Sunset Seduction - By Charlene Sands Page 0,61
to be distracted, she stared at the horse. “I’ve been working with Trib and he’s ready.”
“Audrey, get out of there, right now,” he rasped with menace in his voice.
“You’re paying me to do a job.” Eyes still trained on Trib, she spoke softly. “And we’re doing just fine.”
“You’re fired. I don’t want you to—”
And suddenly, out of nowhere, an orange blur appeared, racing at top speed toward her, Blackie, the Slades’ Border collie, chasing Jewel and barking like crazy. Luke cursed. He bounded over the corral fence just as Trib jerked his head back and yanked on the lead rope. Audrey held on tight, as long as she could. But Trib was more powerful. The rope jerked free of her hands. She stumbled forward and managed at the last second to turn her body. She landed with a thud on her butt.
Jewel whizzed by with Blackie at her heels. It all happened so fast. Trib whinnied loudly enough for the next county to hear. He reared up, his front legs coming eight feet off the ground. Audrey froze. Seconds ticked by in slow motion as she watched the horse balance himself on his hind legs as if trying to keep from crashing down on her.
“Watch out!” Luke shouted, running toward her.
He fell to his knees and pressed her close, cosseting her with his body and creating a shield of protection around her. She thought for a split second everything would be okay.
And then the force of Trib’s frustration landed on Luke with a crushing sound.
She felt a thump.
Luke bellowed in pain. And then slumped over her like a rag doll, lifeless and limp.
“Luke! Luke!”
“Don’t move him!” one of the ranch hands shouted from a distance.
“We’re calling for help,” another one said.
Audrey held her breath, bearing Luke’s weight and sending up prayers for his life.
* * *
Audrey’s tears stained her shirt as she unpacked her bags with Jewel looking on. They were home. Finally back in Reno. Finally back where she belonged.
She hated herself, hated the pain and anguish she’d caused Luke. She couldn’t stay on at the ranch, though everyone tried like crazy to convince her not to go. How on earth could she stay? How could she face Luke after what had happened? She had a hard enough time facing herself in the mirror.
She’d almost caused his death.
She hadn’t listened to his warnings.
She wanted so badly to prove to Luke he’d been wrong about Trib.
But she was the one who’d been wrong about everything.
More tears spilled from her eyes. It wasn’t good for the baby for her to cry like this, so she forced herself to stop. It was hard and she didn’t deserve to give herself a break. She didn’t deserve much of anything right now.
Poor Jewel. Even her cat knew something was off. Jewel glanced around her surroundings with dismay. Her sheepskin kitty bed and three-tier cat house seemed to have lost their appeal. Jewel moped. The cat had gotten accustomed to being on Slade land. She’d grown out of her separation anxiety. Living at the ranch had been like therapy.
Audrey steadied her breathing. She couldn’t seem to keep a dry face. She had the feeling she would have cried just as hard even if she weren’t pregnant. No, her tears couldn’t be blamed on hormones. Her tears would’ve been shed regardless.
Inside, she bled for the big mess she’d made of things, but she couldn’t think about that at the moment. She couldn’t wallow in self-pity. Luke was the important one. He would survive. Though he’d be spending the next week in the hospital, he would make a full recovery.
He’d been lucky, the doctor said. The horse hooves hadn’t made a direct hit. The thick-lined leather jacket Luke was wearing had lessened the impact of the force. But one hoof had knocked into the back of his head.
Luke had gotten another concussion.
Strike one for Audrey.
His body took a hard pounding.
Strike two for Audrey.
His spine wasn’t injured, but all of his organs were badly bruised.
Three strikes and you’re out.
As soon as she’d gotten the news that Luke would make a full recovery, she’d left the ranch. It hadn’t been easy to leave, but guilt and remorse had a way of convincing her that she wasn’t worthy. That sticking around would just make matters worse. She’d already caused Luke a world of grief and pain. She would’ve been the last person he’d want to see when he woke up in the hospital. At some point, she would have to