Page 44 of Marrying a Cowboy

Chapter Seventeen

Emma

Austin wasquiet as he drove his truck through the field. Emma bounced and jostled but decided it was best to keep quiet. Her emotions were all over the place but right now, it seemed like Austin needed silence, so she’d give that tohim.

Plus, it allowed her to process her own thoughts which she desperately needed to do. After their intimate moment in the kitchen, once again, her feeling for Austin were just as confusing as they had been earlier that day. Her resolve to keep him at an arms-length went flying out the window when he started confessing his feeling toher.

Or his fake feelings. She still wasn’t sure if any of it wastrue.

As her heart began to pick up speed she did know one thing. She wanted it to be true. All of it. She wanted him to care about her just as much as she was finding herself caring forhim.

Was that too much toask?

She glanced out the window and sighed. Probably. Austin didn’t want to get married. He didn’t want a wife. Which pretty much meant, he didn’t want her. No matter how much she wantedhim.

“When we get there, I’m going to need you to listen to everything I say.” He glanced over at her. His expression had turnedserious.

She nodded. “Ofcourse.”

He turned his gaze forward again. “I mean it. Animals that are hurt are unpredictable. One kick from a heifer and she could break your leg or put you in a coma.” His voice grew quiet as his eyesnarrowed.

She allowed herself to think that perhaps, the thought of her getting injured bothered him. But then, she couldn’t think about that right now. She couldn’t get wrapped up in her thoughts about Austin again. She acted irrationally when that happened. And from the seriousness of his tone, she knew that was the last state she should bein.

Five minutes ticked by before Austin slowed next to a patch of fence. Emma held her breath. An adolescent black cow was tangled in the fencing. It was complaining very loudly. It jolted from side to side, the wire digging deeper and deeper into itshide.

Austin cursed under his breath. “We gotta get her out of there before she digs the fencing farther into her skin,” he said as he pushed open the door and hoppedout.

Emma stared at the giant animal. Besides the zoo, animals didn’t exist in New York. Well, only ones that could fit in rich women’s purses. Her heart pounded as she opened her door. She wanted to help, she just wasn’t surehow.

Austin had already slammed his door and was heading to the bed of the truck when she shut her own door. Making her way over to him, she watched as he removed a pair of wirecutters.

“What are we doing with those?” she asked. And then as soon as she did, she felt stupid. What was the matter with her? Of course, they were going to cut the animal loose. It wasn’t a tangle in a necklace chain. It was a real, live, breathing animal. And it washurt.

Austin glanced over at her. “You aren’t going to do anything. You are going to stand off so you don’t get hurt.” He gave her a pointed look as he passedby.

Emma wanted to tell him that he could use her. That she was helpful, but decided against fighting him. Instead, she stopped talking and followed afterhim.

Austin stopped when he was a few feet away. She could see his gaze roaming around the animal. It moaned in protest and shifted where it stood. Emma watched. Every movement it made caused the burs to deepen. Blood oozed from everypuncture.

The wire was wrapped around its middle and around its neck. One of its legs was tangled up as well. Emma stared at it. How had thishappened?

“Austin, what I can I do?” she asked, stepping forward. Sure, she wasn’t the biggest animal lover but it was killing her to see this animal in so muchpain.

“Just, stay there,” he said, raising hishand.

Emma wanted to fight back. She was useful. She couldhelp.

He let out some soft words as he approached the animal. It shifted and moaned again. Austin reached out his hand and gingerly pressed it on the cow’s nose. It moved again, bucking its head in hisdirection.

“Hey, now. Hey, now,” he said, his voice calm. “I’m going to get you out of there.” He moved his hand down past its shoulder to where the wire had dug deep into itsback.

The moment he touched the wire, the animal protested and began stomping its free legs. Austin jumped out of the way as the cow whipped its head in hisdirection.

Now out of range from the animal’s distress, Austin paced in front of it. His expression was stony as he stared at theanimal.

Emma felt completely helpless. She wanted to do something but wasn’t surewhat.

“Austin?” she asked, stepping towardhim.

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