Ash’s hair was damp but neatly groomed, and he looked like he’d gotten a little rest after he’d come to bed with her. She’d slept surprisingly well, remembering falling asleep to the feel of his gentle hand stroking her arm. He smiled when he saw that she was awake and came to sit on the side of the bed closest to her. He peeked under the dressing between her shoulder blades.
“How do you feel this morning?”
“A little better. I can’t believe I slept so late. How does my back look?”
“Well, the stitches look like they’re holding up, but you bled some during the night. The bandage leaked a little. You didn’t get any blood on your gown, though.”
“Good, I love this gown,” she replied, relieved but a tad self-conscious in it in front of him.
“Me, too,” he murmured, his eyes twinkling as he smiled.
“Sorry, I probably should have chosen a more modest gown last night, for your sake.”
“Don’t be sorry, darlin’. I think you look beautiful in satin and lace, and if you like it, you shouldn’t have chosen any differently.”
Her cheeks warmed as he replaced the dressing. “Thank you, Ash. Do you think you could help me with a new bandage after I take a shower?”
“Sure, darlin’. I made bacon and eggs, and there’s coffee, too.”
“It was sweet of you to cook breakfast. Most of the time I pick up a taco on the way to work or eat cereal.”
“Come eat while it’s still warm, and then I’ll take the dressing off and help you wrap your cast for your shower.”
Juliana groaned, looked up at him, and said, “Shoot. This is going to be interesting. How am I supposed to—”
Ash smiled good-naturedly. “How in the world are you going to shower? Stitches on one hand, cast on the other, stitches on your back.” She noted the lack of worry on his face.
Juliana sighed as she sat down at the table, watching Ash fix her a plate and put a piece of bread in her toaster. She was even clumsy trying to fix her coffee the way she liked it after he poured it for her.
Solution oriented, she said, “I’ll unwrap my bandaged finger. It’ll be okay. In a few days, those stitches come out. If you can help me a little this morning, then I’ll call Grace or Teresa and ask them to help me tomorrow and the next day. It won’t be so bad.”
When she was ready to take her shower, he closed his eyes like a true gentleman and helped her out of her gown then removed the dressing and waited while she wrapped herself in a bath sheet. He wrapped her cast so it wouldn’t get wet in the shower. She got through her shower without too much difficulty—until it was time to wash her hair. Standing there with the water running, Juliana examined her options. There were none.
“Ash?”
“Yeah, darlin’?” he called, opening the bathroom door a crack.
“I need to wash my hair. I’ve gotten it wet, but I’m…having difficulty. I hate to ask. I know it’s not fair to you, but I need your help.”
“By the time you’re healed, we’re going to be very intimately acquainted, aren’t we?”
Much more intimately acquainted if her throbbing pussy had its way in the matter. “I think so, yes. Do you mind?”
Juliana heard a faint chuckle. “Do I mind? Hmmm, let me think. Do I mind seeing a beautiful woman I’m interested in naked? What do you think, silly?”
“But the circumstances, it can’t be easy.”
“What’s another cold shower? All right, I’m coming in. Are you expecting me to close my eyes?”
“Well, the shower curtain will help. No, you don’t have to close your eyes, just no ogling my goodies.” She scoffed, wondering if that statement sounded as asinine to him as it did to her.
“You know, this is not how I envisioned seeing you naked the first time.”
“Ash, the first time was last night.”
“Yeah, but the lights were down low, and I was trying to not look. I can’t help it this morning if I’m going to wash your hair for you.” He grinned at her as she peeked out from behind the yellow shower curtain.
“How did you envision the first time you saw me naked?”
Oh, sure, let’s just go for full-on torture.
“Well, certainly under more romantic circumstances, and the possibility of me getting naked with you also came up in my fantasies.”
Ooh, fantasies! Juliana giggled as she handed him the shampoo. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.” She turned and held the shower curtain around her hips while he lathered her hair, allowed her to rinse, and then repeated the process with her.
“I’m honored that you trust me like this, darlin’.”
She smiled back at him and said, “I really do, you know.”
“How does this feel?” he asked, gently brushing her injured shoulder blade with his fingertip.
“It stung like crazy when the warm water first touched it, but it feels better now.”
“You’ll need to let it dry completely before we can dress it. It might’ve been a good idea to not get it wet until later today.”
“I forgot to check the doctor’s instructions. I wanted a shower so bad.”
“We’ll make sure it’s dry before we cover it. Okay, you’re all done. Need anything else washed?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
“Maybe on another occasion, Ash. Thank you.”
“Want more coffee?”
“I’d love it. Milk and two sugars.”
“You got it, darlin’.”
He helped her dress and held the blow-dryer for her while she dried her hair. Getting ready took significantly longer than she expected, even with his help. Even though she’d assured him she could make it to work on her own, he’d insisted on driving her and picking her up. He drove her to the store and helped her from his truck, and then he told her he’d be back in a little while with her lunch. She was mildly surprised, having expected him to drop her off and then pick her up that night after he was done.
“No, darlin’. I have to run home and change clothes, and then I’ll pick you up some lunch and bring it back to you. You check in around here and do anything that needs doing. Evelyn is staying until five, and Leah is closing the store at the usual time. Your store runs like a well-oiled machine. I’ll be picking you up at four o’clock.”
“Four o’clock? But—”
“You can come back to the ranch with me, or I can take you back to your place for supper, and then you can get another good night’s rest. I can stay with you again if you like, but one way or the other, Evelyn and Leah are giving you the boot at four o’clock.”
“Uh-oh. I have prescriptions I need to fill.”
“I’ll drop them off for you and pick them up later. Do you need something for pain right now?” She was at a loss at the prospect of him caring for her when she was so used to taking care of herself.
“No, I have acetaminophen in my desk drawer.”
“Good, you make sure and take some. I hate to see you hurting. I’ll see you with lunch in a bit. Sandwiches okay?”
“Um, yeah,” she replied, feeling heat flood her face when he leaned down and kissed her cheek. He was even coming back to eat with her? Wow.
“See you in a little while. Don’t climb any ladders,” he called, looking back at her and giving her a cheeky grin as he walked away. Of course, she did the mature thing and stuck her tongue out at him. He chuckled and said, “Shouldn’t do that unless you’re willing to share.”
He returned at lunchtime in different clothes and freshly shaved with her prescriptions, a toasted ham and turkey sandwich made the way she liked it, and a large sweet tea. She was impressed.
“How are you feeling?”
“Groggy and a little achy,” she replied, thanking him as he opened the antibiotic and gave her a dose.
She looked at him wistfully, thinking that things had definitely changed between them since yesterday. She felt relaxed around him now.
“What is it, darlin’?”
&nbs
p; I wish I could climb up in your lap and let you deal with the world for a little while, big cowboy.
She closed her eyes and shrugged. “I feel wrung out and tired. Maybe lunch will perk me up a bit. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Let me give it some thought, and I’ll get back to you on that after you’re feeling better,” he said with a mischievous smile. “I may have to extract payment from your flesh.”
She did the appropriate thing for once and laughed, then dug into her lunch.
* * * *
Later that afternoon, Ash found her in the stockroom, directing traffic and giving instructions. Her crew stood around her while she assigned their tasks as he stood back and listened quietly.
He could tell her bandaged finger was throbbing again because she had it elevated at her shoulder, and he worried that her back was hurting also because she flinched when she pointed up at the tall racks above her.
Leah and Evelyn nodded, and the others went to their tasks. Evelyn looked up and saw him standing at the door and smiled. Looping her wrist through Juliana’s elbow, she escorted her over to Ash.
“Juliana was just giving us final instructions for the evening, Ash. She’s ready to go.”
Juliana rolled her eyes at Ash and said, “They’re giving me the ‘bum’s rush.’”
Evelyn patted Ash’s forearm and said, “She’s had a busy day and needs to unwind now. Don’t worry about the store, Juliana. We’ll make sure everyone stays on task. This will be excellent experience for Leah. You don’t have a thing to worry about. Now you two have a wonderful evening, and Juliana, go to bed early and get caught up on your sleep.”
“Thank you, Miss Evelyn,” Ash said, tipping his hat to her. He carefully took Juliana’s hand, mindful of her stitches. He liked the way her delicate hand felt in his.
“I’ll get my purse and a couple of other things,” she said as she stepped toward the rear of the store.
“No work. You won’t have time for it,” he said, grinning when she frowned. Busted. “You’re under orders to not bring any work home, either.”
“Was that ‘Mizz Evelyn’s’ idea, too?”
“Yup,” he said with a chuckle. Miss Evelyn had already ratted her out. “Whatever it takes.”
She sighed and then grimaced, gingerly reaching back to her shoulder.
“Does it hurt?” he asked sympathetically.
“Yeah, I’m ready for another pain reliever. It twinges sharply every so often. I’ll go take one and be right out.”
* * * *
Juliana retrieved her purse and her lightweight jacket from the hook behind her office door. She stopped at the fountain and took a pain pill then went in search of him.
The sound of giggling was her first indicator of his approximate location. Left unattended, he was like a magnet to steel. She didn’t see him until she turned the corner as the giggling got louder. Sure enough, five designer-denim-clad, silver-belt-buckle-wearing, low-cut top, cowboy hat and boot-wearing blonde-haired bimbos were all over him like a duck on a June bug.
Chapter Six
Slowly advancing, Juliana eyed how the girls were dressed. Only one of them had an indecently low-cut top. The others were attired nicely, just all-out Western. That was something Ash wouldn’t see her in. She owned two pairs of jeans but no other Western wear, besides an old pair of cowboy boots. Most of what she owned was clothes for work, and Western wear didn’t fit into the mix. Not that she was opposed to owning any, it just wasn’t her style.
She looked at him then, the quintessential cowboy, from his hat to his boots. It was a small wonder that the young women had zeroed in on him. But what did he see in her? A city girl through and through. Okay, so maybe not big city like Dallas or San Antonio, but she certainly was no cowgirl. When he turned those piercing, turquoise-blue eyes on her, what did he see?
She noticed he was talking to the group of girls, his eyes twinkling, a big grin on his face. They giggled and laughed, having eyes only for him as he scanned the store. He made eye contact with her, and she saw a new light come into his eyes, and it made her insides quiver a little. He grinned down at the girls and pointed at her, said something that made them sigh and giggle, then he nodded at them and walked away.
She ignored the gaggle of giggling buckle bunnies, none of whom could have been over eighteen as they openly watched him walk away, ogling his assets. Shoot, if the young ones were like this in town, she wondered what it would be like if he was to participate in one of the area rodeos.
“I leave you alone for one minute, and the women are swarming over you like ticks on a hound,” she said with a chuckle as he carefully gathered her hand in his.
“Oh, they were harmless enough. They’re all friends who are competing in the Miss Tarkett County Fair Queen competition. They’re out looking for sponsors for the contest. They figured I was a rancher.”
“Oh, uh-huh?” she quipped, “And they wanted you to ‘sponsor’ one of them?” She giggled good-naturedly. “Looked like two or three of them wanted to ‘sponsor’ you.”
“Now, now, Miss Juliana, I only have eyes for a certain lovely redhead. I told them they should go see Grace over at Harper’s about getting the ranch to sponsor one of them.”
“That’s actually a great idea.”
“Part of the money they raise goes to charity.”
“That was some sincere fundraising work they were doing just now, ogling your fine cowboy tush.”
Ash smiled and laughed. “Were they checking out my ass?”
Juliana guffawed. “Of course they were. You couldn’t hear them sighing and giggling as you walked away? If any of them had spoons, they’d be eating you right now.”
He drew her closer to him and whispered, “Do you think I have a fine cowboy tush?” with a bit of a growl added in, which turned her insides to mush.
“Um—absolutely,” she replied, going for straight honesty, feeling her cheeks blush all the way to her red roots.
“Really?” He sounded genuinely surprised. He even blushed a little above his muttonchops.
“Yep, totally bitable.” She giggled when he growled again as he held the side door open for her. “What were you saying to those girls when you pointed to me?”
“Oh, that? I was telling them…that I was here to pick up my pretty lady friend,” he said after a little hesitation.
“Oh?” He opened the door of the truck and helped her onto the seat. After he climbed in, he turned to her.
“Bitable?”
She snickered. “Oh, yeah. It’s very nice.”
“Ouch,” he said as he started the truck.
“Mmmm, yummy.”
“Not to change the, uh—subject. But I was hoping to have supper with you tonight, if you have the energy, that is. Would you like to go back to your house and see about that bandage on your back first?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind, Ash. I’ve been worried about it getting infected since I got it wet this morning.”
They returned to her house, and after removing her top and wrapping up in a towel, Juliana allowed him to peel back the dressing and take a look.
“Darlin’, it looks fine, not inflamed or puffy around the stitches like it would be if it was getting infected. Those lacerations looked pretty deep last night. I’m not surprised that it hurts like hell. But all things considered, it looks like it’s healing fine.” He put a fresh dressing on it while she sat on the bed.
“Oh, shoot!” Juliana groaned and pointed to her closet door where a long, red dress hung on a hanger. “I was going to wear that to the wedding Saturday.”
“Now you can’t?”
“It’s a backless halter dress. The bandage will show.”
“Look at it this way, if you wear the dress, you won’t have anything pressing on the stitches.” He went over to inspect the dress and whistled softly as he lifted it from the door. It had an empire waist with a plunging V-necked halter. His fingertip
slid down the neckline.
“I hope you wear it anyway, darlin’. You would look gorgeous.” His emphasis on the last word sent a thrill through her body that centered in her damp cunt. The fact that she was clad in only a towel added to her sense of vulnerability.
She smiled at him, feeling like she might just do that. “You think so?”
“You would be beautiful in it,” he replied, looking back at her. She had a feeling he might have said more but thought better of it. “Wear it for me?”
“I’ll try and find flesh-colored bandages tomorrow. It will look funny if I wear it with white tape and a gauze dressing. The bandage is so big. You don’t think it will look terrible?”
“No, everybody will be too busy admiring your pretty face and your blue eyes to even notice.”
“Sweet talker. Still want to take me out to eat?” she asked, feeling a little better now that she was sure it wasn’t getting infected. The pain reliever must have also kicked in because it hadn’t twinged in a while.
“Sure, if you feel up to it. How does your wrist feel?”
“It ached a little this morning, but it feels fine now. If only I could keep from clunking myself in the head with it,” she said with a chuckle, remembering thumping herself in the forehead as she brushed her hair away from her face several times during the day
* * * *
Juliana and Ash were seated at a quiet corner table at O’Reilley’s and enjoyed their meal and talked for a while. Juliana noticed that Ash had impeccable table manners.
Ash brought up the hours she worked and her need to take time off to heal in the short term, but also for pursuits that were not work related in the long term. It made her uncomfortable, and knowing how thin their staff was spread at Stigall’s, she couldn’t think about taking time off from her current schedule. Out of the goodness of their hearts, Evelyn and Leah were making her time off tonight possible, but this could not become a regular occurrence.
Box Set: The Divine Creek Ranch Collection, Volume 2 [Book 4 - Rosemary's Double Delight (MFM), Book 5 - Spurs and Heels (MF)] (Siren Publishing Romance Collection) Page 24