Cowboy for Keeps by Debra Clopton Page A

the night at some point and if so, no matter what, you need to stay inside. But you probably won’t see any during daylight hours.”
    “You’re sure?” She didn’t want to specifically mention that she was going to be running early in the morning and that they scared her a little. Okay, a lot. She was a coward. She was running tomorrow. Pigs or no pigs, she was going to pull herself out of this state of lethargy. She knew it was all the oppressed emotions dragging her down. She’d hoped work would help, but so far nothing had helped. Not even God.
    “You’re loosening up. Is the pain ebbing?” She was glad to feel him relax with each motion of her hands.
    “It’s a dull ache right now.”
    “You’ll be glad to know that we’re stepping it up today. We’re going to push harder and then we’ll get cracking on standing up. You’re in great shape, so that’s going to work to your advantage.” No doubt about it, Wyatt was in excellent shape.
    “Hey!” he yelped when she hit a sore spot.
    “Sorry!” Focus, Amanda! Focus! “I thought I had that worked out of there.”
    “That’s okay.” He grunted and shifted uncomfortably. “Just wasn’t expecting it.”
    “So are you a runner?” She asked the first thing that came to mind, venturing another personal question. When he was talking he seemed to loosen up quicker.
    “Before the plane crash, I jogged every day. Plus, I worked out at the gym. It helped with my mental acuity. It’s good to know all that work wasn’t for nothing.”
    So he was a jogger just like she’d thought. “Getting in shape is never for nothing. Have you run any marathons?”
    “I did the Alcatraz Iron Man Triathlon last year. That was my first venture into competitive running.”
    “Your first venture!” Amanda said in disbelief.
    “You tackled a swim from Alcatraz, topped it off with biking and running for your first venture. I am in awe.”
    “Don’t be,” he drawled, glancing over his shoulder at her. “I came in middle of the pack in my age group.”
    The way he said that said it all. He’d gone out to come in first on his very first marathon race. The man had high expectations for himself. To him, middle of the pack was as bad as coming in last. It was all or nothing for Wyatt Turner.
    “I’m still impressed.”
    He grunted. “I’m not.”
    She worked in silence for the next few minutes. He seemed content to relax and let her work.
    Finally she asked him to flip to his back and she placed her fingers beneath his ankle again. “Lift, please. Good. Now, this time I’m going to rotate it. How does that feel?”
    “Tight.”
    “In other words, it still hurts.”
    “That is correct,” he said, tense.
    She smiled at the lawyerly way he’d answered. Not a yes, but: that is correct. “It is getting better. But during the next few weeks pushing your limits will mean pain,” she warned. “It’s the only way to gain full range of motion.”
    He didn’t hesitate at that, but gave her a boyish grin. “If it takes you beating me up every day in order for me to gain back my ‘full range of motion,’ then have at it, Doc. You have my full cooperation.”
    Startled by his smile, Amanda felt lighter suddenly. But full cooperation. She’d believe that when she saw it.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    A manda decided to drive into town during her break that afternoon and check out some of the shops. It was a beautiful Saturday and she felt a little lighter after her morning session with Wyatt. They’d made progress in more ways than one this morning. Her heart had been lifted during their conversation. She knew she made him feel some relief, also, by the time she’d left. Not just physically but mentally. That may have come strictly from the fact that he was about to start putting some weight on his hip. Forward motion for him was all he cared about. She knew the lightness in her heart that had hit her when he’d smiled at her had come from the fact that she loved to see