A Family For The Rancher
Allison B. Collins
Part soldier, part survivor.All man.Nash Sullivan doesn't want help from his father, his brothers and absolutely not from feisty physio Kelsey Summers. Nash lost his leg during his overseas deployment and the last thing a woman like Kelsey needs is half a man. Single mum Kelsey knows that the scars on the inside run the deepest. But she can’t stop thinking about her gorgeous patient. Could Nash be the cure for her own broken heart?
PART SOLDIER. PART SURVIVOR. ALL COWBOY.
Nash Sullivan doesn’t need help from anyone. Not his father, not his brothers and sure as heck not from a physical therapist—even a darn feisty one like Kelsey Summers. He lost his leg during his overseas deployment and he just wants to be left alone. Besides, the last thing a woman like Kelsey needs is half a man.
Single mom Kelsey knows all too well that the scars on the inside run the deepest. She needs to move on from her own tragic past, but the Sullivan ranch is starting to feel a little too much like home. And she can’t stop thinking about her wounded—and gorgeous—patient. Could Nash be the cure for her own broken heart?
ALLISON B. COLLINS is an award-winning author and a fifth-generation Texan, so it’s natural for her to love all things Western. It’s a tough job to spend evenings writing about cowboys, rodeos and precocious children, but Allison is willing to do it to bring them all to life. She lives in Dallas with her hero husband of almost thirty years, who takes great care of her and their four rambunctious cats.
A Family for the Rancher
Allison B. Collins
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-07733-0
A FAMILY FOR THE RANCHER
© 2018 Allison B. Collins
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
This book is dedicated to the best friends and critique partners any author could ask for:
Sasha Summers, Suzanne Clark and Angela Hicks.
Thanks for being on this wild ride with me!
To Johanna Raisanen, thank you for loving my manuscript and bringing me into the family.
And to my aunt Pat, whose comments about a cowboy on the back roads of Colorado inspired the character of Bunny Randolph.
But most of all to my husband, Joe.
Hero, best friend, excellent vacation planner and the love of my life.
You’re the best, Mister!
Contents
Cover (#uc1c06076-409a-52ba-9a93-d223196519aa)
Back Cover Text (#u73bf4c95-0a71-504e-b14f-24951af8d87f)
About the Author (#u14d8bc03-9799-5a8c-b03f-dfab03aa7bd5)
Title Page (#ud80fc2c9-362f-59fa-8391-2ad99fbbbeeb)
Copyright (#u72550c51-17ba-53d8-9c13-addb6d70765a)
Dedication (#ue0d96327-8434-571a-8876-1cbcff4dbced)
Chapter One (#u79644969-d29c-50e9-a1cd-45e16f5199cc)
Chapter Two (#uf14631a4-a72e-5301-93c7-b909d41ec03e)
Chapter Three (#u7434020b-ea46-5020-a4ce-b2f36df363cd)
Chapter Four (#u27c83d95-d272-531f-b762-c6fbd3244547)
Chapter Five (#u2687c923-7a57-5b2b-955e-0f3f527fb726)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#uc3b996e8-e12f-51dc-8708-827a99496851)
Nash Sullivan leaned his head on Thunder’s solid shoulder, the muscles flexing beneath his cheek. The scent of hay, sun and saddle soap brought back a tidal wave of memories. Their first rodeo together, long days of riding the fences, riding bareback out to his sanctuary at the pond. He ached to get back in the saddle again after his long stint in the Army riding in nothing but military trucks and tanks the last ten years.
Now he couldn’t even climb into the saddle. He stepped away, but Thunder shifted, nudged Nash back against his shoulder.
His gut clenched, and while he wouldn’t, couldn’t, admit it to anyone, he loved this damn horse, and for the first time, it felt right being home again.
“Need a mounting block, son?”
The words stung, but he couldn’t let his dad know. Thunder shifted and snorted, stomping the hard-packed Montana dirt in front of him.
He pulled the reins tighter and whispered to the brown gelding. Once Thunder had quieted, he lifted his left leg and guided his foot into the stirrup. Thunder shifted, and Nash tightened his thigh muscles, or what was left of them, to get up. Instead he had to haul his foot out as the horse snorted again and stepped away.
“I told you it was too soon. You’ve only been out of the hospital a few months.” His dad walked up to Thunder and patted his neck. “I want you to take charge of the horses.”
“Now? Why?” He squinted in the sunlight, noticing just how gray his dad’s hair had gotten over the years. Even his beard was gray. But the old man was still fit, with ramrod straight posture and a swagger that showed one and all he owned their guest ranch and was proud of it.
“Curly’s making retirement noises again, and this time I think he’s serious. You still want the job, right?”
“You know I do.”
“Just checking. Last time you said you wanted it, you left for ten years.”
“I was doing my duty.”
“And I’m proud of you for it. But you were seriously injured and aren’t back to normal yet.”
Nash held very still, anger and fear forming a cannonball in his gut.
“Curly and his wife want to move to Arizona by autumn, and I want you ready to step in as soon as he leaves. I’ve hired a physical therapist to come out here and get you in shape.”
“I don’t need a therapist. I’ll be fine,” he said over his shoulder, and handed the reins to a ranch hand. Limping, every step agony, he headed to his truck, yanked the door open and clumsily climbed in. Shoving the key in the ignition, he cranked the engine and stomped on the gas pedal, leaving a spray of dirt and grass in his wake.
Angus Sullivan hadn’t been such an SOB when their mother had been alive. Dammit. Why’d he go and hire a therapist? Images of the last old biddy he’d had to go through physical therapy with at the hospital in Germany popped into his mind. She was another drill sergeant, humorless, cantankerous, dry—same age as his dad.
Slamming to a halt in front of his cabin, he climbed out of the truck and hobbled inside. He locked the door and yanked the curtains closed, covering the wall of glass that overlooked the sparkling blue lake.
The bar on the other side of the big open living room yielded a bottle of whiskey—glass not needed. He’d picked this cabin to settle into because of the bar, and he’d made sure it was fully stocked his second day home.
Turning to head toward the couch, a knife-sharp pain stabbed through his thigh. Gritting his teeth, he stopped and breathed through the throbbing like the old bat had taught him. Once it was under control, he grabbed an ice pack out of the freezer and sat down, hoisting his leg onto the beat-up trunk he used as a coffee table.
He set the ice pack over his thigh, then drank deeply from the whiskey bottle, relishing the heat as it went down.
Tipping the bottle again, his eye caught the sports trophies and silver buckles gleaming on the shelves, mocking him.
Grabbing the remote, he turned the TV on. Bombs exploded as the screen lit up, and he flinched, hitting the mute button as fast as he could. He jabbed at the channel button, but it seemed as if every other station was showing either an old war movie or a sappy chick flick.
“Where the hell are the baseball games?”
A knock sounded at the door. He gulped another swallow of whiskey, decided to ignore it. Probably one of his brothers come to tell him to apologize to their dad. Well, screw that. I ain’t in the mood.
Another knock and he swigged more whiskey.
This time someone pounded on the door. He stood and had to catch his balance on the arm of the couch, then limped to the front door, every step burning his thigh. He yanked the door open, saw his youngest brother standing on the stoop.
“What the hell do you want, Hunter? I’m not apologizing to him. Now leave me alone.” He started to slam the door when Hunter moved aside, revealing a petite woman standing on the porch.
Her black hair was braided, the tail curving over her shoulder and down almost to her waist, but a few strands had escaped and blew in the breeze, teasing her sculpted cheekbones. Startling blue eyes stared at him long enough to make him almost ashamed of his snarls.
“Ma’am,” he said, the manners his momma ingrained in him bursting forth.
“This is Kelsey Summers,” Hunter said, putting a hand on her back to guide her past him, shoving Nash back a few steps. “She’s your therapist.”
His temper peaked again, hitting the boiling point. “I told him I don’t need a therapist. You can go now.” Tilting the bottle again, he drained the last of it. He wavered, tempted to leave them there so he could grab a full bottle, or shove them out first. Another pain slashed through his leg, and the question was settled—whiskey first.
But he turned too quickly, and his leg couldn’t keep up. He went down hard on his good knee, and his thigh went from simmering to burning hot.
Hunter rushed over and grabbed his arm, but Nash shoved him away, cursing a blue streak.
Hunter backed away, hands held up. “Hey, bro. Just trying to help.”
“I don’t need your help, or Dad’s help, or this woman’s help.” He blew out a breath and braced his arm on the side table to stand up. Wincing, he gently put weight on his bad leg.
“Why don’t I be the judge of that? Come on and sit down.” Kelsey gestured toward the couch.
Her voice was quiet, just a little throaty, and held a twang of the South in it.
“No thanks. I’m fine.”
She crossed her arms in front of her and cocked a hip. “Sure you are. Feels like fire racing through your quads, right? Have to be careful when you put weight on it?”
He looked away, hating that she was right.
“Let me just look at it, then you can kick me out if you really think you don’t need me.”
He glanced at his brother, wanting to knock the smirk off his face. “Get out. Little lady here wants to check me out. Might get a bit personal here.” He grinned, but without any humor. Maybe if he made her uncomfortable enough she’d leave on her own. Sliding his arm around her shoulders, he started to lead her to the bedroom.
Kelsey raised her hand up to his and grabbed his thumb, pulling it down, then stepped around to wrench his arm behind his back.
His arm hurt like hell, and he made sure not to move and antagonize her any further.
Hunter burst out laughing. “Well I guess I don’t have to worry about Kelsey out here by herself.” He opened the door and slapped his Stetson on his head. “Call me if you need a rescue, bro.” He slammed the door behind him, and his laughter echoed on the breeze outside.
She let go of Nash’s thumb, then stepped away from him.
He rubbed the offended thumb and stared at her. “Sorry. Just want to be alone.”
Picking up the empty whiskey bottle, she said, “Why? So you can drown your sorrows in this stuff?” She plunked it down on the table. “I’m just here to help you, okay?”
Memories assaulted him of the friends who couldn’t get back to their wives and kids—their lives—because of that last mission.
“Why don’t you take your jeans off and I’ll assess your leg, okay? Do you want to do it in here, or in the bedroom?”
Her throaty voice saying bedroom made him twitch, the first sign of life down there in a long time. Bedroom probably wasn’t a good idea, nor was taking off any article of clothing.
He raised an eyebrow at her.
Red crept into her creamy cheeks, but she stood up straight and picked up her medical bag. “Get a move on, Mr. Sullivan. I don’t have all day to stand around here while you put the moves on me.”
Pretty and gutsy.
He clomped into the bedroom and slammed the door. Grabbing an old pair of gym shorts from the dresser, he stripped out of his jeans. He hauled himself back out to the living room and almost fell onto the couch as a wave of exhaustion hit him.
“Um...”
Dreading to look up and see the pity, he finally raised his eyes to see Kelsey staring at his leg.
“Your dad didn’t tell me you have a prosthetic leg.”
“Souvenir of the Taliban.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“Doesn’t know.”
The silence drew out so long he finally glanced up at her again.
“He doesn’t know?”
“And don’t you tell him, or any of my brothers—got it?”
“How many brothers?”
“Four.”
“And no one knows.”
“Yep. Can we get this over with? Got things to do.”
“Like drinking more whiskey and watching TV?”
He frowned. “None of your business.”
Kelsey sat down on the old trunk and unwrapped the bandage from his left leg. “Oh my God. How long has your thigh been this red?”
He looked down and saw slashes of red interspersed with the white scars. “I don’t know. It’s been hurting more the last few days.”
“Don’t you unwrap it at night and take off your prosthesis?”
Shutting his eyes, he blocked out the image of her removing the hated brace, leaving just the stump of his leg. “No,” he said, his voice strangled in his throat.
“Mr. Sullivan, you need to take better care of yourself. That means taking your prosthesis off and giving your body a rest.”
A cool hand smoothed over his thigh, and he jerked. He stared down at her small hand as she touched the sore spots gently. “I don’t think you have any infection,” she murmured, her hand going a little too close for comfort. “But the fit may be a bit off on this.”
He grabbed a throw pillow from behind him and set it on his groin, folding his hands over it. Glancing at her, he thought he caught a slight smile as she turned her head away, examining the top of the prosthesis.
The persistent ache started to ease off. Maybe he should listen to the docs and follow their regimen. A stab of guilt made him jerk. His men were beyond pain, so this was all he deserved.
She set the leg down on the floor, out of sight. Pulling a bottle of lotion out of her bag, she poured some in her hand and rubbed them together. “This may be a little cool, but it should help ease the aches.” Beginning right above where his knee should have been, she started rubbing slowly.
“I’m not gonna smell girlie, am I?” he asked, embarrassed at having her examine the ugliness he hated day in and day out.
She smiled, and he noticed a freckle above the corner of her lip. He stared at it, fascinated for some reason.
“No, this is the non-girlie type of lotion.”
Why hadn’t he noticed before how pretty she was? Her upper lip hinted at a slight overbite that was strangely arresting. Her small, graceful hands were definitely working some kind of magic.
The front door opened and Kade walked in. “Hey, here’s the DVD you—”
Nash grabbed the old woven blanket off the back of the couch and threw it over his legs. “Don’t you know how to knock?” he snapped.
Kade, his younger brother by a year, glanced at Kelsey as she removed her hands from beneath the blanket. His cheeks reddened, and Nash had to grin—it wasn’t easy to throw Kade off his game.
“This is Kelsey. Dad hired her for me. My brother Kade.”
Kade’s eyebrows lifted, and he looked from one to the other, obviously still at a loss for words.
She stood up, soothing the remaining lotion into her arms. “Hi. Just to clear up whatever thoughts you have running through your dirty little mind, I’m a physical and occupational therapist. Your dad hired me to come out here and work with Nash.”
Kade’s cheeks were on fire, and for some reason Nash took perverse pleasure in the fact that he was embarrassed.
* * *
“NICE TO MEET you, Kelsey.” Kade looked back at Nash. “Why do you still need a therapist? I thought your leg was better.”
A growl erupted from the couch, startling her. She glanced at Nash, alarmed at how red his face had gotten.
“Get out. Now.”
Kade took a step back. “Geez, what’s wrong with you?”
She cleared her throat. “Kade, do you mind leaving? I still need to go over some things with Nash, and have to leave here shortly to pick up my daughter.”
“Sure thing. Nice meeting you.” Kade walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
Sitting back down on the trunk next to the couch, she pulled the blood pressure cuff and stethoscope out of her bag. “Arm, please.” She glanced at his narrowed eyes. “You know, my five-year-old gets that expression on her face when I tell her it’s nap time.”
A look of surprise crossed his rugged face, and he finally chuckled. “Look, I’m sorry.”
“We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot today.”
He glared at her, and she could have sworn steam billowed out of his ears.
“Too soon?”
“Yeah. Let’s just get this over with. I need a drink.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, then through his militarily short brown hair.
“Sorry.” She steeled herself, strapping the cuff to his upper arm. His muscular upper arm. No doubt he’d be a difficult patient, and she’d have to call on all her patience in order to deal with this cowboy. This tall, strong, tough, knock-her-down gorgeous cowboy.
“Hey, ease up, okay?”
Crap. “As red as your face is, I figured your BP would be high.” She turned the knob and air started escaping as she listened for the beats. “It’s somewhat high, but that could be the alcohol.”
“Doubt it. And I’d rather drink than get hooked on painkillers.”
“You won’t get hooked on booze?”
“Nah.”
“So why did you get upset when Kade walked in?”
He looked away. “I never get any privacy now. Someone’s always checking on me. I just want them to leave me alone.”
“They love you, Nash. They’re your family.”
“They’re nosy. I don’t want them around all the time. I spent ten years in the Army, from regular tour of duty on base, then deployed to Afghanistan and stationed in the desert, practically living nose to ass with people.”
“And they might walk in and discover your secret.”
“Maybe.”
“I see. May I ask why?”
“My business. And don’t you say anything. They just think I was wounded, not that I lost the whole bottom half of my damned leg. In fact, I don’t need you to come out anymore. Thanks for stopping by.”
“So you’re ready to resume your life here on the ranch. Ride horses, pitch hay, rope poor baby cows, or whatever you do on a ranch.”
The glare returned to his face, his eyebrows lowering in a scowl over steely gray-blue eyes. He muttered under his breath.
“Sure you weren’t in the Navy?”
“What?” he asked, confusion on his face.
“You swear like a sailor.”
His mouth twitched, and a laugh rumbled out of his chest. “Okay, sorry.” He blew out a breath. “Maybe I do need help, but I don’t know if you’re the right person for it.”
“Why? I’m licensed as both phys—”
“I couldn’t get on my damned horse earlier today. I need someone who can help me do that.”
“Actually, I can. I grew up around horses, so in school I studied equine therapy. It’ll take some time, but we can probably get you back in the saddle. Anything else you want my help with?”
“I haven’t gotten la—”
“Uh-uh, mister. Your dad will have to hire someone else for that.”
He cracked a half grin, and darned if her heart didn’t go pitter-patter. Nash Sullivan was a handful, and she’d have to stay on her toes around him. She’d had love once, and lost it. No use looking for it again.
Not when her husband’s death nearly broke her.
Chapter Two (#uc3b996e8-e12f-51dc-8708-827a99496851)
The next morning, Kelsey knocked on the heavy oak door to Nash’s cabin. She waited, then knocked again. A loud crash reverberated through the door, and she pounded louder. Still no answer. She tried the handle, and to her surprise, it opened. Rushing inside, she scanned the rustic living room and kitchen.
“Mr. Sullivan? Where are you? Are you okay?”
Loud groans echoed down the hallway, and she hurried in that direction. “Mr. Sullivan?” She knocked on the bedroom door. Another loud grunt. “Nash, I’m coming in.” The door opened into a cozy bedroom, and she searched for her new patient in the dim light.
Stepping farther into the room, she finally saw him lying on the floor near the dresser. She hurried over and knelt beside him. “Are you injured? Where does it hurt?”
He shoved her back. “No! I have to go back. I have to get them out.”
It finally dawned on her that he must be caught up in a nightmare. Gently, she shook his shoulder. “Wake up, Nash.” He still wasn’t waking, and the terrified expression on his face scared her.
He flailed an arm and hit her shoulder. She caught his hand and tried to hold it still, wondering how to wake him up.
“Commander, wake up now,” she all but shouted, hoping her voice would penetrate his dream.
Nash’s eyes slowly opened, and he squinted at her. “Where are my men? Who are you?”
She leaned over him and switched on the lamp, bathing the room in light. “Come on, let’s get you up. I’m Kelsey, remember? Your therapist.”
He sat up and scooted back to lean against the dresser, scrubbed a hand over his sweaty face.
Wanting to give him a moment of privacy, she stood and headed into the bathroom. Flipping the light on, she noted a big Jacuzzi tub in the corner and a large glassed-in shower. For being a ranch in Montana, this place sure was luxurious. Dark towels hung on the rack by the shower, and she grabbed a washcloth, ran it under cold water in the sink. She wrung it out and hurried back to him.
He still sat on the floor, his good leg drawn up, arms resting on his knee, hands covering his face. The gray cotton gym shorts he’d put on yesterday were all he wore, and she couldn’t help drinking in his broad shoulders, muscled chest and arms, even the scars crisscrossed on his stomach.
“Here, Mr. Sullivan, let’s get you off the floor.” She bent over to help him up, but he shoved her hand away.
“Leave me alone. Please,” he rasped, his voice strangled.
Her heart broke for him. He had a lot more scars on the inside than out. She sank down on the floor beside him and nudged him with the cool washcloth. “Want to talk about it?”
He took the cloth from her and rubbed it over his face. “Not really.”
“Were you dreaming about the war?”
He finally lowered both arms and looked at her. “What part of ‘not really’ did you miss?”
“I just thought it might help if you talk—get it out of your head.” She stood up. “Come on, we need to get your therapy going.” She reached to help him up, but he ignored her.
Moving slow, he turned on the floor and braced himself against the dresser as he rose. Wood crutches stood in the corner, and he stretched farther to grab them.
She kept still, knowing from the hard lines of determination bracketing his lips he wouldn’t want her help. “I’ll be out in the living room,” she said, and walked out. Other patients had been stubborn about rehab and therapy. She’d just have to keep after him until she won him over.
* * *
NASH FINISHED BRUSHING his teeth and stuck the toothbrush in the holder on the counter. Without thinking, he glanced at himself in the mirror. Anger and despair bubbled to the surface once again as he caught sight of the scars. He’d practically named them—one for each of the men he’d lost.
A knock echoed through his bedroom. “Mr. Sullivan? You okay in there?”
He rolled his eyes but sucked it up and grabbed the crutches, swung out of the bathroom. He strapped on his prosthetic leg and threw on a T-shirt, loose sweats and sneakers, then hauled the door open. “Might as well call me Nash since I can’t get rid of you.”
She smiled. “Stubborn is a family trait, so it comes in handy sometimes. Shall we get started?”
They spent the morning working on exercises to strengthen his thighs, and by the time they were finished, he’d sweated through his T-shirt. Mopping his face off with a towel, he asked, “When can I get back on a horse?”
Kelsey stacked her equipment against the wall. “Let’s shoot for a couple of weeks, okay?”
“That long? I need to be up and riding faster than that.”
“Why? What’s the rush?”
He turned away and paced to the refrigerator. “Strong tourist season this year, and our ranch is full this summer. I need to help.” Opening a bottle of water, he drank deep.
“How long have you been home from the hospital?”
“Few months.”
“And you were in for how long?”
“Five.”
“You don’t seem to understand that recovery from an injury like this takes time. We can’t rush it, or we’ll be doing more harm than good.”
He handed her a bottle of water and opened another for himself. “I need to get to work. I’m out of the military, so I need to earn a living.”
“Nash, please. Talk to your family. I’m sure they’ll under—”
“No. Final answer.” He opened the door. “I suppose you’re coming back tomorrow for another torture session?”
“Yes. And I’m bringing my medieval bag of tricks for you.”
Feisty. “What time shall I expect the full rack?”
“Probably a little later than today. I have to look at a rental property.”
“I thought you lived in town.”
She shook her head. “Just moved here with my mom and daughter, so we’re in a motel until we can find a house. Place I was ready to sign on last night fell through.”
Guilt pricked him. She was driving an hour each way every day to help him, and he hadn’t been very nice. He brushed the guilt aside. It wasn’t like he’d invited her into his life of hell.
“Kelsey, I was hoping I’d catch you before you left.”
Nash turned at the sound of his dad’s voice from the front porch. Kelsey brushed past him, her fresh scent drifting on the air toward him.
“Mr. Sullivan, it’s nice to see you again.”
“Did I hear you’re looking for a place to live?”
“Yes, sir. I am.”
“I have just the thing for you, if you’re interested. There’s a cabin less than a quarter mile from here. Three bedrooms, two full baths, fully equipped kitchen.”
Nash’s temper rose. He didn’t want her here to begin with, and now she was moving in?
“Thank you, sir, but I couldn’t impose on you like this. I have a young daughter, and my mother lives with us.”
Relieved that she’d turned down his dad’s offer, he moved to go back inside.
“No imposition at all,” his dad replied.
What the hell? He tried to catch his dad’s attention and stop this bad idea from going further, but the old man kept talking like he hadn’t seen Nash shaking his head.
Just like always. Angus Sullivan ran roughshod, forcing his way of thinking onto his sons.
“You can live there as long as you like, or until you find a place of your own. It’s just sitting empty right now. And you can put your daughter in our ranch day care. The woman who runs it is fully licensed. One of the benefits we have for our employees.”
“You’re so kind, Mr. Sullivan.”
“No kindness at all. You’re the one who has to put up with my surly son, so it’s the least I can do. In fact, feel free to use any of the guests’ amenities—swimming, riding, cookouts. There’s a party tomorrow night—you and your family are welcome to attend. Our annual midsummer barbecue.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“If you’re through with Nash for the day, I’ll take you over to see the cabin right now. Just follow me.” His dad glanced back at him. If Nash didn’t know better, he’d have sworn there was a gleam in his eye.
“See you tomorrow, Nash,” she said, then got in her car.
“Dad, I don’t think this is a good idea.”
A loud screech, followed by a groan, then a backfire had them both wincing as Kelsey started her car.
“This will keep her from having to drive all hours of the day and night in that piece of shit car. Besides, don’t you want to get better?”
Fury rose, making him grind his teeth. He limped back into the cabin and slammed the door. The rapid-fire staccato of his dad’s laughter dug in deep, and he flinched.
Chapter Three (#uc3b996e8-e12f-51dc-8708-827a99496851)
Kelsey zipped up her jeans and looked in the mirror standing in the corner of her bedroom. Butterflies fluttered in her belly, and she smoothed a hand over the pink-and-white gingham shirt. She hated parties, hated the small talk, hated how lonely she always felt at gatherings now that Rob was gone. He’d been the one to talk to everyone, made sure she was included in conversations and never left her alone. Now she avoided parties like the proverbial plague.
But she’d let it slip to her mom while they were moving into the big cabin by the lake the day before that Mr. Sullivan had invited them to the barbecue. Nothing could keep Bunny Randolph from a social gathering.
“You ready, pumpkin? We need to get going so we aren’t late.”
She turned around as her mom walked in the door. Bound and determined to remain youthful looking, her freshly blond hair was curled to perfection.
“Kelsey Anne, is that what you’re wearing? Why don’t you put on a dress?” The words were punctuated with a swirl of her mother’s flowered skirt.
“Mom, it’s a barbecue. It’ll be outside. In the dirt.”
“But men will be there, honey. Cowboys.”
Her mom’s eyes gleamed, and Kelsey fought not to roll her eyes.
“I’m not interested in meeting any of them. I’ve got my hands full already with my patient.”
“Ooh! I can’t wait to meet hi—”
“Mom, no. He’s not a potential date, lover, boyfriend or husband. He’s my patient, and when he’s back up and running, we’ll be moving on to the next job.”
Her mother’s lips pouted. “I don’t see why you can’t dress up just a little. Show your appreciation for all Mr. Sullivan has done for us. Thank goodness he offered you this cabin. I couldn’t stand being cooped up in that motel one minute longer. I don’t see why the hospital couldn’t have helped out with the cost since you didn’t get the job we moved here for.”
“Once again, it’s not the hospital’s fault they lost the funding for a therapist. I just need to scrimp a little more and we can move on.”
The pout hadn’t left her mother’s red-lacquered lips, so she linked arms with her and pulled her toward the door. “Now we need to head on down to the lodge. Just because I’m not interested in the party doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Okay?”
“All right.”
They walked in to the living room, and Kelsey still couldn’t believe her luck that they’d be living here for the time being. It was like a log cabin on steroids, with luxurious yet comfortable furnishings and plenty of Western decor.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the clear-as-a-bell lake edged with towering trees. This morning she’d been sipping a cup of steaming tea on the patio when two elk had wandered along the lakeshore, stopping to drink as the sun peeked over the mountain, turning their coats golden.
With the pile of debts Rob had left after his death, she hadn’t thought they’d ever get to stay in anything so nice. Especially for free.
Her daughter sat on the floor playing with an old plastic tea set her mom had gotten at a garage sale. Maddy did love setting it up and serving tea to her stuffed animals.
“Come on, Maddy. Time to go.” She ran a comb through Maddy’s black curls and kissed her chubby little cheek.
They piled into her car and drove toward the main lodge, about a half mile away. Parking and getting out, they were blasted by the sounds of a live country band. She spotted Hunter Sullivan as they neared the party, and waved, very glad to see a friendly face.
He nodded his head at her and walked toward them. “Hey, Kelsey. Who’s this little angel?” He tugged on one of Maddy’s dark curls, and she instantly giggled.
“Hi, Hunter. This is Maddy. And my mother, Bunny Randolph.”
“Ma’am, pleased to meet you.” He tipped his hat at her mother, then took Maddy’s tiny hand in his own. “And Miss Maddy, it’s a real honor to meet you. Will you save a dance for me?”
Maddy giggled again and buried her face in Kelsey’s shoulder. But before long, she peeked out at him again.
Why you little flirt. You take after Grandma, don’t you? But then, who can resist a cowboy like Hunter? He certainly was good-looking, and his green eyes sparkled back at her daughter. Definitely a charmer.
Turning around, she looked for Nash, finally spotting him in the shadows. He seemed to be staring at someone. Or more accurately, shooting daggers at them.
“Hunter, who is that over by the speakers?”
He glanced up, then frowned. “That’s Mindy and her husband, Ben. She and Nash dated in college. Till Ben stole her from him. They never come to these parties.” He made a sound of disapproval, his frown deepening. “Why now?”
“Is he still hung up on her?”
“Nah. I think he’s more pissed he lost his best friend than her.”
“They can’t still be friends?”
He shrugged. “Nash hasn’t gone out much—actually at all—since he’s been home.” He frowned once more, then smiled at her and patted his flat stomach. “I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”
They walked to the buffet tables set up near the dance floor. Something roasted on a spit, and the tantalizing aroma made her mouth water. The table was lined with bowl after bowl of salads, from green to three kinds of potato, and pasta salads. Baskets filled to overflowing with buns and rolls were next, then chips and dips. She groaned, wanting to try everything. A carving station with several types of meats sat apart from the buffet line, and she spotted a staggering array of red meat and barbecued chicken.
Nash’s father had explained that while this was a guest ranch, they were also a working cattle ranch.
“Mommy, cake!”
She looked to see Maddy pointing at two more tables loaded with desserts: cakes, pies, cookies and a portable soft-serve ice-cream machine. The Sullivans sure knew how to throw a party.
“Come on and sit with me,” Hunter said, leading the way to one of the picnic tables.
Not long after they’d started eating, three men and a little boy joined them at the table. Each one set their plates down, then tipped their cowboy hats at her and her mother.
“Kelsey, Bunny and Maddy, these are my brothers. Kade and his son, Toby. Wyatt is the ugly one with the long hair in the middle. Luke at the end of the table.”
A chorus of “ma’am’s” echoed all around, and Kelsey was a little overwhelmed at the sheer testosterone flooding the air. Every one of them was tall, dark and really, did they all have to be so ruggedly good-looking?
Bunny preened. “My goodness. I can’t believe one of you big strapping young men is Kelsey’s patient.”
“Mom...”
“No, ma’am. That would be Nash, our oldest brother,” Wyatt spoke up.
“Is he here tonight?” her mother asked.
“Probably around somewhere.” Hunter picked up his fork.
“Uncle Hunter, did you bring the triples?” Toby asked.
Kelsey looked at Toby, a young miniature of his father, with coal-black hair and big blue eyes. Triples?
Hunter shook his head. “Nope,” he said, frowning. “Their mother took them to see her parents.”
“Who or what are triples?” she asked.
Hunter grinned. “That’s what Toby calls my sons. They’re triplets, six years old.” He pulled his cell phone out and pulled up a picture of them.
Three identical faces stared up at her, all mugging for the camera, hanging all over Hunter, who looked like he adored them.
“They’re adorable. When will your wife be back with them?”
“That’d be ex-wife.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. We were in college, she got pregnant, we married, had the boys. But realized we were better off apart. She lives in Billings and we share custody.”
Hunter had befriended her from the instant they met. Tonight she got to know the other two brothers a little better. Luke, the veterinarian for the ranch, kept them all laughing with stories about some of his run-ins with large animals. He had a quick wit and a ready smile, and she had a feeling he didn’t lack for female companionship.
Wyatt, on the other hand, didn’t say much. Some kind of pain lurked behind his hazel eyes. Just like the other men, he was cowboy handsome, although his hair was much longer than the others. But there was an edge to him, a roughness, and it made her wonder what had happened in his past.
Everyone had secrets, which of course made her think about Nash. She picked at her food, kind of hoping he would join them.
As the sky darkened, the white twinkling lights glowed like stars above the party, and the dancing started. The Sullivan brothers started peeling away, and her mother chatted with another couple at the next table.
A short time later, Kelsey excused herself and went to the main lodge to use the restroom. As she walked down the hall following the signs to the ladies’ room, she peeked into the big open room, astonished at the vaulted ceilings crisscrossed by beams worn dark over time. This room, too, had a wall of glass that faced the mountains and lake. The place was luxurious without being ostentatious, and definitely had a Western flair with dark colors, plaids and big comfy furniture.
After washing her hands, she left the bathroom and headed back outside. Nash’s voice stopped her, and she looked around for him. She sneaked a quick glance around the corner of the lodge and saw him talking to the couple Hunter had mentioned to her earlier. It wasn’t polite to eavesdrop, and she knew she should move, but was afraid they’d hear her.
“We were so sorry to hear about you getting hurt over there, Nash,” the blonde woman said.
“Thanks.”
“You doing any better now?” The man clapped a hand on Nash’s shoulder.
“I’m all right.”
“I noticed you walking with a limp—you sure you’re okay?”
“I said I’m fine, Mindy.” Nash nodded once and looked at the ground.
“Oh, well...” She turned and snuggled up to her husband. “Did I tell you my Ben is now president of the bank?”
“Is he? Then I guess congrats are in order. Looks like you ended up with the better man.”
Mindy giggled. “I sure did! I just love my big, strong, handsome man.”
Kelsey winced, and her heart hurt for Nash. Even as she watched, he withdrew into himself and stepped back, his bad leg dragging in the dust.
“I need to go check on something. Congratulations again, Ben. See you.” He turned and headed away from them.
The other couple wandered back toward the party, and Kelsey stood there, trying to decide if she should follow Nash or leave him alone. His state of mind right now was critical to the therapy process. Oh sure. That’s why I want to check on him—it has nothing to do with wanting to get closer to this ornery, attractive cowboy. Decision made, she hurried along the path he’d taken toward the barn.
The door stood open, and she peeked inside but couldn’t see much in the dim light. She finally made out Nash standing outside one of the horse stalls, his hand resting on a horse’s nose.
Seeing him like this, without his defensive posture and hot words at the ready, she hurt for him. He was a man’s man, the sort whose physical abilities defined who and what he was. And right now, Nash didn’t know who that was. When he rested his forehead against the horse’s forelock, his defeat was heartbreaking.
The horse neighed, and nudged Nash’s shoulder as if offering support.
“You wanna get the hell out of here too, Thunder?” There was no gruffness, no anger—only grief. “I wish we could.”
Guilt pricked her conscience. She shouldn’t be here listening to him, so she backed away, but kicked something that clanged.
“Who’s there?” Nash demanded.
“It’s just me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“Why are you here?” He started walking toward her.
“Oh, um. My mother and daughter are up at the party. Do you want to come meet them?”
“I’m not the best company right now. Rain check?” Nash suddenly crashed to the ground in front of her, his foot tangled up in a heavy rope. “Dammit!” he exploded, kicking at the rope.
A high-pitched giggle echoed on the wind outside the barn, and Kelsey stuck her head out the door. Mindy and Ben were headed straight back on a path to the barn. She turned, saw him still struggling to get up. Hurrying over, she knelt down to untangle the rope, but in her haste, she made it worse.
“I can do it,” he snapped, shoving her hand away.
High-pitched giggles floated again, and she reacted. Fast. She swung a leg over his waist and straddled him, sinking down on top of him.
Her move cut him off midcurse, and he stopped, staring up at her, his mouth open. “What the—”
“They’re coming.” She bent forward and latched her lips on his.
He pushed her shoulders up. “What the hell?”
“Just shut up and kiss me.”
He stared up at her as another giggle floated around the corner of the barn. She bent over again and kissed him.
It was the only thing she could think of to save his pride.
His head tilted sideways, and he kissed her back. And oh God, did he ever kiss her back. His lips were just a little rough, and they scraped across her mouth, devouring it. Tingles shot down her spine, up her legs, and swung around to pool in her lower belly.
Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.
She hadn’t been with anyone since Rob died. Didn’t want to be with anyone. But this... God, she’d forgotten how good it could be when two people were attracted to each other.
But Nash and I aren’t attracted to each other. He’s my client. Period.
“Oh! Excuse us.”
A high-pitched voice barely penetrated the fog in her brain. She started to pull away from Nash, but he tightened his hold, slid his hands around her back. One hand drifted down her spine, and he dipped his fingers beneath her shirt, teasing her bare skin.
“I said, excuse us.”
Kelsey slowly sat up, staring at Nash.
He drifted his thumb over her lower lip, and the tingles raced again down her spine. Tilting his head to look around her, he said, “Guess we got a little tangled up in each other.” His voice was all rough, sexy cowboy now, and it did something to her insides.
He looked up at her again and grinned.
She smiled back, oddly pleased he’d included her in an inside joke about getting tangled up.
This is just fake. It doesn’t mean anything... Rob. Think of Rob.
Yet her body had come alive in Nash’s arms, her blood racing, awakening feelings she hadn’t had since she’d buried her husband. She started to climb off him, but he held her in place, so that her most tender spot was right over the growing bulge in his jeans.
* * *
HE HELD KELSEY so she couldn’t scramble off him just yet. She was the perfect shield to get rid of two people he didn’t want to talk to again. And she felt good against him. Too good. He hadn’t been with a woman in a long time. Too long, if the way he’d hardened almost instantly when she kissed him was any indicator.
She stared down at him, her long dark hair hanging down to brush his chest. God, he wished he didn’t have a shirt on so he could feel it. So far he’d only seen it in a braid and hadn’t noticed how long and silky it was. He wanted to tangle his hands in her hair, draw her down and kiss her over and over.
“Nash,” she hissed, and tried to get up again.
“Stay, babe. They’ll leave if we just ignore ’em.” At least he hoped they would, and before she gave in to the panic starting to bloom on her face.
“Well, how rude,” said Mindy. “But then you never were much of a gentleman.”
Kelsey turned her head toward Mindy and Ben. “Some women don’t want a gentleman all the time.”
He looked up at her, shocked at the sexy words. She actually looked pretty shocked, too.
Glancing around Kelsey, he saw Mindy’s face go red. Ben put an arm around her. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s leave them alone. You still owe me a dance.”
The minute the other couple was out of sight, Kelsey scrambled off him and stood, then extended a hand to him. “Come on, cowboy. I need to get back to my mom and daughter.”
He took her hand, slowly testing his balance. Once he was stable on his feet, he tried to catch her eye. “Thank you.”
She looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why did you?”
“I don’t know. Hunter said something about them, and...” She shrugged. “I knew you wouldn’t want them, or anyone, to see you on the ground.”
“Without a good reason, at least.” He grinned.
Pink suffused her cheeks, and she turned away.
“Seriously. Thanks.” Her earlier words registered, and he frowned. “You said before you have a daughter. I assume you have a husband, too. I don’t want him to hear about this and think I’m moving in on his wife.”
“I’m a widow,” she said, so quietly he had to bend closer to hear the words.
“Ah, geez. I’m sorry. What happened?”
“Accident.”
“How long?”
“Almost three years.”
“That’s rough. Do you—”
“I have to go.” She started off at a fast clip, then swung around. “Just know I normally don’t do that type of thing.”
“What type of thing?”
“Throw myself at men.”
She rushed off before he could say anything else.
A cold shower sounded good right now. He needed to cool off, even if she was only pretending for his sake. His steps slowed even further. She’d done it to save his pride. Rubbing a hand across his stubbled chin, he caught a whiff of something light, feminine. Sniffing his fingertips, he groaned.
Kelsey’s perfume.
Everything had happened so fast he hadn’t really paid attention before. Now it was embedded in his nose, and it brought back the feeling of her sitting across his groin. He hadn’t been that turned on in, well...forever.
His leg ached and he wanted more than anything to sit down. Well, he wanted to take her to bed, but that wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
With anyone.
What woman would be interested in him now?
He didn’t want anyone to see him this way. Kelsey didn’t count; she was a therapist. “That’s all she is, and ever will be,” he told himself.
Maybe if he said it often enough, he’d believe it.
The music from the band grew louder with every step he took. A sudden racket from the drums hit fever pitch, and he flinched. The rat-a-tats wouldn’t stop, and he ducked, searching for cover.
Nowhere to hide...alone.
He looked at his hand. Where’s my weapon?
Searching his pockets turned up nothing.
He needed a gun or a knife.
Something.
Anything to fight back.
A hand clamped down on his shoulder.
He wrenched his body back, out of the enemy’s grip. Pulled his arm back to throw a punch.
His dad stood in front of him. “What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you hear me calling?”
Nash looked around the shadowed yard. Pickup trucks of all sizes lined the driveway; flowers bloomed in the gardens.
No desert. No rocks.
No one trying to kill him.
Nausea gripped his stomach, and he broke out in a clammy sweat. He needed to get back to his cabin. This hadn’t ever happened before. His leg muscles threatened to seize up, and he blew out a breath, tried to lengthen his stride. His right foot hit a gopher hole, and he caught himself before he fell.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
His dad’s voice seemed to come from a tunnel, and he tried to focus on answering. “What do you want?”
“Did you get something to eat?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“I didn’t see you up there. Come back and say hello to everyone.”
“No.”
“Why the hell not? They’re our guests, and they all know you. Want to see the returning hero.” His dad clapped him on the back.
A growl erupted from deep within, and he jerked his shoulder away from his dad’s hand, stepped back. “I’m no hero.” Sweat beaded on his forehead, dampened his palms. He needed to get out of there, and now.
“You get yourself back up to the party and play nice.” His dad stepped closer and peered at Nash’s face. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Leave me alone.” He did hurry this time, all the way to his truck. He’d thought earlier he could suck it up and go to the barbecue.
Not now.
He pulled out of the parking area, the headlights flashing across his dad. Nash’s chest tightened. Was that concern on the old man’s face?
Nah. Impossible.
* * *
KELSEY STOOD ON the edge of the dance floor watching Hunter dance with Maddy. He whirled her around, and she hooted with laughter.
She smiled. It was good to see her daughter having fun.
“Maddy sure is taken with Hunter, isn’t she?” her mother remarked.
“She definitely is.”
“Why aren’t you taken with Hunter?”
Suppressing an eye roll, Kelsey said, “Because I don’t want to be taken with any man. I don’t have time for nonsense.”
“But you’re still young and vital—”
“Mother, stop it.”
“I’m just saying, the Sullivans seem to be doing well for themselves. I used the Google earlier to look at their guest ranch, and all the reviews are five star. Wouldn’t hurt to make an effort.”
“I had a husband, and he died. I don’t think...no, I know I’ll never love anyone that way again.”
“Who said anything about love? What about security? Having someone to turn to at night? Not being alone again.”
Kelsey slid her arm around her mother’s shoulder. “I know you miss Dad.”
“Nonsense. I was talking about you.”
Reaching deep for patience, Kelsey cut her words off when Nash’s father stopped in front of them.
“Kelsey, I’m glad you came tonight. I wanted to officially welcome you to the Sullivan Ranch.” His words were for Kelsey, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off her mother. “Who’s this lovely woman with you?” he asked, and took his Stetson off even as he sucked in his stomach.
Bunny preened and fluffed her blond hair. “Why, how kind of you, Mr. Sullivan. I’m Bunny Randolph, Kelsey’s mother.” She drew out all the syrupy sugar of her Southern upbringing as she spoke.
Mr. Sullivan took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “It’s a pleasure meetin’ you, ma’am. Just call me Angus. Both of you.”
Kelsey stood next to them, trying hard not to laugh. Bunny was pouring on the Southern charm, and Mr. Sullivan pulled out his inner cowboy.
He pressed her hand into the crook of his elbow just as the band slowed the tempo down into a Tennessee waltz. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Her mother’s voice had gone breathless, and she put an extra swish into her skirts as they walked away, completely ignoring Kelsey.
“Seems I’m not the only one taken with your family.” Hunter joined her, carrying a sleepy Madison.
She took her daughter in her arms, and Maddy tucked her head against her shoulder. Her arms strained with the weight, and she tightened her grip, hating that her daughter was growing up so fast. And Rob wouldn’t be there to watch.
“I better get her home. Do you think someone could bring my mom home after the party?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take her home. Although—” he broke off and glanced toward the dance floor “—my dad may beat me to it. They seem to be gettin’ along pretty good.”
Angus twirled her mom around the floor, then dipped her. Bunny squealed and laughed, beaming up at him.
There she goes, flirting again. On the one hand, she needed this job, but on the other, she needed to get Nash up to speed so they could move on before Bunny got too attached. Again. She drew men to her like bees to honeysuckle, and she loved it.
“You go on ahead and take your daughter home. I’ll make sure your mom is fine. Sleep tight.” He kissed her cheek, then smoothed a gentle hand down Maddy’s back.
“Thanks, Hunter. I appreciate you doing that. And for keeping Maddy entertained. She loved dancing with you. Good night.”
Once she had Maddy buckled into the car seat, she leaned against the driver door and looked up at the sky. There had to be more than a billion stars. She’d never seen so many, or so clearly. Montana could definitely grow on her. Not humid at all like back home in Florida. No lights, except from the ranch. Inhaling a deep breath, she smelled nothing but clean air, hay and wood smoke.
A cow mooed not too far away, followed by a coyote’s long undulating howl. Chills snaked down her back, and she climbed into the car quickly and started it, making a mental note to make sure Maddy never went outside alone.
Once she’d reached the cabin and gotten her daughter settled, she made a cup of tea and carried it to the porch. She sank into one of the rocking chairs and sipped. What a perfect night. Well, perfectly confusing. Memories of the episode with Nash crashed into her mind, and her blood ran hot. “Why the heck did I do that? He’s a grown-ass man, doesn’t need me to come to his rescue,” she muttered.
“So why did you?”
She shrieked and bolted from the chair, dropping the mug, and it smashed on the wooden floorboards. A shadow detached from the corner of her cabin, and Nash appeared in the dim light shining out the window.
“Don’t do that!” she snapped at him.
“Do what?”
“Sneak up on me and appear out of the darkness.”
“I figured you’d have heard me coming a mile away.”
“Well, I didn’t,” she griped, looking at the ruins of her favorite mug on the floorboards.
“I guess you were too busy castigating yourself to pay attention to the hitch in my gitalong.”
A laugh burst out before she could stop it. In fact, she couldn’t stop laughing and had to bend double to catch her breath.
“What in tarnation are you laughing about?”
She plopped down in the rocking chair and wiped her eyes. “I can’t quite figure you out. One minute you’re twanging up your speech with cowboyisms, then you go and use castigate.”
The light caught his face as he frowned. “I’m not a hick. I may not have graduated from college—”
“That’s not what I meant at all. Your dad came up to us at the party and he pretty much did the same thing when I introduced him to my mom.”
The scowl on his face deepened, and he muttered something under his breath.
“I didn’t hear you.”
“I said he’s always been a flirt, even before my mom died.”
She sobered instantly, uncomfortable. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”
She picked at a loose thread on her shirt. “So why are you out here? Checking up on us?”
“Now why would I do that? You’re a grown-ass woman, ain’t ya?” The corner of his mouth lifted as he threw the words back at her.
“Ha ha. Why are you here?”
“Couldn’t sleep, needed some air. Forgot this was the cabin my dad put you in.” He pushed off from the post he’d been leaning against, looked around. “Y’all settle in okay?”
“We’re just fine. It’s a gorgeous cabin. Hard to believe something like this is out in the middle of nowhere. I’m surprised it was sitting empty and not snatched up by some tourist.”
“Plenty of cabins to go around.”
“It’s an amazing ranch. I’ve always thought dude ranches were small, with rickety, dusty cabins and city slickers wanting to experience a cattle roundup.”
“It used to be that way. But my mom was a dreamer, and she wanted to build this place up into a five-star guest ranch. So, here we are.”
“How come you left here, joined the Army?” His shoulders tightened, and she almost regretted asking him, but the question had been rolling around her head all evening.
He shrugged. “Restless, I guess.”
“I get restless, I take up a new hobby, or go on a trip. Joining the Army is pretty drastic.”
“College wasn’t doing it for me, and Dad and I kept butting heads, so, I left.” He shifted, leaning against the railing. “Did y’all have a good time tonight?”
“Yup. Maddy had a blast dancing with Hunter.”
He grinned. “He’s got a way with kids. Has three of his own.”
She laughed. “The triples. I got a kick out of Toby’s name for them.”
“They’re good kids. So’s Toby.” He looked up, and she followed his gaze to the stars.
The longer he stood there silent, the more she wondered why he seemed to be drawing out his visit. “Do you need anything? How’s your leg?”
He glared at her, the corner of his lip curling up. “I’m fine,” he said, his words clipped. “’Night.” He walked away, his limp more pronounced.
Instead of calling after him, she bit her tongue. He wouldn’t appreciate her treating him like an invalid. Best just to leave him alone.
But now she knew what he tasted like.
Felt like.
How could her body know his so quickly?
Crave it?
Chapter Four (#uc3b996e8-e12f-51dc-8708-827a99496851)
Several days later, after a grueling session with Kelsey, Nash had snapped at her to leave him alone. All he wanted was a soak in a cool tub. But he needed to be outdoors, not cooped up in his cabin. His mind flashed to the pond where he used to go skinny-dipping. The cool water would feel good on this abnormally warm July day.
He grabbed a towel and climbed into the truck, his leg aching like a sonovabitch. He drove to the hidden spot, cursing a blue streak. Good thing his momma couldn’t hear him now, or she’d take a spatula to his backside. He’d loved her a lot, and it nearly broke him when she died. He’d only been ten, and Hunter was barely a year old, with the other three ranging in age between them. No-nonsense, good Christian, but a lot of fun. The light left their house that day.
Seeing the split in the trees that led to the pond, he pulled over and parked. Out of all his brothers, he’d been the only one to consider it his sanctuary. Why hadn’t he come back here before now?
He tried to get out of the truck, and had to lift his left leg out. Yeah, that was why. Damn leg.
Throwing his Stetson on the dashboard, he slammed the door, then picked his way across the uneven ground. About a hundred feet through the trees, the path opened up to sparkling blue water. He wanted in that pond so bad he could taste it. Yanking off his T-shirt, he threw it on the flat rock that sat a few feet up from the water. Leaning against it, the trapped warmth heated his backside, and he stripped off his jeans as fast as he could. Hauling himself onto the flat rock wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped, but he made it.
A flash of light blinded him for a minute, and he realized it was the sun glinting off his leg. He punched the prosthesis, and was rewarded with stinging knuckles.
Rustling from the bushes about six yards to the left caught his attention, and he squinted in the sunlight. Didn’t see anything. Probably some animal coming for water. As long as it wasn’t a bear or a mountain lion, he didn’t care. Unwrapping the binding on the leg, he pulled it off, held it up in the air, tempted to pitch it into the pond.
A bloodcurdling scream split the quiet afternoon, scaring him so much he almost fell off the rock. He looked around for a predator crouching to attack. Standing near the water’s edge was a little girl with dark curly hair.
Screaming.
He froze. What the hell should he do? He was naked, holding a fake leg in the air, with a little girl screaming bloody murder. He grabbed his T-shirt and clamped it to his privates.
“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you. Who are you?”
The screaming continued, and he knew she hadn’t heard him.
He tried to fit his leg back into place, but his hands shook so bad this time he really did almost drop it into the water.
“Maddy! Madison!” a woman’s frantic voice called. Kelsey? A light dawned and he realized this must be her daughter.
“It’s okay, Madison. I know your mommy.” His words were still drowned out by her voice. Her very loud voice.
“Maddy! What is it? Are you hurt?” Kelsey stumbled through another break in the trees. She knelt down in front of the girl and frantically checked her over. “Sweetie, what’s wrong? I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”
The little girl’s screams subsided into gulping sobs, and she pointed at him.
Even though he was a few yards away, he saw Kelsey freeze, prepared to pounce on whatever threatened her daughter. She grabbed a thick stick next to her, leaped to her feet and whirled around to face him.
“Nash?” she asked, looking around the perimeter of the pond.
He waved. “Hiya.”
“Um...is there a wild animal here?”
“Nope.”
“Why is my daughter screaming?”
He held up his leg. “I was getting ready to swi—”
Maddy screamed again, Kelsey dropped the stick and picked her up. She walked several feet away and turned around so the girl wasn’t facing him anymore.
This was the damn reason he didn’t want to be around people. Ever again. They’d see him as a freak. He’d come home to prove he was still the same person.
But even a little girl knew he wasn’t.
He started to climb down, then realized he was still naked. Looking up to ask Kelsey to leave, he could tell she’d just realized he was naked, too. Color swept up her neck, then her face, until she looked like a sun-ripened strawberry. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, her tongue darting out to lick her lower lip.
He hardened instantly and hunched over, trying to hide it with the T-shirt. How could one look from her turn him on so much? Even when she was trying to calm her daughter down? Glancing at the water, he knew he needed to get in there. Fast. Or he’d embarrass both of them to no end.
He looked up to ask her to leave, but didn’t see either of them. Great. He dropped the leg on the rock, wincing as it hit the granite with a clang. Scooting to the edge, he lowered himself into the water, grateful for the freezing runoff from the glacier that fed into the stream, filling his pond.
Scanning the area once more, he was satisfied they were gone. Letting himself go, he floated, the sun heating his front, and the water cooling his back. His muscles relaxed, bit by bit, and the pain in his leg reduced to random twinges.
He let the cold water soothe his aches. If only it could soothe the noise in his head. Squinching his eyes closed, he still heard the little girl’s screams echo in his brain. She’d been terrified of him. Without even opening his eyes, he knew he looked like a monster. Between the white scars against his tanned skin, and no leg—no wonder the poor kid had screamed.
Great reinforcement for not having kids. Not that any woman would want him anyway. He didn’t want to mentally scar the kids he used to want, and hoped Madison would forget what she’d seen an hour ago.
Maybe I can just stay here, never leave this place. A flash of Kelsey’s blue eyes squinting at him as she pushed him in rehab made him think she’d just hunt him down here so she could torture him some more. “Screw her,” he mumbled.
And of course those words made him think about what it would be like to do that to her literally. Not that she’d let him. But considering the way his body reacted just thinking about her, he could at least fantasize in case he needed to take matters into his own hand. The cold water wasn’t helping right now, and he cupped himself, wishing...
“I wanted to apol—”
He jackknifed up, then his foot slipped off a rock, and he went underwater. Thrashing around for balance, he rose up for air, coughing up the water he’d swallowed.
Kelsey stood at the edge of the pond, her hands plastered over her eyes. From what little he could see of her cheeks, they were blazing red.
Great. Just great. Did she actually see me...?
“Why’d you come back? Where’s Maddy?” he asked, moving his arms back and forth for balance, trying to stay upright.
She lowered her hands to look at him. “She’s with my mother back at the car. We finished our picnic and I wanted to say I’m sorry for Maddy’s—” Her hands flew up again to cover her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“That’s really clear water in the pond there. Did you know that?”
“Sure. The water all over the ranch is like this.”
“You can see every rock, every plant, real clear.” She still hadn’t lowered her hands.
He looked down and saw everything magnified in the waist-deep water. Dammit. He started swimming, or trying to, and ended up practically dog-paddling to the edge. The rock ledge loomed over him, and he reached to pull himself up. It had been a long time since he’d been to the pond, and he’d forgotten that to get out, he needed to push off. With his legs.
“Uh, Kelsey?”
“Yes,” she answered, still covering her eyes.
“I need a hand to get out.”
“Oh.”
He waited, could almost see the wheels turning in her head.
“Maybe we could turn this into a session.” She peeked out through her fingers, he assumed to assess the rock, shoreline and find a way he could get out.
“Just get me out of here,” he growled.
“You’re going to have to learn how to do this on your own if you come back here. Might as well start today.”
“Get me the hell out of this pond. Don’t lecture me about rehab. I can’t get out by myself. You think that makes me happy?” If she said one more damn word about rehab, he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.
“Fine,” she huffed, dropping her hands to her sides. She stomped to the edge and held her hand out.
He reached up to grab her hand, and she pulled. Using his foot, he tried to scramble as best he could up the slippery slope.
She gripped his wrist with her other hand and pulled again, just as he started sliding backward. He tried to let go, but she followed him with a big splash and sank underwater. She rose to the surface, spluttering and coughing.
“Kelsey, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”
Her outrage was so absolute he was surprised the water didn’t start boiling around them. Her black as sin hair plastered to her head, and she scooped it out of her eyes.
A tickle rose up his throat, and he tried to cough it back. Which only made it worse. It turned into a snort.
“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” The accusatory finger aimed his way could have been a lethal weapon.
Choking back another laugh, he held his hands up. “No, ma’am. Honestly, I didn’t.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she swiped a hand down her face. “Better not have, mister,” she muttered, heading for the shore.
Another laugh bubbled up, and it felt so foreign, he let it out. Which was followed by another laugh, sounding rusty even to his ears.
She froze and slowly turned to face him. Drawing her hand back, she swooshed it across the surface, sending a tidal wave of water into his face.
It should have pissed him off, but even as he coughed out the water, he admired her feistiness.
Reaching the shore a few yards from the rocky ledge, she turned around to wait for him. “Hurry up. I need to get packed up and back to the cabin for Maddy’s nap.”
He swam forward, cursing himself for being naked.
“The bank is more of a gentle slope here. I’ll put my arm around you, and you lean on me however much you need to.”
God, he hated this. Having to depend on someone to help him grated on every last nerve. And to rely on a woman, any woman, made it worse.
Her hand slid across his back and around his side as she tried to support him, leaving a trail of fire over his slick skin. Oh geez. Think of something else. Anything else besides her hand on me. He pictured the pile of horse manure he’d had to shovel as punishment one hot summer as a teenager just to get him the few yards till he could grab his towel.
He tried not to pant as they hobbled together out of the water. Hated showing weakness, even if she was a therapist. As soon as they were close enough, he leaned forward and grabbed his towel off the rock, wrapped it around his waist. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Her voice sounded breathless, and he glanced up to see her hurrying away. She stopped suddenly. “You okay from here?” she asked without turning around.
“Yeah.”
Leaves crunched as she hurried away, leaving him alone with the crickets. He dried off, then leaned against the rock, looked around the serene setting. This place had always been his sanctuary, a place to be completely alone.
And now it would always remind him of limitations.
And desperate need.
Chapter Five (#uc3b996e8-e12f-51dc-8708-827a99496851)
Kelsey couldn’t settle down, even hours later, after catching Nash in the pond.
Naked.
Scars notwithstanding, his body was perfection. Muscles that in no way came from a gym curved under tight, tanned skin. Even with the scars, he was perfect.
And not someone she should be thinking of in this way. He was her patient.
She’d had her happiness before, even with the heartache. Didn’t want to be with another man. Couldn’t take that chance. Not with her heart, or her daughter’s.
Her mother rushed into the living room. “Are you ready? Is Maddy ready? I don’t want to keep Angus waiting.”
“Mom, calm down. We’re all ready to go.” They’d been invited to dinner with the family at Angus’s house that night. She wondered how much of that invite was finagling on her mother’s part, and how much came from Angus being smitten with Bunny.
She grabbed her mother’s hand, hoping to instill some reality. “Mom, you know we won’t be here all that long.”
“I know, pumpkin. But can’t we make friends while we’re here?”
Suppressing an eye roll, Kelsey packed up Maddy and her bag of toys, and they all piled in her car. She turned the key, heard nothing but grinding. Please, not now. Behave till I can save up some money!
She switched the ignition key off, waited a beat, tried again. This time it groaned to life, protesting the whole way.
Reaching the main lodge a short time later, they were invited inside by a beaming Angus. She scanned the big rustic living room, really hoping Nash wasn’t in attendance. She had the feeling from something Hunter had said at the barbecue that Nash didn’t do many family things since he’d been discharged from the Army.
“Glad y’all could make it tonight,” Angus said.
“It was nice of you to invite us.”
He pulled her aside, away from the laughter of his sons. “How’s my son doing with therapy?”
“We’re working hard every day. He’s really coming along.” At least she hoped so, at this point.
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