Page 44 of Blue Moon Cowboy
“It wasn’t exactly on my agenda either,” she said, taking a water bottle from the bag she carried and holding it to his mouth. Jason took a few careful sips and felt exhausted when he finished.
The paramedic was busy checking Jason’s vitals and shining a light in his eyes that made him feel like he might pass out or throw up. Either seemed unthinkable with Lainey sitting beside him, giving him worried glances between her reassuring smiles.
Frankly, he was surprised they’d let her ride with him in the ambulance, but then again, thousands of people had witnessed her kiss him and cry over him, so maybe that counted for something.
Or maybe Jason was delirious and the whole thing was a dream.
When the ambulance hit a pothole and the jolt to his head made his toenails hurt, he decided, if it was a dream, it had to be more along the lines of a nightmare.
“You’re doing great, Jase. We’re almost to the hospital,” Lainey said, patting his hand like he was a dog. He might have complained if it hadn’t actually felt comforting.
“Some guys will do anything for attention,” the paramedic teased. It wasn’t until that moment that Jason realized he recognized the woman from past rodeos he’d worked in town.
“Hey, Jenny. How are the kids?” he asked, glad he could at least pull the information about the woman from his mental files.
“Growing like weeds, Jason. My oldest will be a freshman in high school, and my baby is starting first grade this fall.”
“They grow up too fast, don’t they?” he asked, grateful he was able to carry on a conversation.
From experience, and seeing hundreds of cowboys get injured over the years, Jason was fairly certain he had a mild concussion. He could move his arms and legs, it didn’t hurt to breathe, and he had most of his wits about him. Enough that he was sure he didn’t need a trip to the hospital. The doctor in the medical trailer at the rodeo could have given him the diagnosis without an ambulance ride, but he supposed the fact that he was knocked out was likely the reason for the trip in the ambulance.
When they arrived at the hospital, Lainey stayed beside him as they took him into an exam room in the ER. Maybe they were having a slow weekend, or he’d arrived between waves of patients, but it only took a few minutes before a doctor arrived. Jason was sent for a CT scan, while Lainey promised to wait for him in the waiting room.
An hour and a half later, a nurse wheeled him out to where Shaun and Lainey waited for him.
“It’s just a mild concussion,” Jason said, starting to get out of the wheelchair, but Shaun pushed on his shoulder.
“You stay there while I bring Lainey’s van around.” Shaun dashed outside.
“Do we need to keep you awake?” Lainey asked. Although she looked at Jason, it was clear she was questioning the nurse.
“No. Let him sleep and rest all he can. No working at the rodeo for at least two weeks, doctor’s orders. By then, his bruised ribs should be healed as well, if he behaves himself.”
Jason had hoped the nurse would forget to mention his ribs, but, apparently, she’d treated enough stubborn cowboys to know they didn’t like to stay down and out for long.
“We’ll make sure he behaves. Anything else we should know?” Lainey smiled at the nurse, then frowned at Jason.
“If he gets dizzy, experiences slurred speech, or has trouble with his memory, get him immediate medical help.”
Lainey’s eyes widened, but she nodded. “Okay. Thank you for taking good care of him.”
“He was a tolerable patient for an impatient cowboy.” The nurse patted Jason on the shoulder. “Want a lollipop?”
He glared at the woman. She laughed, then took a little sucker from her pocket and held it out to him.
“Hope you like grape. I’m out of lime and cherry.”
Jason glowered at her, then took the candy from her with a nod. He pulled off the wrapper and stuck it in his mouth. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” the nurse said, then pushed him outside the sliding doors toward Lainey’s van.
Jason didn’t want to seem weak in front of Lainey, but he felt unsteady on his feet when he stood to step into the van.
Thank goodness his son, his girlfriend, and the nurse ignored his protests that he was fine and helped him into the van.
He settled into Lainey’s comfortable passenger seat with a sigh. He had no idea why Shaun was driving Lainey’s van, but he got behind the wheel, and Lainey climbed in behind Jason and took a seat on the sofa.
“It was a good thing you thought to toss me your keys, Lainey. Dad will be so much more comfortable in this than the pickup.” Shaun glanced back at Lainey.
