I'm Fine

                                    

                                          
The pain shooting through your leg was probably the worse you've ever felt in your life. You had no idea if you broke anything, afraid to look down, but you knew you couldn't move it. Having been on a horse since before you could walk, you had never been bucked off like this before. Something spooked your horse enough to throw you up and then off to the side. When you tried to catch yourself, your leg took most of the fall and bent a way no limb of the human body should. 
To make matters worse, you were basically by yourself. It was a Sunday and you had decided to go for a short ride before supper through the pastures. It had been enjoyable and a nice way to relax before starting your week tomorrow morning, but now you were late, and you knew people would start to wonder where you were. 
By "people" you really meant your husband, Kayce. He was probably already out looking for you, but you didn't really give him your plans of where you would be riding out to. A mistake you knew you'd never hear the end of it from him. 
You were able to crawl over to a large rock and lean up against it. Your horse had been long gone, hopefully back to the ranch so they'd know something was up. There was no service where you were at, so your phone was useless, and you mentally made a note to discuss putting in a tower with John. Your father-in-law hated the idea, but maybe this situation would push him in the right direction. 
You heard hooves approaching first, then your name being called out. Sniffing hard you leaned over and could see Rip riding towards you. 
"I'm here!" You called out and immediately he turned towards you, galloping fast. 
"Do you have any idea how worried everyone," Rip stopped as soon as he saw your body. "What happened?" 
He jumped off his horse and walked over to you, leaning down and examining your leg. "Shit." 
"Yeah," You huffed out a laugh. "M'sorry... my phone didn't work, and I can't really move to well." 
"You fall?" Rip took his sunglasses off. 
"Yeah," You nodded. "Something spooked Rusty and he took off somewhere." 
"He's back at the ranch," Rip was back to analyzing your leg. "That's what made Kayce freak the fuck out and send everyone out here looking." 
"I'm so sorry," You groaned. 
"Don't be," Rip stood back up and walked over to his bag. "You'd do it for us." 
Rip radioed in where he had found you. You couldn't hear really well but knew Kayce had yelled something over his line. 
"He doesn't sound too happy..." You sighed. 
"He damn near trampled three wranglers coming out to search for you," Rip shook his head and then called in to the helicopter. 
"Is that necessary?" You asked, frowning. 
"You wanna fight your husband?" Rip nodded to your leg. You grimaced and shook your head no. "They'll be here in twenty minutes." 
"Hey Rip," You waited until he looked at you. "Thanks." 
"You scared the shit out of us," Rip sighed before walking back over to you and sitting down next to you. "Just try to stay still." 
"Maybe you could go with me to the hospital?" You offered, hopeful? 
Rip laughed, "Honey, ain't no one touching you while Kayce is here." 
About five minutes later you heard more hooves headed your way. Rip stood up but with the direction you were facing you couldn't see who it was, but you eventually heard Kayce's voice. 
"She okay?" Kayce soon leaned down next to you, and you felt like you were finally able to let your guard down. His caramel eyes were filled with concern as he took in your leg, body, and then up to your face. 
You felt hot tears roll down your cheeks as you watched him look over you. You didn't even realize he was speaking until his eyes met yours. 
"W-What?" You cried. 
Kayce sighed and you could see his shoulders relax some with the deep breath he took. "I asked if you were, okay?" 
"I'm fine," You sniffed. "I'm sorry." 
"You didn't do anything wrong," Kayce reached up and cupped your cheek with his hand, brushing your tears away with his thumb. "Good thing is I don't think it's broken, but I still want them to check you out at the hospital." 
Two hours later...
You were sitting up in the hospital bed, your leg wrapped and elevated on a few pillows with an ice pack over it. No broken bones, but a small fracture and a whole lot of bruising later, you won't be riding for a while. Kayce shook the doctor's hand as he left your room, Kayce coming back to sit next to your hip on your good side. 
"He said once they do the paperwork, we'll be good to go," Kayce's eyes looked tried. "Glad it's not broken." 
"Thanks for taking care of me," You reached over and grabbed his hand, running your fingertips against his skin.  
"You've done your fare share of taking care of me," Kayce laughed. "This is nothing compared to the stupid shit I've made you have to handle." 
"But I like being the one to take care of you," You smiled, the pain pills had taken into effect a while ago and you didn't really feel much now. 
"Well, you can let me take care of you for once," Kayce leaned in and kissed your forehead. "But how about we take a radio every time we go riding from now on, okay? And no more riding solo while we're in the colder months." 
"Knew that was coming," You mumbled as he pulled back. "Okay, dad." 
"I'm not joking," Kayce gave you a serious glare. 
It dawned on you then. Why he had been gruff with everyone but you, why he had yelled at the nurses when he didn't feel they were doing enough for your pain, why he snapped on the phone to his father when John asked about you, and why he looked at you like he almost lost you even though on a scale of bad to worse...this was just a bad fall. This was about his mom. 
"Kayce..." You trailed off, not really knowing what to say. His mom was a sore subject, for the whole family really. You obviously knew about her, saw pictures, and knew what happened. But you all didn't really discuss her much. There was two times Kayce had a deep conversation with you about her and he cried both times. 
"I'm okay," You whispered to him. You saw the hurt cross his eyes, but he masked it well. "I'm fine." 
"I know," His voice was deep. 
"Kayce," You reached out and pulled on his arm to get him to move closer to you. He scooted closer to you, and you reached up to thread your fingers through his hair behind his neck. "I know why you're so worried." 
"Just a little too familiar," He mumbled. You could tell he was trying to brush it off, but his hands held your sides as he leaned his forehead against yours. 
You leaned up and kissed him softly, holding your lips against his for a few moments. You just wanted him to know you were okay, safe in his arms, and what happened to you was an accident that had a positive outcome. 
There was a knock on your door and a nurse peaked her head in. You leaned around Kayce and smiled at her. 
"You're good to go, Ms. Dutton," The woman smiled at you. "I've got your chair here when you're ready." 
"Thank you," You nodded before turning back to your husband whose eyes looked clearer for the first time since you saw him this morning. "Ready?" 
"Sure you don't want to stay the night?" He asked you. "I can sleep on the couch." 
"No," You shook your head. "I want to be in my own bed with my husband." 
Kayce smiled at you before leaning in and kissing you again. 
"Let's go home then."