Cody was amazed at Stevie’s determination and dedication, not to mention her sheer strength when they reached Raymond’s place. She had mastered the crutches, and when she got to the barn where the horse was, she asked him to set a milking stool beside the horse for her to sit on. Other than that, she wouldn’t let him do anything for her but hold her crutches. She sat on the stool, with her injured leg straight out, and talked to the horse the entire time she unwrapped the old bandage, treated the wound, and then rewrapped it.

“I heard she had a mishap this morning at her house when the floor gave way,” Raymond said. “Most women would be laid up and whining after nearly tearin’ her leg off.”

“Yep, she is strong, but she’s also bossy and stubborn as an old mule,” Cody answered.

“I can hear you, and don’t be calling me old, not when you’re older than me, Cody Ryan,” Stevie told him.

“I see what you mean,” Raymond chuckled.

She finished up the job, stood up, and reached for her crutches. Then she took a carrot from one of the pockets of her cargo pants. “There you go, Buttercup. You were a good girl. In another week, you’ll be running wild again. Only, from now on, I want you to watch where you’re stepping.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Raymond said. “I’ve had my grandkids go over every inch of this place, and they didn’t find any more stray barbed wire. I think what happened is the blizzard blew it up here from somewhere else, and she got her leg tangled up in it.”

“You’re probably right,” Stevie said. “I’ll be back on Thursday to take care of her again.” She turned back to the horse. “And next time I’ll bring you a nice ripe apple.”

“I reckon I could do what you’re doing since you’re wounded yourself,” Raymond told her.

“I’ll be fine by the end of the week and maybe even off these crutches,” she said.

“All right then,” Raymond agreed without an argument. “I’ll feel much better about her if you check her out.”

Cody wanted to pick Stevie up and carry her to the truck, but he respected her pride more than that. He did open the door for her and got her settled into the passenger seat. “Feeling coming back yet?” he asked.

“Oh, yeah,” she told him. “I’m ready for a couple of pain pills, but just the over-the-counter ones, not the prescription kind.”

“And maybe ready to sit on the sofa with your leg propped up on a pillow?” Cody asked as he closed the door and jogged around the vehicle to get into his side of the truck. He started up the engine and glanced over at Stevie. She was pale, and from her expression obviously in pain.