Page 28 of The Wedding Ranch
“Hi, I’m Diane.”
Lorri hadn’t noticed the other woman standing there. Maybe she did need to take a minute to get her senses back.
“Ryder is my brother,” Diane said. “I can give you a ridehome. We’re friends of Tinsley’s. She said you live down from her folks’ place. It’s right on my way home.”
Lorri shook her head. “That’s not necessary, I really do feel fine. Wait. Do I know you?”
“I’m the veterinarian. You look familiar too.”
“That’s it,” Lorri said. “Yes. It’s so nice to see you again. You took care of my mastiff. Mister.”
“I remember him. What a great dog. I hope y’all are getting settled in.”
“We are. Thanks.”
“Glad you’re up,” Ryder interrupted. “You scared me.”
Lorri realized now that he was the guy Tinsley had been talking to earlier. “I’m so sorry. I should have been watching where I was going.”
“Well, yeah, that, but your lips.” He pointed to her face. “They’re blue. I thought you couldn’t breathe.”
She touched her lips. “Cotton candy.” She began laughing. “It was the cotton candy. I’m a first-timer. Nobody warned me that I’d end up with blue lips. Next time I’ll get the pink.”
“You almost got unnecessary CPR.”
Maybe she did have a concussion because something about that comment, stone-cold serious, absolutely hit her funny bone and if she was going to receive unnecessary CPR she couldn’t have picked a better-looking guy to offer it. “That wouldn’t have been the worst thing that happened to me this year.”
“Yeah, well I’m sorry I tackled you to the ground. I’d just meant to pull you out of the way.” He looked as flustered as she felt. “I was trying to help.”
Diane piped in. “He was the best offensive lineman we had back in high school. Even got a scholarship.”
“Haven’t had to tackle anyone in a good long while. You weigh a lot less than those guys I use to play with too.”
“Good to know,” Lorri said. “Sorry I broke your tackle-free streak.”
“It’s okay. Here.” He tossed something her way.
She raised her arms to catch it. “A T-shirt?” She unfurled it. “Oh, and it’s from… The Wedding Ranch?” Her gut rolled like she was going to hurl. “Oh, gosh. I couldn’t.” She threw it back to him.
“Your shirt’s a mess. At least it’s clean.” He realized the shirt was much bigger than the woman. “It’s too big. Sorry. I just grabbed one. Didn’t think to check the size.” He thrust it in her direction again.
A stolen shirt from The Wedding Ranch? That did seem more appealing. “Thank you.”It’s the thought that counts.“I’m going home.”
“You really shouldn’t drive or go to sleep after a fall like that. I’ll buy you something better to eat than blue cotton candy. I’ve got years of experience with fair food. Besides, we should keep you moving around and make sure you’re okay.”
“I don’t know.” Lorri looked to Tinsley, hoping she’d offer a lifeline.
“And you missed your birdhouse class,” Tinsley said. “You were so looking forward to that.”
“It’s fine,” Lorri said.
Diane piped up. “I offered her a ride home.”
Ryder said, “I know the guy who teaches that class. I think I can pull a few strings.”
“Really?” Lorri responded to Ryder a little more enthusiastically than she’d intended.
“Being a local has its privileges,” he said. “I’d feel better keeping a watch on you in case that bump on the head is anything serious.”
