Kelly grimaced as she looked at the clock. 7:52. There was no way she would make it now. There was nothing worse than being called in to work on the day you had asked off.
Buzz.
“Nurse? Nurse?!”
“Yes, what do you need?” Kelly spoke into the microphone.
“The water you brought me is tepid,”a crotchety voice rasped, “I thought I said I wanted ice.”
“I'll bring a cup of ice,” Kelly said patiently but the roll of her eyes belied her real feelings.
“I caught that.” Anastasia grinned across the circle of desks. “I'm impressed you didn't mention that you had put ice in the last glass but it melted while she slept.”
“That would just make her want to stay up and she needs to sleep. I need her to sleep.” Kelly shook her head ruefully, “This is a hospital not a nursing home. I'm not sure this lady has any other ailment besides a sever case of grumpiness.” She heaved a sigh as she stood.
“You're usually more patient. Sorry you couldn't go to your thing tonight. But they have bull riding every weekend, right?”
Kelly nodded and quickly turned, hiding the tears that sprang to her eyes as she walked away. She would rather die than explain that a certain man from her past would be riding here tonight only.
Kelly grabbed a cup and pushed it against the ice release. She'd always been a firm believer in fate. She had thought she and Cody were destined for each other. How else could you explain their connection? Their perfectly fated meeting?
But then life happened. She couldn't really pinpoint the end, they had just drifted apart. Sometimes long-distance did that. But they had neither one ever married and barely even dated anyone else; she had his mama to thank for that strategically dropped piece of information.
Loud clinking pulled Kelly back to the present. The ice had overflowed the cup. She hurriedly picked up the fallen cubes and dashed to room 4013.
“It's about time. You finally bring ice for me?” the cantankerous woman asked from deep within the sea of pillows she had requested one by one.
Kelly smiled and gently placed the cup on the woman's tray table.
It was going to be a long night.
*****
Cody looked at the bright lights surrounding the arena.
His hometown rodeo. He hadn't ridden here for years. For the hundredth time tonight he wondered if she was here. Vainly, he scanned the indistinct spectators. A sea of faces.
“Next up, a cowboy returning for one night only to ride for family and friends before heading off to nationals next week. Ladies and gentlemen, Cody MacGuire.”
The crowd roared. His stomach clenched. Was she cheering for him? Right now?
The gate beneath him rattled as Big Red reared, ready to do battle.
“Ready, MacGuire?” the young man next to the gate pin asked.
Cody didn't recognize the guy. He'd been gone for over five years. This man had been a boy sitting in the stands last time he rode here.
Cody glanced at the faces again.
“Ready.” He dropped onto the bull's back. “Pull.”
The boy pulled the pin from the gate and Big Red shot into the arena.
In that instant Cody realized with shock that he wasready. He was ready to find Kelly and settle down for good. After Nationals he would find her. His mind was made up.
That is when the bull threw him.
