Page 10 of Lost and Found Cowboy
Her pride was hurt more than her butt had been, but she still imagined she’d have a bruise the next day. “Yes, I’m just not used to wearing high heels.”
“Me neither. That’s why I already changed out of mine and into my Chacos,” Maisie said, pointing to her feet and the black, thick-soled hiking sandals that were a staple in most every woman in Colorado’s closet.
“Smart,” Lorna said, then told her how they were trying to get to the hospital to check on Izzy.
“I’m so sorry,” Maisie said, then kicked off her sandals. “Here, trade me shoes. You can’t be running into the hospital in those heels.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’ve got another little pair of sneakers in my bag. I’m a librarian, comfy shoes and always bringing a book are my lifestyle choices.”
Lorna wrenched off her heels and groaned in relief as she slipped her feet into the sandals. Then she hugged Maisie, and she and Mack hurried from the tent and toward his truck.
He got there first and pulled the door open for her, holding out his arm to help her into the cab, then he ran around the front of the truck and slid inside.
His truck smelled like leather and the woodsy citrus scent of his cologne. There was an empty water bottle in the cup holder and an orange Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup wrapper on the floor, but it otherwise showed no signs that he’d just driven a day and a half, and across three states, in it.
She buckled her seatbelt then sent a quick text to Leni, telling her not to worry, but that she had to run out to check on something with Izzy and she hoped to be back later. She doubted she would go back to the reception, but didn’t want her sister to worry, especially since they didn’t really know anything yet.
She wished she could keep herself from worrying.
Thankfully, Mack was a good driver and was wasting no time as he flew down the highway toward town.
She should probably let it go, but something was bugging her, and she needed to know. “Hey Mack, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“It might be kind of personal.”
He shrugged. “You can still ask.”
“It’s just that so many people at the wedding were drinking and partying. Is there a reason you weren’t?” She was trying to keep her alarm bells from ringing. She’d already spent too much of her life with someone who had a problem with booze. “Do you have an issue with alcohol?”
He hazarded a quick glance in her direction. “Are you asking if I’m an alcoholic?”
“Maybe. I’ve spent too many years living with one, so yeah. I guess I’m trying to ask you that without actually asking you that.”
“You never have to worry about asking me anything. I’ll always tell you the truth. And no, I’m not an alcoholic. But I grew up with one, so I know the effects that can have on a person and on a family.”
“So do I. Not with my parents, but with my ex.”
He nodded. She knew he’d heard the story of how Lyle had taken off with his administrative assistant right after they learned she was pregnant.
“It seems to me that kids who grow up in that kind of environment tend to either follow in the footsteps of their alcoholic parent or go the opposite direction and don’t drink much at all,” he said, his gaze still trained on the highway. “I can enjoy an occasional cold beer with friends, but I don’t drink often. And tonight, in particular, with everyone drinking and having a good time, I wanted to make sure I was sober in case Chevy or Leni needed me for something.”
“That was thoughtful of you. Especially since it turned out that I was the one who needed you for something.”
“I’m glad I could help. This is what friends do, right?” He reached over and took her hand, squeezed it, then let it go. “And don’t worry, I’m sure Izzy is going to be just fine.”
She nodded, but couldn’t help the shiver that ran through her, and she rubbed at her bare arms as if to stave off the cold.
Mack pulled a faded blue and white flannel shirt from behind the seat. “Here, put this on. You already seem cold, and hospitals tend to be chilly.”
She pulled the shirt on and wrapped her arms around her middle, the faded flannel soft against her skin. The fabric smelled like him, and somehow the shirt felt like a warm hug.
The drive into town only took a few minutes then a few minutes more to get to the hospital on the opposite side. Mack turned into the parking lot and found a spot close to the entrance.
She had her door open and was climbing out of the truck before he’d pulled to a complete stop. She heard him slam the truck door and the beep of the key fob, but didn’t slow down. It didn’t take much for his long strides to catch up to her, and he pulled the entrance door open for her then followed her to the check-in desk.
