“And I hadn’t seen her when you called me yesterday morning,” Sawyer said. At least, he hadn’t known he’d seen her. All he could still remember from that night were her lips pressed against a shot glass—like they were pressed against the rim of her juice glass now.
“Why did you show up here together?” Lincoln asked.
Maisy lowered her glass and fielded the question. “Because I couldn’t leave Sawyer after he jumped into the arena and threw his body over mine to keep the bronc from stomping me.”
All three of the men turned to Sawyer and he felt his face heat. “It wasn’t a big deal. Just a gut reaction.”
Lincoln stared at Sawyer for only a moment before he placed a hand on his shoulder. “I should’ve known you’d watch out for her. You’re a good friend, Sawyer.”
Talk about feeling like a piece of crap. Sawyer refused to look at Maisy as he nodded and went back to eating his flapjacks.
The conversation moved to the fall festival Dixie was planning. Because he felt so guilty, Sawyer volunteered to help. He didn’t mind as long as Dixie didn’t expect him to attend. He planned to rest up for a week and then head to a rodeo in Tulsa.
As Lucas got up to start clearing the table, Sawyer grabbed the last piece of bacon on the plate. Unfortunately, Maisy grabbed it at the exact same time. If not for the sparkle of defiance and challenge in her big brown eyes, he might’ve graciously given it up. But he had a weakness for bacon . . . and for a challenge. He stared at her and refused to let go. The bacon broke in half like a turkey wishbone. Of course, Maisy ended up with the bigger piece while Sawyer was left with a crumbled inch.
Maisy grinned as she took a big bite. “I guess some people are just luckier than others.”
Chapter Six
“I can’t believe you didn’t call me.” Dixie Leigh Hayes looked more hurt than mad when she showed up at the Airstream trailer Maisy had just finished setting up on Sawyer’s land.
Maisy give her friend a one-armed hug as Dixie stepped into the small trailer. “I’m sorry. I was going to call you as soon as I got settled in.”
“Settled in?” Dixie drew back and shook her head. “Oh, no. If you think for one second I’m going to let you stay here by yourself when you’re injured, you’ve got another think comin’, honey. You are coming home with me. You shouldn’t be staying by yourself when you only have one good arm.”
“I’m doing just fine with one arm. The only things I can’t do are tie sneakers and hook a bra. I never have liked running and my boobs aren’t big enough to need support. Now quit fussing at me and sit down and I’ll get you a Coke.”
Dixie placed her hands on her hips. “You’re as stubborn as the day is long, Maisy Sweeney.”
Maisy laughed as she opened the refrigerator. “So I’ve been told. You want diet or regular?”
“Diet, please.” Dixie sat at the table. When Maisy came back with the drinks, she took them from her and popped the tabs.
Maisy sat down. “How did you know I was here?”
“Sawyer called and asked me to come check on you.”
Maisy was more than a little surprised . . . and a whole lot happy. “Sawyer was concerned about me?”
Dixie nodded. “I guess Chester and Lucas were fit to be tied that you snuck off while they were taking a nap.”
Maisy’s happiness fizzled. Of course, it was Chester and Lucas who were upset she’d left. Sawyer was probably thrilled he no longer had to look at his big mistake. She blew out her breath. “Yeah, Chester and Lucas are sweethearts. I thought maybe they’d hold a grudge against me because of my daddy, but they welcomed me into their home with open arms.”
“Would you stop worrying that people are going to judge you by your daddy, Maisy? Everyone knows you’re not like Sam Sweeney.”
For a moment, Maisy thought about confiding in Dixie about the lie she’d told Sawyer. Then she decided against it. Dixie couldn’t keep a secret to save her soul.
Maisy took a sip of Coke. “Lincoln didn’t know I wasn’t like Sam at first.”
When Maisy and Lincoln had first met, he’d hated her for being her father’s daughter. And she soon learned why. Not only had Lincoln had to deal with Sam Sweeney’s pranks during the summer he’d spent at the Double Diamond’s Boys’ Ranch, he’d also had to deal with physical abuse from Sam when he was a child. Before Sam had gotten Maisy’s mama pregnant and left her, he’d dated Lincoln’s mother. Lincoln had been just a young kid at the time, and he had suffered under Sam’s temper.
“Lincoln had some demons he had to deal with,” Dixie said. “But he loves you like a little sister now.”
And Maisy loved him like the brother she never had.
As if they had conjured him up with their conversation, Dixie’s cellphone rang. From the look of pure joy on Dixie’s face when she glanced at the caller ID, Maisy knew it was Lincoln.
“Hey, honey,” Dixie answered. “What’s up?” Her smile got even bigger. “Now you know I can’t talk about those things when I’m on duty. But when you get home tonight, I intend to not only talk about them, but also demonstrate them.” She winked at Maisy. “Right now, I want to know why you didn’t call and tell me that Maisy was back in town and injured. I had to hear the news from Sawyer. If I’d known earlier, I might’ve been able to keep her from gettin’ all settled in out here in the middle of nowhere.” She sent Maisy a pointed look. “Yep, she ran off from the Double Diamond and she’s camped on Sawyer’s land . . . yes, I know, dear.” She lowered the phone. “He’s madder than a hornet and wants me to take you back to our apartment.”
Maisy grinned. “Tell him I’m not going to butt my nose in on two newlyweds. Especially after hearing you talking about your plans tonight.”
“We can postpone our plans. We’ve had plenty of newlywed time.”
“And I want you to have plenty more. I’m fine!” She yelled the last at the phone. Even without the phone being on speaker, she could hear Lincoln yell back.
“You’re not fine! And neither is Sawyer. But he’s heading back to the rodeo circuit.”
Maisy took the phone from Dixie. “What? Sawyer’s heading back?”
“He plans to be at the Tulsa rodeo this coming weekend,” Lincoln said.
“He can’t ride again.”
“Try telling him that. He’s as stubborn as you are. You need someone to watch out for you, Maisy.”
“I just have a broken collarbone. It’s nothing compared to Sawyer’s multiple concussions.” She realized her mistake as soon as the words were out.
“Multiple? What are you talking about?”
Maisy mentally kicked herself. She’d given her word to Sawyer not to say anything about what she’d overheard at the hospital. She knew how it felt to have people worry about you all the time—to have people look at you like you were an idiot because you liked to be tossed around on the back of a horse. She understood what drove Sawyer. Bronc riding was like a drug. Nothing could duplicate the adrenaline rush. Once you got that rush, you wanted it again and again. Even at the cost of your body.