He was looking forward to having Billie all to himself for a few hours tonight. It was the last night of Festival on the Green, and they’d been bummed to have missed the weeklong event, but it would’ve been difficult hobbling on crutches and each having the use of only one arm. But Dare wasn’t about to let her miss the fireworks show. Especially since they’d missed them on the Fourth of July. They needed this. Neither of them was used to relying on others or taking it easy, and they’d been edgy because of it. Dare was seeing clients again, and that helped. Although he still held sessions outdoors, he missed working with his hands. Billie had been right about him having a hard time sitting still. He was having almost as hard of a time with it as she was.
Billie desperately wanted to get back to work at the bar. That was out of the question for a few more weeks, but she’d been spending more alone time with Bobbie, and he’d noticed they’d both been happier because of it. Bobbie had taken her to the Roadhouse during the lunch shift a few times, and that time at the bar seemed to feed Billie’s spirits almost as much as her lessons with Kenny did. She’d insisted on continuing to work with Kenny, and Dare made sure he was at every lesson, as did Doc. They needed at least one non-injured adult present. Kenny had even gotten Doc to ride with him a few times, and it made Dare immensely happy to see his oldest brother cutting loose a little.
“I still can’t believe I get to do an exhibition ride at the Ride Clean kickoff,” Kenny said for the tenth time in as many minutes. They’d cleared the idea with his parents and had given him the news right before the girls showed up to help Billie get ready.
“You’ll have to practice a lot, so you’re not too nervous when the time comes,” Dare said.
“I’d practice every day if you’d let me,” Kenny exclaimed.
Cowboy arched a brow. “When would you ride horses if you ride that bike every day?”
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Kenny said with a very Whiskey-like nod.
Everyone had raved about how great a job Kenny had done helping Cowboy with the pony rides at the festival. He’d become so enamored with horses the last few weeks, he’d been talking with Sasha about becoming an equine rehabilitation therapist. Dare couldn’t be prouder of him, and he looked forward to seeing where his passions lay as time passed. They’d had a great meeting with his parents, and Kenny would be going home this week. His parents had agreed to let him work at the ranch for a few hours several times a week until school started and continue training with Billie even after school began, as long as he kept his grades up and stayed out of trouble. Dare would be meeting with his family weekly to keep a pulse on things and help with any issues that might arise.
Cowboy lifted his chin in Dare’s direction. “How are you doing over there? Need anything?”
“Yeah, think you can hurry the girls up? I’m ready to rock and roll.”
“They’ll come out when they’re ready,” Cowboy said. “Nervous about your big date?”
“Yeah, actually, I am. It’s hard to make moves on a girl when you’ve both got broken bodies.” He winked at Kenny, who laughed. “I just want tonight to be perfect for her. I want to see that smile that hits me right here.” He pounded his chest with his fist and winced. His chest wound was mostly healed, but if he caught it just right, it smarted.
“I guess it’ll be a while before you can jump buses or run with the bulls,” Cowboy said.
“Didn’t I tell you I’m not doing those higher-level stunts anymore?”
“Yup. I just didn’t believe it.”
Dare held his gaze. “I meant it. I can’t stand the thought of Billie, or any of you, sitting by my hospital bed, or worse.”
Cowboy straightened his hat, eyes serious. “You realize your accident happened from just driving down the road, right? No fancy stunts needed.”
“Yeah, and you realize Billie and I are still going to do fun shit, right?”
“I assumed as much.” Cowboy’s lips quirked. “You two wouldn’t be who you are if you let life scare you into submission.”
“There’s only one thing I submit to, and that’s the gorgeous brunette who’s probably sick of being pawed at in there. I’m going to rescue her.” Dare grabbed his crutch and stood.
Cowboy leapt to his feet. “Sit your lame ass down. I’ll get her.”
“And if I don’t?”
“She’ll be sitting by your hospital bed because of this.” Cowboy waved his fist.
Kenny laughed.
“Don’t encourage him.” Dare sat down. “The guy’s got a savior complex bigger than this state.”
“It comes from growing up with a younger brother who thinks he’s indestructible.” Cowboy opened the door and hollered, “Get your clothes on, ladies. I’m coming in.”
“I still think you lucked out,” Kenny said as the screen door closed behind Cowboy. “You and your brothers have great relationships.”
“They’re a pain in my ass,” Dare teased.
“You’re a pain in mine, but I still like hanging out with you.”
Dare chuckled. “I like hanging out with you, too, buddy. Are you ready to go to the festival? Got everything you need?” Cowboy was driving them to see the fireworks, and Kenny was going to hang out with Billie’s and Dare’s families and the other Redemption Ranch clients, who had already left for the festival with Dwight, Hyde, and Taz.
Kenny picked up his cowboy hat and settled it on his head, giving Dare a curt nod. “I’m all set.”
The door flew open, and Birdie ran out, looking as bright and happy as her purple overall shorts, which she wore with a white tank top and a funky pair of platform boots that made her about five inches taller. Her hair was braided into two thick plaits, and she wore glittery purple eye shadow. “Dare! Close your eyes!”
“Birdie.” He just wanted to see his girl.
She crossed her arms. “It’s not every day that Billie has an entourage to help her get ready.”
“Sure seems like it,” Dare teased as he grabbed his crutch, put on his hat, and stood up.
Birdie rolled her eyes and began straightening his shirt, a plaid peach-and-rust sleeveless and collarless button-down, which she’d brought with her tonight, along with tan cargo shorts, and insisted Dare wear. She said he should dress nicely for his and Billie’s first post-accident date. The clothes were comfortable, and everyone had complimented him, but it was Billie’s reaction that had convinced him to keep them on. She’d bitten her lower lip, and the heat in her eyes had told him she’d done it to keep from saying the dirty things going through her mind in front of his sister. They’d managed to keep their hands to themselves the first few days while they’d rested, but they’d since found creative ways to use their hands, mouths, and battery-operated teammates to fulfill their desires.
“There,” Birdie said, and stepped back, admiring Dare. “You look really handsome.”
“Thanks, Bird.”
“Billie looks amazing, too.” She bounced on her toes. “Bobbie did her hair, Sasha did her makeup, and Alice, Mom, and I helped pick out her outfit and accessories. I can’t wait for you to see her!”