Read Online The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter - Free Book Online Page B

hint of I-told-you-so.
    It was dark now, and the streetlamps twinkled in a long line that reminded her of an airport runway. She’d called Abigail and told her what had happened. Her friend had offered to keep Olivia overnight, but Shay had asked Abigail to bring her home later instead. Shay was going to need her daughter’s help in the morning, like it or not.
    They turned out of town, heading toward her place.
    â€œWhat’re you gonna do?” Travis’s voice seemed deep in the dark cab.
    â€œI’ll manage.”
    Was she going to ask her twelve-year-old to do a man’s job? Shay could barely manage herself. Could she ask Manny to come back, promise to pay him later, after she sold off some cattle? That wasn’t fair. He needed money now, not weeks from now.
    God, You’ve got to step in here. I can’t do this alone .
    She could feel her pulse in her foot, now splinted and throbbing. Why weren’t those painkillers working?
    â€œListen, I’ve got extra time. God knows the Barr M practically runs itself. I’m basically deadweight—”
    â€œNo.” She couldn’t afford to refuse Doc’s help, but she couldn’t afford to accept Travis’s.
    â€œYou said Dr. Garvin told you to stay off your feet for a week. He may not know what that means to a rancher, but I do.”
    â€œThat’s my problem.”
    His hands tightened on the steering wheel.
    Fine, Travis, be upset . He had no idea what upset was, with his money and privilege and, no doubt, women ’round every corner.
    â€œBeau will give me a hand.” She didn’t know where the words came from. Didn’t know she had the thought until it was out.
    â€œBeau . . .” He huffed, shook his head.
    â€œGot something to say?”
    â€œNot a word.”
    â€œGood.”
    Who was he to mock her choices? Not that Beau was her choice. She had no doubt he’d be happy to help, but she couldn’t take advantage. Travis didn’t have to know that, though. She didn’t ask herself why that gave her satisfaction.
    â€œHe’s all wrong for you,” Travis said.
    â€œYou’re the expert? Last I checked, you resigned from that position.” The pain was making her testy, making her say things she shouldn’t. She clamped down on her lips.
    â€œYou’re right. That’s why I came over tonight.” He rubbed his jaw, set his hand back on the wheel. “But that’s for later. You’ve had enough for one day.”
    Like she was going to let him leave it at that. “Go ahead. Spill it.”
    â€œAnother time, Shay.”
    â€œI’m too cranky, that it? Can’t handle it, McCoy?”
    â€œI can handle you just fine, and we both know it.”
    His eyes burned into hers, and she was remembering that night just as he’d no doubt meant her to. The night she’d dared him to kiss her, and he’d wrestled her to the ground and set her lips on fire right there on a haystack in her parents’ barn. She’d put up an honest fight, thinking he liked Marla Jenkins, not her, but he’d taken her down like she was a feather and had her melting in his arms in two seconds flat.
    Blast the man. Her cheeks burned, and she tore her eyes from his. She was a grown woman now, and she’d learned plenty along the way. Such as, a man who broke your heart once will surely break it again.
    When they finally arrived home, Travis pulled the truck to the porch steps. “Stay there.”
    Like she had any choice. She opened the door while he retrieved the crutches. If he had his way, he’d be carrying her, but she wasn’t letting that happen. As it was, she couldn’t get away soon enough.
    He handed her the crutches and followed her up the porch steps. She kept her knee bent, her broken foot well off the ground. She was going to take another pill as soon as she got inside.
    â€œMaybe I should stay until your