Page 24 of Enticed
“Hold on,” he instructed, bending down to brace an arm behind my knees, and scooped me up. I let out a surprised yelp when he lifted me into the air.
“Gabe, what are you doing?” I hissed.
“You can’t walk. You’re injured.”
“Well,youcan’t carry me and lead my horse at the same time.”
“Watch me,” he challenged with a smirk. Heat flooded my belly, and my breath hitched. This assertive, demanding side of Gabe was new. And I liked it. It made me wonder if this was what he was like in … other aspects.
“What stall does she go in, and I’ll put her up for you?” a man wearing a black Stetson asked, breaking into my thoughts. He wore a name tag indicating he worked at the arena.
“Nineteen,” Gabe replied, handing over the reins.
“I’ll get her settled in. You take care of your girl,” he said, nodding to me. The casual way he referred to me ashis girlmade my stomach dip. I liked the way that sounded.
Gabe carried me over to a picnic table, placing me directly on the top. I sucked in a harsh breath when he removed my boot. The initial shock of the pain had momentarily subsided, but that brought it back full force. I gritted my teeth as he slowly peeled off my sock.
“My feet probably stink,” I warned, attempting to inject some humor into the moment to distract myself from the pain.
“It can’t be any worse than Jeremiah’s. That kid should really see a doctor about that stench.” I snorted a laugh, and Gabe cracked a smile as some of the tension eased from his shoulders. He leaned down to get a better look at the damage, releasing a low curse as he examined my ankle. It was already swollen and starting to bruise.
“It’s sprained again, isn’t it?” I asked, trying to hide the worry in my voice.
“Most likely,” he answered, and I released a groan of disappointment, wincing as he felt along the tissue.
“I should’ve been more careful dismounting. That ankle is weak, has been ever since I rolled it stepping in a hole Tiny dug behind the barn last year.” Tiny was our Great Pyrenees, and though he was an excellent ranch dog, he was notorious for digging holes all over the place. He was still young and rambunctious with energy to burn, and unfortunately he expended that energy by digging.
“Don’t beat yourself up over it. It could happen to anyone. I’ve been injured plenty of times dealing with horses. I once got kicked in the thigh so hard, I nearly cried,” Gabe admitted. “Though, I’m not sure if it was from the pain or knowing that had it been two inches to the right, I wouldn’t have any balls left.”
A surprised bark of laughter fell from my lips. He tried to give me a stern look like my amusement offended him, but he couldn’t keep up the ruse. His lips twitched as he tried to conceal his mirth.
“I’m sorry. That’s not funny,” I declared unconvincingly, covering my mouth with my hand.
“It wasn’t at the time, but I can laugh about it now seeing as my balls are thankfully still intact.”
“Shew, that’s a relief,” I quipped with a smirk. “I’m glad you weren’t turned into a gelding. That would have been tragic.”
“Very,” he agreed with a chuckle as he gently lowered my leg and released my foot. Then he straightened and shot me a serious look. “I’m going to find some ice. Stay right here,” he instructed.
“So bossy,” I teased. I wanted playful Gabe back, but I also relished getting under his skin, so I scooted forward and let my feet dangle over the edge like I might hop down. I was being a brat, taunting him just to see if he would react. And he took the bait.
“I mean it, Jasmine. Do not move from this spot, and don’t even think about walking on that ankle. You could make the injury worse.”
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t dream of disobeying you,” I vowed, fluttering my lashes innocently at him. He didn’t believe me for one second.
He sighed in resignation and turned on his heel, heading toward the concession stand. I wanted to watch the last few races, so when the parents of one of my competitors drove by on their golf cart, I flagged them down and hopped on one foot over to the back seat and plopped down. When we reached the arena, I took a seat on the bleachers and propped my foot up on the bottom rail of the fence.
That was where Gabe found me ten minutes later. I felt him before I saw him, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. He brooded silently as he loomed over, and I couldn’t look at him for fear I’d crack and burst into laughter.
“I thought I told you not to walk on that ankle,” he said sternly. I continued to watch the race, unfazed.
“I didn’t.”
“Then how did you get over here?”
“Golf cart,” I replied, motioning to the older couple parked next to the bleachers.
“I found some ice,” he said, pulling a handkerchief from his back pocket and wrapping it around the bag. Sinking onto the bleachers next to me, he pulled my foot into his lap and placed the ice on my swollen ankle. I hissed in a breath and finally glanced his way. My gaze landed on his hands where they gently cradled my foot and the lower part of my calf. His thumb rubbed slow, soothing circles over the ball of my foot. Tingles erupted over my skin, starting at the spot where he touched me and traveling all the way up to my scalp.
