Cowgirls Don't Cry(78)
She heard Buddy barking wildly as he darted this way and that, nipping at the heels of the cattle, herding them away from the street. Two steers darted past the police line headed for a cluster of onlookers. She kicked her sorrel into a gallop to head them off. Buddy raced past her, nothing but a gray blur. Then everything went into slow motion.
A police car swerved in front of the cows to stop them. The driver slammed on his brakes when he realized he was going to hit them, and he twisted the wheel. The car went into a slide, the tires screaming in protest. Cass’s horrified yell was lost in the confusion. Buddy, intent on the steers, never saw the car. Despite all the yelling, the sirens, the mooing of panicked cattle, she still heard the sickening thud of metal meeting flesh and bone. Buddy yelped as he went flying. Forgetting everything but her dog, she jumped down and ran to the injured animal.
“Oh, Buddy, Buddy, Buddy.” She sobbed, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks, leaving red streaks in the dust coating her skin. “Easy, boy. Easy. Just lie still. It’s going to be okay. Oh, please, God, let him be okay.” She touched his head, and he licked her wrist.
A warm hand gripped her shoulder with gentle fingers. “We’ll get him to the vet’s, Cass.” Chance’s voice cracked but he cleared his throat. “Heidi! Get a blanket!”
Cass didn’t hear Heidi’s reply but moments later, the woman appeared, her stylish heels sinking into the red Oklahoma dirt. She dropped to her knees, unheedful of her stockings and tailored linen skirt. The woman clutched a baseball-print fleece blanket and spread it out next to Buddy.
While Cass stroked the dog’s head and crooned to him, Chance carefully checked for injuries. With the gentleness of a father handling a newborn baby, he lifted Buddy just enough so that Heidi could slip the blanket beneath him. The dog whined but didn’t move. A police officer appeared, and before Cass could tell him off, he picked up one edge of the blanket.
“My car is this way, Mr. Barron. I’ll take the dog to the emergency vet’s.”
“I’m going, too.” She stood up and bent to take a corner of the blanket.
Chance pulled her against his chest. “No, love. You can’t. You need to get the herd back together and get them to the stockyards. Cord will help. I’ll go with Buddy. I promise he’ll be okay. I won’t let Buddy out of my sight.” His arms tightened around her, and he kissed the top of her head. The only way to beat the old man was for her to lead a triumphant parade into the stockyards. She had to do this. For herself. And for the two of them. “Now go do what you have to do. You have to finish this.”
He cupped her cheeks as she tilted her face up, and he dipped his head to kiss her. His thumbs caressed her skin, smearing tears and dirt. “Cowgirls don’t cry, Cass. And you are the finest damn cowgirl I’ve ever had the honor to meet. Now get your pretty ass back in that saddle and ride. Do this for you. For your dad. For the Crazy M Ranch.” For us, he added silently.
Cass drew in a long, shuddering breath. Her chin came up even as she leaned her forehead against Chance’s very solid chest. “Take care of Buddy, Chance. I’ll see you on the other side.”
She stepped back, but he didn’t release her. Not yet. Not until he claimed her mouth again. She clung to him through the kiss and for a moment longer. As his arms fell away, she turned on her heel and strode into the middle of the chaos, her back straight, her head held high.
Red waited nearby, one front foot stuck in the loop of the reins. He stood still as she approached and freed his foot. Grabbing up the reins, she shoved her boot in the stirrup, mounted and settled into her saddle. In less time than she anticipated, all the cattle were rounded up. Several of her riders had been injured, two seriously. A few of the cops suffered cuts and bruises but they were all on their feet. Cass was down to a handful of drovers, the herd was skittish, and they still had just over three miles to go.