Beside them, Tony stood stock-still, staring at her arm. Even though she now had it covered, it was clear Tony had glimpsed what lay beneath the cloth.
Rowdy moved to her side and helped her as she tried to stand up, not at all sure what to say. Her collar hung loose at her neck and the other scar was visible beneath. Without thinking of his actions, he reached and gently tugged the collar close to her neck like he’d seen her do so many times. Her eyes met his and there was no missing the pain shimmering in their depths.
“Thank you.”
He nodded, his voice still lodged in his throat with the knot from his stomach. “Hey, guys, I think Lucy’s been a good sport about this. We’re going to call it even. Right?”
“R-right,” Wes said. His blond brows dipped together and his expression revealed that he, too, had glimpsed the gruesome burn on Lucy’s arm. “You just tell us where to show up for art class and we’ll paint a road that no one will be able to forget.”
That got a smile from Lucy. “We’re going to start painting tomorrow. I talked to Jolie yesterday. But—” she grimaced, clearly in pain as she continued to grip her arm “—I’m going to compete in the rodeo just like I promised, so don’t think I’m not going to hold up my part of the agreement. But right now I need to go home.”
Rowdy shot Morgan a glance. “I’ll be back.”
“Don’t worry about us. Make sure she’s okay,” Morgan said, frowning with concern.
“Yeah.” Rowdy jogged after Lucy, who was already almost to his truck. He barely made it there before she did and pulled open the door for her. Without a word, she climbed in and stared straight ahead as he went around to his side. “See you fellas later,” he called to the younger ones who were craning their necks from their perches, clearly worried.
“Tell Lucy she done good,” B.J. called.
“I’ll do that.” Rowdy hopped behind the wheel and had them heading back toward her place within seconds.
She continued to stare straight ahead. When he glanced worriedly at her the second time, she swallowed hard and he wondered if she was fighting tears. If so, what did he say?
“Are you hurt? Those burns on your neck and arm look like they were painful.” What an idiot. Clearly they’d been painful.
“They’re well now. I think my shoulder is going to have a good-size bruise.”
Her voice was soft. He had never been so glad to get to a house in all his days. He practically spun gravel turning into her driveway. He was out and around to her side of the truck before she had time to even think about opening the door herself.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, and headed toward her house, still holding her shoulder.
“Hey, I don’t know what kind of men you’re used to being around, but I’m not just going to drop you off alone after I got you stomped by a stinkin’ cow.”
She spun around. “I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”
What was with this woman?
“Of all the stubborn—” Rowdy stared at her, then marched past her to her front door. Yanking it open, he held it as she glared at him. “After you.”
“Fine,” she snapped, storming past him and through the door. “I’m going to wash my face and change my shirt—if that’s okay with you?” Her eyes were like spikes.