Loved by the Wounded Rider

Gunner Riley lost his left leg below the knee two years ago and has been refusing the VA's prosthetic fittings ever since. He paints bikes for the Sierra Vipers in a shop with the radio too loud and does not take appointments. Ada Okonkwo is twenty-six, a physiotherapist, and the only person at the county clinic who will take the referral. She drives out to him because he won't come in. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, on her own time. For six weeks it is clinical. Then his prosthetist quits, and Ada has a truck and a free afternoon. Six hours to Sacramento and back, twice. A new leg. A first kiss she did not ask for and does not regret. Gunner's club doesn't think she fits. Gunner has two months of suspension to prove otherwise.