Way to make it look worse than it is. What he needs is a stint in a cell away from my girl. Not a doctor.
* * *
“Riley, anything to add?” Grady looked at his brother for an answer, but Riley shook his head.
“No.”
Grady sighed. “All right, you know the drill. Go wait in the back of my car for me.” He gestured to Finn. “You okay to take him over to the hospital, Sassie?”
“Sure, we’ll be fine. Don’t go worrying about us.” But she didn’t move. Instead, she watched as Riley walked to the car and glanced back at Grady.
“Is this really necessary?” she asked the sheriff.
“Ask your mate here. He’s the one pressing charges. I’m just doing my job.”
“Finn, do you not think…?”
“Not now, girl. I need to be tended to by a good-looking nurse. Can you take me to the hospital and we can discuss yon fighter later on when I’m given the all clear?”
“Fine.”
“Grady, how’s this fair?” Audrey spoke up before Sassie could get away. “That guy was all over Sassie and Riley just reacted. You know how Rye feels about her.”
“I know, but it’s not my problem. I have to do what the law says, and you know that. It might do him good to cool his heels in a cell overnight anyway. There’s a difference between beating up a contender for your lady and winning her the clever way. Maybe it will give him time to think about that. Tell Lara I’ll be back shortly to take her home.”
“It’s okay; I can drop her off home in case you get held up. Kind of spoiled the party anyway. I have to get up and get ready for the new horses tomorrow—that’s if Finn still brings them in.”
Audrey’s voice rang in her ears as she guided Finn to the car. You know how Rye feels about her. Holy fecking hell! From the looks he gave her, Riley wasn’t exactly singing her praises. She wanted him to lust over her, not cause fights. How was she going to fix this? Sassie pushed Finn into her car and drove him to the hospital.
Finn was hurried straight through to the emergency room, as the hospital was quiet and nobody was waiting in front of them. He managed to charm even the young nurse who had the job of cleaning up the blood on his face. Sassie watched, used to his ways.
But what was she going to do about Riley?
The plan was to make him jealous, not violent. She may have just stuffed up her only chance at keeping him long term. Now he would probably look at her with disdain and stay clear because she was too much trouble with a boyfriend.
“Sassie, girl.” Finn flicked his fingers in front of her face. “I’m just going with this lass down to x-ray. Try to look concerned for me if it’s not too much trouble.”
She gave him a forced smile. Riley would never forgive her for this, and her next move would be the most important one of her life.
Chapter 18
“You have a visitor.” The day shift officer opened the door. “Boss said you’re allowed out of the cell, but don’t think of leaving before he has a word with you.”
“Thanks, Ben, appreciate it.” His mom’s voice reached his ears and Riley groaned. Fantastic.
“Don’t even think of taking that tone with me, Riley Cooper. I can see what’s going on in that head of yours.” She walked into the cell and handed him a travel mug of freshly brewed coffee.
“Thanks, Mom.” He sat up and made room for her on the cot bed.
“I don’t know what came over you, really I don’t. What on earth were you thinking?” She shook her head and reached for his hand. “After what you told me the other day about wanting Sassie, don’t you think this was the stupidest move you could’ve made?”
“You weren’t there to hear how he spoke about her. Sounded as though she was a head of cattle the way he said he was going to take over looking after her needs now. I saw red.”
“I don’t suppose you thought it would be a good idea to talk to Sassie about it? After all, she’s the one who has the final say in who she’s with.” Beth handed him a toasted sandwich from her basket on the floor. “Acting like a hothead never gets you anywhere, son, you know that.”
He groaned. “Mom, drop it, please.”
Riley looked up as footsteps sounded down the hallway. Grady appeared and leaned on the doorframe to his cell. “Peaceful night?”
Riley scowled and took a bite of his bacon and egg sandwich.
“Here’s the deal. Finn said he won’t press charges if you apologize to him. In person.”
“Fuck that.”
His mother clipped him across the ear. “Not necessary, that kind of language.”
“I hear you, brother, but you really don’t have much choice. If you don’t, the charges stand and you’ll have a day in court. I don’t think you want that, because old man Reese is the only judge we have right now and you two don’t get on.”
“But I thought the council hired that new lady, what’s her name…?” He racked his brains for the name that evaded his memory.
“If you recall, she couldn’t start for another couple of weeks. So it’s Reese or an apology. I’ll give you a bit of time to think about it. Finn will be staying at Sassie’s for a couple of days, apparently, but he’s going to do the horse delivery tomorrow when he’s feeling better.”
“Fine then. Do you have to come with me to make sure I say the right words?” The lump in his throat threatened to make him gag. Having to do this in front of the woman he loved to that
