Page 45 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
“I’ll hold you to that. I hear differently and I’ll be pissed.” A rumbling sound echoed in the background. “Heading into a weigh station, so I’d better make this short. Next time don’t leave it up to Levi to let me know when something happens. And I mean it about taking care of yourself.”
“I hear you,” Finn told him.
“Good. And Zach, always nice to hear your voice. If my brother’s a dumbass again in the future, I expect you’ll let me know.”
Zach outright chuckled. “I’ll put you on speed dial. Keep your wheels turning.”
“Ten-four that,” Duncan signed off.
Finn stared at the ceiling of the truck and attempted to recalibrate his world. This wasn’t what he’d hoped to be dealing with at the moment, but there’d been a lot of unexpected things over the years.
In the big scheme, breaking his leg was only a temporary glitch.
He glanced at Zach. “Don’t you go gossiping to my brothers without asking first.”
“Are you kidding me? Of course I told them. Duncan’s the size of a brick shithouse, and Levi’s kids are so adorable they can sweet-talk me into anything. You’re only my best friend. You carry way less clout.”
Finn snorted, the noise grinding into a groan. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
“Speaking of which.” Zach tossed a bag on the dash. “I filled your prescription. Keep ahead of the pain or you’ll regret it.”
Something other than pain snuck in. “You think I made a mistake agreeing to move into Karen’s cottage?”
“You worried about that? Nah, it makes perfect sense.” Zach shrugged. “I know you have a goal in mind when it comes to this thing with her, but for right now, take your brother’s advice to worry about yourself and healing. That’s all this is about, really. Moving into the cottage will make things easier for you.”
“Going to make it harder for Karen,” Finn grumbled.
“Only if you’re a grumpy bastard,” Zach retorted. “Look, I know you’ll want to go full speed ahead as soon as you can. I’m okay with you helping with whatever tasks fit in between taking time to heal. And if you need me to come over to help pull on your pants every morning and take them off at night, I’m there. Zero obligation on Karen’s part.”
“Don’t be too sure I won’t take you up on that. It’s a bloody nightmare trying to get dressed.”
“I wondered about that. Skip the jeans and wear sweats—we’ll buy some big enough to fit over the cast. Also, there’s this grabbing tool I saw when I did a search online, so I ordered you one. Should be here tomorrow.” Zach flashed him a grin. “Just because I offered to help you get dressed doesn’t mean I actually want to see your ugly mug that early every morning.”
Whether it was the painkillers or the whole experience, Finn found himself a little shaky as the truth escaped. “Glad you’re my friend.”
Zach coughed into his hand. “Damn. I need to try some of your drugs.”
“Asshole.”
Beside him, his friend was all but chuckling. “Love you too. Now, shut up.”
They passed the final part of the ride in companionable silence.
Zach parked with the passenger door as close as possible to the cottage path. He let Finn handle his crutches and getting out of the truck on his own, instead storming up the walkway, bags in hand as he rapped his knuckles on the front door. “Uber Eats.”
The face of an angel appeared as Karen slid the door open and gestured them in. “Thank goodness. I was about to eat dessert first.”
Finn made it through the door and into the living room without falling flat on his face, which was a pretty damn good first accomplishment. “I see nothing wrong with starting with sweets. You going to kiss me hello?”
Zach snorted but kept walking into the kitchen area.
Karen blocked Finn’s path, fists balanced on her hips and her brow raised. “You’re either loopy or you’re feeling better than expected.”
“Let’s go with I’d feel even better if I got a kiss.”
Yeah, he was pushing it, but—
Shit. He was pushing it.
