Page 67 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
“I’m fine. What about you guys?” I inquire, checking in on Daisy as well.
She looks rattled, as do the rest of the kids.
“We’re okay,” she assures me.
Frida, who had been locked out as well, joins us, and together we’re able to calm the kids down. Not much teaching goes on after, so we just play singing games until it’s time for pickup.
Zane comes back a few minutes before class ends, and he looks livid. His knuckles are bruised and he’s wearing a different shirt. I don’t even want to know why he changed.
He pulls me aside and hugs me tight. “I am so sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“I was too late.”
I cup his face and make him look at me, shaking my head at him. “I’m okay. You arrived just in time,” I assure him.
He still doesn’t believe me, so I wrap my arms around him and use my body language to calm him down.
“They will never hurt you again,” he promises.
The conviction in his words leaves no room for doubt. Unknowingly, Zane gave me the strength to stand up for myself, and more than ever I’m grateful to him for always protecting me.
26
ZANE
The moment I have been waiting for and working hard toward the past four years is finally here. Ironically, I’m back in the same city that took away my career in the first place—Austin.
To be honest, I could have done this three years ago, gotten back on the bull, but something was always holding me back. What has pushed me to do this now, you may ask? The return of a certain beauty who is currently gazing at me with those sea-green eyes laden with fear and anxiety.
I reach out and smooth the crease on her brow with my thumb. She forces on a smile as her face relaxes.
“Are you nervous?” she whispers, caressing my cheek.
Unquestionably.
“No.”
“Scared?”
Extremely.
“No.”
“Horny?” she teases with a cheeky grin.
I chuckle as I nod and give her an Eskimo kiss. “With you around? Always,” I rasp out, grabbing her waist and bringing her closer.
“Ew, guys, TMI,” Ella, who is standing behind Ava, exclaims.
I was so lost in my girl’s charms that I forgot that we have people around us.
“Go away then,” Ava dismisses her.
She rolls her eyes at us but doesn’t budge.
With our teasing mood ruined, I notice Ava’s countenance darken just before she utters words that absolutely shatter me.
