Page 26 of The Wedding Ranch
“I’ve been really impressed.”
Tinsley leaned over and pointed at Lorri’s schedule. “Oh, I see you have the birdhouse class marked. You’ll love that. I made one last year. I gave it to my mom on Mother’s Day. They do a different design each year, but they are always really cute.”
“I’ve been thinking about that class all weekend. I know exactly where I’m going to hang it in my yard.”
“Great. Well, I just wanted to say hello really quick before I had to go back. I guess I’ll see you in the expo building later.”
“Definitely.” Lorri turned her attention back to the ring. For not knowing a thing about 4-H, calves, or showing animals, Lorri apparently had a knack for picking winners, because her favorites were winning. She was four for four.
She might not be as lucky now that they were moving to the market class, and she didn’t know anything about good or bad traits in cows or steers. She found it all quite interesting though. She had every intention of contacting someone at the county to see how she could sponsor some of this next year.
She glanced at her watch. The time had gotten away from her. There were only fifteen minutes until the birdhouse class. She hated to leave her primo spot, but while the steers were cleared from the ring she hustled toward the exit. She took the map from her pocket to be sure she knew which direction Building L was in from where she’d exited. She spun in a circle, getting her bearings against the vendors surrounding her.
Something struck her at the shoulder and hip so hard it flung her forward. She caught a lungful of red dust gasping for air. Then everything seemed to go in slow-motion. An arm pulling her to the side, in a stronghold she couldn’t escape, and then hitting the ground with a thud that made pretty colors dance in front of her eyes.
Struggling for a breath, she closed her eyes and tried to swallow.
“Are you okay?” The masculine voice was calm, but serious. “Can you see me?”
She blinked. Dirt scratched at her eyes. She wiped her hand across her mouth as she coughed again.
“Here.” Someone shoved a water bottle in her hand. “Take a slow sip.”
She sipped, but cold water dribbled down the front of her shirt. She got the bottle back to her mouth and took another drink.
“You okay, Miss? Can you talk?”
She tried to answer but talking made her choke up.
“Breathe in. Slowly. That’s good.”
Through half-open eyes, she saw a blurry crowd of people gathered around her.
“That’s okay. Get you another good breath. Take your time.Slowly.” The man placed something cool and wet across her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know—”
“Quit talking. We’re right here. Catch your breath.”
She inhaled. Her eyes were still gritty, but the cool rag had taken some of the sting away.
“Are you okay?” His voice was steady.
As her eyes focused, she noticed his tan skin and the five-o’clock shadow shading his cheek. “I think so. Yes. What happened?”
“You sure you’re breathing okay? Take in a good deep breath.”
She did, but her chest burned. “I think I got the wind knocked out of me.”
“The EMT team is coming now. They’ll check you out. I grabbed you and pulled you out of the way.”
“Of what?”
His chocolate-brown eyes danced when he smiled. “One of the steers got loose and came running and kicking down this alley. I was walking by when it happened.”
“Thank you.”
He brushed dirt from her arm. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take you to the ground.”
