The Texan's Cowgirl Bride

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she let fly what part of her wanted to say, the part that she always held at bay. “Because I didn’t think a bruise warranted an ambulance ride, especially when the bull riding is much more likely to cause serious injuries that would require an ambulance. I’m fine.”

“I can send someone to get you.”

“No. I’m here to spend the weekend with Abby.”

“You’re not riding hurt.”

She bit her lip because he would have never said that to her brothers. “No, I won’t be riding tomorrow, but I can cheer on Abby, hang out with my friends.”

Her dad didn’t immediately respond, and she wondered if for once he was holding back saying what he was thinking. It was very unlike him, but she didn’t want to tempt fate by pointing that out.

“As long as you’re sure that you’re okay,” he finally said.

“I am. Sore, but okay. You know it’s not the first time I’ve taken a spill.”

“Come see me when you get home.”

He might want to assure himself she was truly not badly hurt, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he also was using the opportunity to talk to her about the store. What little she’d eaten grew heavy in her stomach.

When the call ended, she handed the phone back to Travis.

“You all right?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’ve got the feeling I should hire your dad to help me track down people.”

“Oh, please do. Obviously, it’s something he can do while laid up. Keep him busy.”

When Travis gave her a questioning look, she explained. “He was injured several weeks ago in a senior rodeo, so he can’t go to work. And let’s just say that he doesn’t do well with boredom.”

“Ah. But you’re gone a lot, right?”

She shook her head as he opened the car door for her. “I don’t ride as much as I used to. I run the farm store on the ranch.”

“Well, you obviously haven’t suffered much for not riding as often.”

“Ha. You seem to have forgotten the part about me crashing and burning tonight.”

Travis shrugged. “We all slip at some point.”

“So you have a great P.I. boo-boo story?”

Travis helped her into the SUV and automatically reached for the seat belt. “I do.”

“Can it beat falling off a horse in front of hundreds of people?”

“Does following a fugitive and having half a dozen Rottweilers trap you in a tree count?”

The image made her giggle. She lifted her hand to her mouth. “Sorry. What did you do?”

“Before or after I had to call 911 to get help?”

This time she snorted.

“That’s it. I’m taking back the milkshake.” He reached for it.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” She pulled the cup out of his reach. A stab of pain in her side caused her to gasp.

“Sorry.” Travis placed his hand on her jean-clad leg. “I didn’t mean to make you hurt yourself.”

“It’s okay.” Savannah tried not to focus on the feel of his warm hand against her thigh. He wasn’t squeezing or pressing down, but she still sensed his strength. And felt an odd tingle, as if his flesh were touching hers.

“If it makes you feel better, you can pour the milkshake over my head,” he said.

She forced her focus off the weight of his hand and lifted a brow. “And waste a perfectly good milkshake?”

“Saved by a sweet tooth.” Travis smiled as he backed away from her and shut the door.

She tried not to think about how she was simultaneously glad he’d removed his hand while also missing the connection. Jeez, maybe the doctor had been wrong and she did conk her head.

The dose of extra-strength pain reliever she’d been given must be taking effect because the ride back to the rodeo grounds wasn’t as painful as the trip to the hospital.

Savannah directed Travis toward Abby’s rig. Before he even turned off the engine, Abby came bounding out of the trailer and straight for the passenger side of the SUV.

“Are you okay?” she asked as she opened the door.

Savannah told herself to ignore the twinge of loss that she wouldn’t get to enjoy Travis’s touch one more time. The truth was she needed to get away from him and the unexpected attraction toward him. “Fine. Just sporting the mother of all bruises. What about Bluebell?”

“She’s fine. A scratch, nothing more.”

Savannah breathed a sigh of relief. Bluebell wasn’t just a horse to her. She was a good friend, family, a trusted partner.

As Savannah unlatched her own seat belt this time and slid out of the truck, Abby spotted her bag of food and milkshake.

“Did you two go to the hospital or out on a date?”

Savannah shot her friend a “What the hell?” look but quickly hid it when Travis appeared at Abby’s side.

“Her stomach was growling so much that I was afraid the hospital staff would think a wild animal had gotten loose in the E.R.,” Travis said, a mischievous grin on his face.

Savannah wrinkled her nose at him. “Very funny.”

Travis gave a little bow, as if on stage. “Thank you. I’ll be here all week.”

This time, Savannah rolled her eyes and headed toward the trailer. “Well, this chick is done for the day. I’m going to bed and calling do-over for tomorrow.”

After shooting Savannah a wicked wink, Abby headed toward the trailer to get the door. When Savannah reached the bottom of the steps, she stopped and half turned toward Travis.