Page 33 of Wilde Hearts

“Jacob, is there anything you need me to do?”

He shook his head. “Ryan has been taking care of the horses for us, so he should have all of that taken care of. I let him know I’d be coming home tomorrow. If you wouldn’t mind running by his place, though, if you don’t see him at the barn? Just to make sure he doesn’t need anything.”

Wearing a confused expression, Colt asked, “Ryan?”

“Ryan Muster. We hired him a few months back to help your father around the ranch. He’s really good with horses and has been a huge help.”

Lynn flinched after speaking. Her words were a direct hit at Colt, even though we all knew she hadn’t meant them that way. He raised his hand and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Colt smiled at his mother. “You’re fine, Mom. You’re only speaking the truth.”

Ryan Muster was a twenty-two-year-old from Boise, Idaho, who was more of a flirt than my brother Gatlin, and that was saying something. He was handsome as all get out, and he knew it. I’d lost track of how many times he’d asked me out.

Clearing my throat, I said, “I think I’ll go ahead and head back to River Falls.”

Lynn approached me and wrapped me up in her arms. “Thank you so much for everything, Ensley. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

I squeezed her back. “You know you’re both like my second parents,” I said, as I drew back and smiled at her. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you and Jacob.”

She grinned and nodded her head. “I know.”

Stepping back, I walked to the other side of the bed, opposite Colt. Leaning down, I kissed Jacob on the cheek. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better and going home tomorrow.”

He gently patted my hand. “So am I. Thank you so much for being here, Ensley.”

Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I thought about how this could have been a totally different outcome. Thank God it wasn’t.

“Love you, and rest up. Don’t worry about home. Everything will get taken care of now that Colt is home.”

I could feel Colt’s intense stare but refused to look at him.

When I stepped back, I cleared my throat. “Okay, I’ll see you in River Falls.”

Colt stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

“You don’t have to do that. Stay here with your parents. I know how to get to the elevator.”

He frowned slightly, but sat down.

I quickly turned and headed out of the room. My heart thundered in my chest, and I felt like another freaking panic attack was about to come on. I decided at the last minute to turn left, pushed the door open to the stairs, and rushed down them as fast as I could.

I needed to get back to River Falls right now.

And away from Colt.

Actually, what I needed was my mother.

Colt

“Do you need anything?”

My father looked at me from his favorite chair in the living room and smiled. “Colt, you don’t have to cater to me. I’m fine.”

“You had a heart attack, Dad. I’m not catering to you; I’m making sure you’re comfortable and don’t need anything.”

His smile grew. “I appreciate that, son. I’m good. I’m just happy to be out of the hospital and back home.”