorry, Grant.”

“What for?”

“This. Being a burden, scaring you.”