Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Dillon gasps behind me, and the doctor takes a step back and leans against the counter. “Right, well, I’m guessing you got light-headed. Your blood sugar likely dropped too low. Fainting is a way for your body to force you to stop.”
I’m wide-eyed as I ask, “But I can ride again today… I mean, after I eat.”
“You’re not riding today,” Dillon says.
I hold my hand up to stop him and look at the doctor. “Doc?”
He looks between Dillon and me and takes a deep breath. “No more riding today. You fainted because your blood sugar dropped, and it can happen again if you push yourself.”
“But…” I start.
He shakes his head. “I want you fed, watered, and stable before you get on the back of a horse again.”
I open my mouth to argue, but pure exhaustion comes over me. “Fine.”
Dillon is next to me and helps me from the table. “Thanks, Doc. Just bill us.”
I thank the doctor, and as soon as my feet hit the ground, Dillon lifts me in his arms. “I can walk,” I tell him.
He just keeps moving.
The doctor opens the door, and Dillon strides with me in his arms from the infirmary. As soon as we walk out, we’re surrounded by people.
Some of them are minding their own business, getting ready for their next event or whatever, but a lot of people are watching us. “Everyone is staring.”
“I don’t care,” Dillon says.
He holds me tighter, and my face is tucked against his neck. “I can walk.”
He’s striding toward the exit, and his arms tighten around me. “I’d like to hold you if that’s okay.”
When I don’t answer him, he stops and looks down at me. “London, is it okay if I carry you to the car?”
I nod my head and wrap both hands around his neck. “Yeah, okay.”
He gets me to his truck, opens the passenger door, and slides me in. He pulls the seatbelt around me, and before closing the door, he searches my eyes. “You okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He opens his mouth, then closes it.
He wants to say something, but he just shakes his head and then shuts the door.
Instead of watching him walk around the truck, I lean my head back against the seat.
I sleep almost the whole way back to my ranch.
I open my eyes only when Dillon lifts me out of the truck to carry me inside. “I’m sorry,” I murmur.
He clenches his eyes shut. “Don’t say you’re sorry.”
I lean my head back against his chest and let him carry me inside the house, down the hall and to my bedroom.
Juggling me in one arm, he pulls the covers back and then lays me down on the bed.
He points at me. “Stay right there. I’m going to go fix you something to eat.”
I shake my head. “I’m not hungry.”
He sits on the side of the bed, his hip next to mine. He’s looking at me so intently that all I can do is stare back at him. He lifts his hand and brushes a stray hair off my face. “London, you have to eat.”
I nod. I know he’s right. “Yeah, right, I know. I can get myself something.”
His hand goes to my shoulder. “Stay right here and I’ll get it.”
He watches me for another few seconds, and then with a huffed breath, he gets up.
I watch him as he walks out of my room. I can hear the sounds of cabinets opening, pans being set on the stove.
Only ten minutes go by before Dillon is walking back into the room with a tray in his hands.
I scoot up, putting my back against the headboard.
He sets the tray on my lap. “I made you grilled cheese and tomato soup. There’s some strawberries, and I put some of those electrolytes you like in your water. Oh, and there are a few cookies to round it out.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, and as soon as the scent of the food hits me, my stomach grumbles.
I lift a spoonful of soup, blow on it, and take a sip. Dillon sits on the chair next to the bed, watching me.
I lift another spoonful to my lips. “Are you going to keep watching me?”
He looks like he’s about to say yes, but he shakes his head and shoots up. “No. Uh, I’m pretty sure your folks have already heard, but I’m going to let them know you’re not riding later today.”
“My parents are going to flip. They were already planning on how to spend that money.”
His hands go to fists. “We’re about to change things around here, London.”
Suddenly ravenous, I take a bite of the sandwich and then cover my mouth as I chew and respond, “What do you mean?”
He throws a hand up. He’s mad, that much is obvious. “All this. No one is taking care of you.”