Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Her eyes soften, as does her mouth, and I can tell they were the right words to say.
Dipping my head, I get close to her face so I can murmur, “I missed being inside you.”
Nora groans, her eyes fluttering closed. Bringing a hand to the back of her head, I press my lips to her brow just briefly before I promise her, “But we’re more than likely to break your bed versus fixing it later. Just so you know.”
Another groan from Nora, and she presses in close to me. My heartbeat pulses at her nearness. I inhale, letting just her scent alone consume me.
Maybe a horse ride is a stupid idea.
“Come on,” Nora drawls as she pulls away, taking my hand in hers. “Let’s go saddle up.”
I keep my thoughts to myself because her idea of saddling up and mine are probably two very separate things at this point.
She leads me over to the barn, and the happy nickers that some of the horses give as they poke their heads from their stalls are all reserved for Nora. Those animals love her with an unshakable bond.
I start to reach out to touch the nose of a dappled gray horse that’s especially friendly when Nora drops my hand and says, “What’s wrong?”
For a moment, I’m confused, but then I see Raul kneeling on one knee by a wooden box used to hold equipment. He’s resting a forearm on the edge and his head is hanging low, his trademark straw hat on the ground.
Nora rushes to his side, and I hustle over there as well. Raul’s head hangs heavy, but his eyes lift to meet hers. He gives it a small shake, his voice gruff. “I’m fine. Just a little dizzy is all. Too hot, I think.”
The man is sweating, but it’s not overly hot in here.
Nora goes to her knees, putting her face near his. “Raul… you’re scaring me.”
He gives an annoyed wave of his hand, dismissing her concerns. “I’m fine. Just a little hot is all.”
“And dizzy,” she says, repeating his own words. “Are you feeling anything else? Pain? Chest pressure?”
Glad she’s asking those questions. It’s what I’d be concerned about.
With a grunting effort and another head shake, Raul pushes up to a standing position. Nora tries to help him, but he shrugs her off. “I’m fine. Just needed a little break.”
Nora meets my eyes, and I can tell that doesn’t assure her at all. She also appears a bit stymied, because Raul is blowing her off in a pretty firm manner. I don’t have any such qualms about strong-arming him if need be, though.
“You look a little pale,” I say, coming to Nora’s side. My hand goes to her back, a show of support.
“I’m a little queasy,” he admits. Nora rolls her eyes, annoyed I got that info out of him. “Maybe a stomach bug.”
Maybe not.
I don’t miss the subtle drift of his hand to his chest where he rubs at the center of it.
Nora doesn’t miss it either. “Does your chest hurt?” she demands.
“Heartburn,” he mutters. “The chorizo and eggs this morning coming back to haunt me.”
Nora’s eyebrow cocks high, telling me she doesn’t know whether to believe him or not.
“How about I take you to an urgent care clinic,” she suggests gently. “Maybe you’ve got a bug or something that could use a hit of antibiotics.”
“I don’t need no damn doctor,” he growls. When Nora flinches from his tone, I have to clench my fists, but they unfurl when Raul immediately backpedals. “I’m sorry, honey. I’m just grumpy because I don’t feel good.”
“Will you at least lay down and rest?” she suggests, putting her arm on his shoulder. “It will make me feel better.”
“Got too much to do,” he replies, but I note he doesn’t shrug off her touch. “Getting ready to feed the horses—”
“I can handle that,” Nora interrupts, cutting off any excuses.
“And I’ll help,” I add. Looks like our day spent together is going to be working the ranch, but I’m fine by that as long as I get to be around Nora.
“In fact,” Nora drawls, looking from Raul to me. “Tacker… do you mind driving Raul to the main house in the Gator?”
Next ensues a five-minute argument between Nora and Raul, who is adamantly opposed to being coddled and put to bed in her house so she can tend to him.
When their voices start rising in frustration, I take matters into my own hands. “Come on, Raul,” I say with a jerk of my head to the Gator. “I’m going to drive you to your house. Nora can start feeding the horses, and I’ll make sure you’re all set up. Then you can call us if you need us, okay?”
Nora opens her mouth, but I give her a slight shake of my head. Let it go, babe.