Follow a Wild Heart: A Christian Contemporary Western Romance Series by Natalie Bright (macos ebook reader .txt) 📕

She rolled her eyes and smiled but didn’t answer. Instead, she stuffed a big bite of sandwich in her mouth, hoping he’d get off the compliments and move on to something else.

“Been wanting to ask you, Carli, how ’bout we go on a real dinner date to a fancy restaurant?”

“Why?”

“Why? Because I want to spend time with you, and we can get to know each other better. You can pick the restaurant.”

“I don’t know of any fancy restaurants around here, Nate. And I’m not so much into getting dressed up. Jeans, Tee-shirt, boots are fine with me.”

An easy grin played at the corners of his mouth. “Carli Jameson, as I have several sisters, I happen to know girls like to get dressed up sometimes. What about when I first met you at our barbecue? You wore a black dress, turquoise necklace, and, I believe, your grandmother’s turquoise boots. You were the prettiest girl there.”

Gulping her Gatorade in a couple big swigs, Carli felt a mild panic that he remembered what she was wearing the first time they met. She was suddenly anxious to escape. We’ve gotta get going. Any minute, he’s gonna try for another kiss. Time to go.

“I’m done, Nate. Let’s ride.” Carli stood and began gathering up their trash and stuffing things into his saddlebag as fast as she could.

“All work and no play then. Let’s go.” The grin he gave her was almost irresistible. Almost.

They mounted and rode on, stopping to fill their canteens with fresh, clean water at a windmill.

As they walked the horses, Beau’s ears perked and he became stiff legged, didn’t want to move. He was definitely spooked. The other horse picked up on it and then both were listening to something over the rise. They started dancing, their feet skipping up and down.

“Oh, great, what now?” Carli said.

“Just keep him steady. Maybe it’s nothing.”

No sooner had the words left Nathan’s mouth when they spotted a couple of coyotes looking down at them. It surprised Carli that the mangy animals showed more curiosity than fear. About that time the horses got their scent. Beau’s head jerked up.

In a split second, Nathan’s horse reared and then came down hard on his front hooves. He bucked a couple of times. Try as he might, and he was a good rider, Nathan’s body jostled around like a lumpy feed sack full of apples, and then one boot came out of the stirrups.

At that point, Carli knew he was in terrible trouble.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Carli and Nathan’s peaceful ride suddenly took a turn for the worst. She watched the muscles in his forearms strain against his shirt sleeves as he gripped the reins. He tried to bring the horse's head around to one side, but with ears pinned back the powerful animal lunged high. All four hooves came back to earth with teeth-chattering force. Nathan’s balance was off since he’d lost one stirrup. Carli saw daylight between his butt and the saddle, his face set in grim determination. Nathan launched from his horse to one side, hitting the ground with a dreadful thud. The horse spun several times and then took off, disappearing out of sight over the next rise.

As much as Beau might’ve considered following the other horse home, Carli was glad he listened to her and settled down from his dance steps.

Nathan landed on his whole right side, from boot to head. He was covered with dust and some blood trickled on the side of his forehead. His shirt was torn at the elbow.

Carli held tight to Beau’s reins but swung her leg over the saddle and knelt next to Nathan. “Are you all right? That happened so fast.”

With eyes a bit crossed, he looked up at her with a silly grin. “Is this the only way I’m gonna get your attention?”

“Nate, be serious. What hurts? There’s blood on your head. I’ll get you some water.”

“Just don’t let go of Beau. We need him.”

“Can you stand? I’ll help you. Give me a second.”

Keeping a death grip on Beau’s reins, she poured a bit of water from her canteen onto her hand and leaned down to wipe the blood away from the side of Nathan's face. It looked like a minor cut. “Take a sip of water. Is anything broken?”

He swiped her hand away. “I’m not thirsty, but I can’t move my shoulder.” He groaned as he rolled over to sit up, cradling his right arm.

“Are there more coyotes somewhere, like a pack? Will they try to attack us?” Carli couldn’t help but look nervously over her shoulder.

“They usually hunt alone, maybe with one other. They don’t run in large packs like wolves. And it’s super rare for them to attack humans. They’re shy. They’ll leave us alone.” Another groan escaped his lips.

“Wait. Let me help you.” Carli secured Beau’s reins to a tree limb before bending over to help Nathan to his feet. “All right. Can you get up on Beau? I’ll hold him.”

Luckily, if there was any silver lining involved in this incident, Nathan had fallen on his right side. His left leg was still strong, although his whole body was wobbly from the fall, and he was able to place his foot in the stirrup and haul himself up onto Beau’s back.

“Good boy, Beau, stand still. Aren’t you getting on behind me?” Nathan took the reins in his good hand. Beau shuffled a bit before Carli could climb on.

“This isn't working,” he said through gritted teeth. He let go of the reins to hold his arm again.

“Too much pain? I guess every step Beau takes jars your shoulder. Let me help you climb down,” said Carli.

Nathan could only nod, his face pale. After several minutes he spoke. “I’ll call somebody to come get us. Mom and Dad are in Amarillo, but Travis should be home.” He took a sharp intake of breath and sat still for a minute. “Would you get