An Irish Blessing: The Irish Sisters Trilogy (Montana Sky Series) by Debra Holland

Author:Debra Holland [Holland, Debra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Debra Holland
Published: 2016-11-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

The moment he saw Alana enter the house, Patrick sagged in the saddle, grateful to no longer have to hide his pain. His head pounded, his stomach churned with nausea, and his side ached like the devil had stabbed him with a pitchfork. He suspected one of the horse thieves had taken out his ire over Thunder’s escape by kicking him. He didn’t think his ribs were broken, just badly bruised. Otherwise, Patrick suspected he wouldn’t be able to move or breathe.

With a groan, he dismounted, leading Thunder into the barn and closing the door, all of which taxed his strength. Moving with leaden legs, Patrick led the stud into the stall he’d used last night and removed the bridle. Thank goodness the pail still held water.

Thunder drank thirstily.

Patrick managed to unbuckle the girth without leaning over too far, but he had to grit his teeth to lift off the saddle, hefting it on top of the stall wall. His head throbbed, and his stomach roiled. The move had him gasping and dizzy. He leaned against Thunder until the wave of pain ceased, and he was sure he wouldn’t cast up his accounts.

He shuffled toward Thunder’s head and picked up the pail, carrying it out of the stall and setting it down in the aisle. He staggered to the feed bin and scooped up some grain, making a mental note to replenish Rory’s feed beyond what he’d brought, for he’d surely be staying a few more days with the O’Donnells until he healed.

He’d just poured the grain into the feed bin when he heard the barn door slide open. He turned to see Alana coming toward him. She had an air of determination about her, and Patrick figured he’d best not try to argue her back to the house because it wouldn’t do any good. Instead, he grabbed a cloth and started wiping Thunder’s back.

“What are ye doing?” Her voice rose.

He kept his gaze on his task. “Seeing to my horse like a man’s supposed to.” He couldn’t help the bite to his tone.

Alana grabbed the cloth from him. “I’ll do that!” With her hip, she shoved him aside.

He couldn’t help a hiss of pain.

She stopped and stared at him, eyes wide in obvious consternation. “Patrick, I’m so sorry!”

Clenching his jaw, he held up a hand in a forgiving motion.

Her eyes narrowed, and she shook the rag in his face. “Ye shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Far worse would have to be done to me before I’d neglect my horse. Besides treating him right as a man should his faithful mount, the majority of my livelihood comes from Thunder—not just the stud fees for his services but also the purses he wins in races.” He ran a hand down Thunder’s sleek shoulder. “His loss would have devastated me.”

The horse turned and snuffled at Patrick’s arm.

“He’s irreplaceable.”

Her mouth formed into an O.

Patrick wanted to bend and kiss her but figured by the time he got his stiff body to move, she’d step away, and he’d be smooching air.

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