Wrangler's Challenge by Lindsay McKenna

Author:Lindsay McKenna [McKenna, Lindsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Well?” Noah asked Dair as she sat in her chair at the top of the newly created wooden sidewalk in two days. “What do you think?”

Dair was surrounded by everyone as they waited for her to speak. The sun was setting behind the Wilson Range, and pink-edged clouds hung over the peaks, northwest of the ranch. “It looks wonderful,” she told them, smiling. “Thank you so much.”

Shay came and placed her hand on Dair’s jacketed shoulder. “We should have thought about this the weekend we had the arena raising this past summer,” she told Dair. “Because we need to make this place handicap available, too.”

Reese came forward, standing next to Shay. “As soon as the weather turns warm and stays about fifty-five degrees, we’re going to get a concrete truck in here and we’re going to lay a real sidewalk that’s wide enough for two people or anyone with a hardship. It needs to be done.” He gave Dair a fond look. “You just reminded us to put this higher up on our to-do list, is all.”

Dair felt some of the guilt slide off her. “So this was already in your plans?”

“Absolutely,” Shay said, patting her shoulder. “We need a sidewalk so our boots aren’t always either muddy or covered with snow. Plus, we wanted the arena accessible to all people.”

Noah stood on the right side of Dair. “Would you like to give it a whirl?” he asked, gesturing to the gently sloping plank sidewalk.

“Sure,” she murmured. Everyone stood back so that she could maneuver the lightweight chair.

“We also,” Reese pointed out, gesturing down the expanse, “made it less steep for you. We didn’t want you wheeling out of control.” He grinned over at her.

Dair laughed. “Hey, it can happen! Thanks for that, too,” she said as she pushed off, her hands running along the wheels. To her delight, it was wide enough so that the chair, if she made a judgment error, wouldn’t tumble off the edge and tip into the gravel on either side of it, throwing her on the ground. Everyone had been thoughtful about making the sidewalk wide enough, but also used a switchback design to create a less severe incline so she could easily control her movements downhill, and also make it much easier for her to push herself up the path to their homes.

Noah followed her down, a shadowy figure beside her, his boots crunching in the gravel beside the walk. Dair knew he was worried she might need help, but she really didn’t. He hadn’t been around amputees enough yet to realize they are very, very adept at getting around without any help. She could feel his protectiveness toward her and it was like a wonderful, warm embrace. At the bottom, the wooden walkway was built out into a slight fan-like platform, evenly meeting the concrete sidewalk around the arena. It was an easy, seamless transition and she stopped, turning the chair around. Noah stood there frowning, critical of everything, judging by his expression.

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