The Bad Boy's Second Chance

Chapter five

Abby

It has been four days. Four days since, Casey mentioned fixing the fence. Four days since, he told me that he would do anything for, a second chance. And honestly, he has been doing a good job so, far. He has started taking down the old fence and, putting up a new one. Every morning he would be up before me. And, still, he would return back to the farm to help me out with my chores.

He has learned a lot in four days from, riding a horse to saddling it up. To taking down the saddle, cleaning the hooves and, getting a horse to trust him. It’s been hard for me to concentrate with him walking around in cowboy boots, skin-tight jeans that cupped his butt perfectly and, flannel shirts where he liked to unbutton the first three buttons. And, then that Stetson. I’ve never seen a city boy who can wear a Stetson and, look this good in it.

It has been a real torture.

“Come on, Speedy. Lift up, boy.” I pleaded with Speedy as I was trying to clean his hooves. He kept on pulling his leg from me, giving me the idea that he has been hurt. “Need help?” Casey asked suddenly appearing beside me. “I want to clean his hooves,” I told Casey. “And he doesn’t want me too.” Casey nodded and, then crouched down to help me out.

I cringed when I saw the dried blood on Speedy’s hoof. “I guess that is not a good sign.” Casey murmured. “Not at all,” I replied. “I’m just going to get things to get him cleaned up.” Casey nodded. I left him with Speedy and, ran towards the house and, found what I needed. I returned back to Speedy and, Casey. I was just in time to notice Speedy’s action. He lifted his leg, ready to kick Casey but, Casey was concentrating on cleaning his hoof. “Casey, watch out!!” I yelled dropping the things from my hands and, running towards him.

But, I was too late as Speedy’s hoof connected with Casey’s face. “Casey!!” I yelled as I watched him fall backward. I dropped next to him, grabbing him around the shoulders as he cradled his face. “Casey, show me.” I pleaded. “Casey.” My voice got a little harsher when he ignored me. “I need to see.” I pulled his hands away and, cringed at the sight of him. “Broken?” He asked with a groan. “No,” I replied shaking my head. I touched his nose just to be certain. “It’s dislocated. I need to push it back.” I told him.

“f**k, this is gonna hurt.” I nodded.

“It won’t be my first.” He said with a sigh.

“On three.” He nodded. I counted in my head and, then pushed his nose back into place earning a groan from, Casey. I tore off a piece of material from, my shirt and, held it against his nose. “We need to stitch you up,” I told him helping him up.

I helped him towards the house, into the bathroom and, went to get the medical aid kit from my grandmother. I pulled the cloth away from his nose and, dapped it softly with a gauze. My grandmother then stitched him up. “This is not the first time that we had to do this.” My grandmother told Casey, who bit down on his teeth each time the needle pierced through his skin.

Casey just ignored her as he tried to concentrate on her stitching up his nose. “You are a strong boy.” She said cutting off the thread and, then wiping off his nose with a gauze. “I’ll get the medicine for the pain.” She told me walking off. “How does it feel?” I asked him. “It feels numb for now.” He replied with a chuckle.

“You do know a kick to the head, could have killed you?” He nodded. “I thought I was dying when I found myself in your arms. Panic was written all over your face.” He said with a smile, scratching his head.

“It’s not fun watching someone getting kicked by a horse.” He smiled but, then flinched. “My grandmother would be here soon to give you something for the pain.” He nodded. “You must probably think that I am a wimp.” He said with a laugh. “Not at all. I’ve seen grown men cry as my grandmother stitched them up. You actually took the pain well.”

“So, I guess this happens often?” I nodded. “They forget the first rule. Never stand behind a horse.”

“And, I forgot to check in front of me.” I pulled up my shoulders, letting out a small chuckle. “People around town is probably going to think the wild cowgirl beat me up.” My chuckle turned into a laugh. My laugh caught in my throat when I saw him watching me. “What?” I asked. “For a moment I remembered what it was like making you laugh.” He looked at his lap. “Sorry.” He then said pushing himself to his feet. It looked like he wanted to say something but, then he has chosen not to as he left the bathroom.

I looked at the reflection in the mirror. Before I too, stood up and left the bathroom. I was making my way down the stairs when my grandmother stood on the bottom of the staircase. “Oh, here you are.” She said holding out a small pill container out to me. “Would you be a dear and give it to him?” She asked handing me a small container. I took it from her outstretched hand and, made my way back up with a sigh.

“Casey?” I called softly, knocking on the door. I listened and waited for him to answer. “Casey?” I knocked again. I pushed his door open, my heart gave a little flip. He was stretched out on his back on his bed, his eyes shut. He has fallen asleep. I walked over to his bedside table and, placed the pills down. I looked at his face and, something inside of me stirred. I brushed the side of his face with the back of my hand and, smiled when he nuzzled against my hand.

He always loved doing that. And, there was a time I loved watching him sleep. At a time, I thought that nothing would change my mind of how felt. I’ve loved him more than anything. A part of me wishes that he can move in, here with me on the farm. But, I will only sound selfish if I ask him to give up everything for me. He has never asked me anything like that.

I turned away from and, made my way towards the door when I heard him saying my name. I stopped and, looked at him. He was wide awake. “What happened?” He asked struggling to sit up. “Seems like you passed out,” I told him. “My grandmother sent you pills.” I gestured towards the nightstand. He only nodded wanting to touch his nose but stopped. “I will finish up the chores. Take a break.” I told him turning back around and, making my way towards the door. I pulled it open, walked out and, shut it behind me.