Spurs and Heels Read Online Free PDF

You’re only making it hurt worse by getting so worked up.”
    Ash returned with the icepack. “Here you go, darlin’. Put this icepack—”
    “Don’t you darlin’ me, you—” She growled as she leaned out of the truck, getting right in his face.
    Ash laid his hand carefully between her collarbones, pressing her back into the seat, afraid to touch her anywhere for fear of causing more pain. He looked her dead in the eyes, and she glared right back with her icy-blues.
    “Listen up, darlin’ . I’ve had just about enough. Either you shut the fuck up now, or I’m going to duct tape that pretty little potty mouth of yours closed.” He slammed the door in her face, walked around the front of the truck, and pulled open the driver’s side door.
    “Do you kiss your mama and daddy with that mouth? Shame on you,”
    he muttered then turned to the guys. “We’ll be in the ER for a while, I’m sure. You go on to supper with the girls. I’ll make sure she gets fed and cared for.”
    The guys nodded and waved. Actually, Adam and Jack saluted as he started the truck and pulled out. Ash was sure they could hear her yelling, even after the door was closed with the diesel engine running.
    “If you think I’m going to let you talk to me like that and tell me what to do, you’ve got another think coming, mister!” The fiery redhead went on and on.
    Holy shit, she’s got a mouth on her. Ash suppressed a grin because he was sincerely worried about her injuries and didn’t want her to be in pain. But by damn, he loved a feisty woman.

     
    * * * *

     
    Halfway through town, she finally ran down and became quiet, a little too quiet, he thought. Damn, but she could get going once she’d worked up a good head of steam. He glanced over at her to gauge her
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    condition. She was sitting forward, away from the seat, and it looked like the towel was soaked clean through. He reached out and held the cloth to the wound, which was bleeding again. Her hand was in her lap, and her fingers looked a little swollen. He happened to catch the glimmer of sunlight in a tear as it splashed onto her other hand. Her face was down, and her cheeks were red. More tears splashed, but she didn’t make a sound.
    He turned into the ER patient parking lot. She sat there quietly, cradling her wrist in the ice pack, while he came around to her door and opened it. He finally got a clear view of her face, which was red and blotchy, her cheeks bathed in tears and running mascara. She looked so injured and vulnerable. Broken. Then she made eye contact with him, and his heart lurched when he saw the shame in her eyes.
    “Aww, darlin’. It’ll be all right.”
    In a shaky voice, she whispered, “Ash, I’m—”
    One of the guys must have called ahead because an orderly and a nurse came running to their parking space. The moment to say anything further was lost as she was helped into a wheelchair. Never arguing or insisting that she could walk, Juliana allowed them to help her, but she held onto his hand as they wheeled her in, looking back at him as if she were afraid he might leave.
    They brought her into the trauma room and ordered Ash out to the waiting room to register her. He gave what information he could, deferring most of it to her to fill in the blanks. When they asked what his relationship was to the patient, he lied and told the receptionist that he was her boyfriend.

     
    * * * *

     
    Ash pushed Juliana’s wheelchair out to the truck later that evening and lifted her onto the passenger seat. She was still quiet, and it was beginning to worry him.

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    The doctor had given her something for the pain and had told her to follow up with Dr. Guthrie about her wrist and the bump on her head. He’d cautioned her to not be left alone overnight because of the blow to her head. The medication she’d been given made her groggy, and Ash hadn’t minded sitting with her while she’d dozed.
    Grace must’ve called Evelyn and given her the rundown