In a Cowboy’s Bed
Page 19
Olive smiled. “Thank you again, Keely, for everything.”
“You’re very welcome. Have a safe trip.”
Keely took a few steps away from Olive before the older woman spoke again. “Use my room, Keely. I’ll put clean sheets on the bed tomorrow before I leave.”
Keely hadn’t considered actually staying in Nick’s house. She figured she’d be there during the day, then go home at night once he fell asleep. If she stayed, she could be sure he didn’t get up in the middle of the night and try to do something he shouldn’t do, like check on his cattle or horses. It wouldn’t surprise her at all if he tried to work, despite doctor’s orders.
The more she thought about it, the more she knew staying at Nick’s house would be perfect in more ways than one. Perhaps spending more time together would let him see her as more than just a friend.
Keely held the bowl of macaroni salad in her hands but couldn’t find a spot for it in the refrigerator. People had been bringing food to Nick’s house all morning, ranging from sliced meats to salads to casseroles to desserts. She’d put a lot of the dishes in the freezer but still had several items that needed to go in the refrigerator. She definitely wouldn’t have to cook for the rest of the week.
“Olive, I can’t find a place for this bowl.”
The housekeeper joined Keely by the refrigerator and peered into the full appliance. “Put the salad in two smaller bowls. You can fit them on the bottom shelf.”
“Good idea.” She closed the refrigerator, set the bowl on the island, and turned to fetch two smaller bowls as Olive suggested.
“Hand me that bowl when you’re through transferring the salad. I’ll wash it and label it.”
“Okay.” When the food started coming in, Olive had grabbed a roll of masking tape and a black Sharpie to put the person’s name on the bottom of the dish, if it wasn’t already marked. “You’re smart to label everything while it’s fresh in your mind who brought the dish.”
“I learned to do that when my Billy died. So many people brought food. I noticed a couple of ladies had marked the bottom of their dishes and I thought that was a good idea.”
The mention of Olive’s husband reminded Keely of when he died ten years ago. She’d been in college, but several of her friends who still lived in Lanville had told her about it. Billy Collingsworth had been the most beloved veterinarian in a 200-mile radius. People from as far away as Dallas brought their animals to him. She knew he’d taken care of Nick’s cattle and horses in exchange for living on the ranch with Olive.
“You still miss Billy, don’t you?” Keely asked softly.
“Every day.”
Keely studied the lovely, petite woman at the sink. Olive could easily become involved with another man. She had so much to offer. “Do you want another man in your life?”
Olive shook her head. “I take care of Nick, I volunteer at the senior citizens center, I have many friends. I’m happy with my life.” She set the clean bowl on the counter, then picked up the roll of masking tape and Sharpie. “When I get horny, I visit Dusty.”
Pleased she’d already set the two smaller bowls of macaroni salad on the refrigerator shelves so she didn’t drop them in shock, Keely stared at Olive over her shoulder. “Excuse me?”
“He’s a stud,” Olive said with a mischievous grin.
Olive and Dusty. Keely never would have expected that. “Are there wedding bells in your future?”
“Heavens, no. I couldn’t stand to live with the man. I just use his body every now and then.”
Keely burst into laughter. She’d always liked Olive, but never knew she had such a wicked sense of humor.
Closing the refrigerator door, Keely turned to walk back to the island. She stopped in midstep when she heard the front door open. Nick’s harsh words traveled from the living room to the kitchen.
“I can do it myself! I’m not an invalid.”
“No, just goddamn stubborn,” Dusty growled.
“Don’t push me, Dusty, unless you want your two weeks’ notice.”
“Just say the word and I’m outta here.”
Keely looked at Olive, who rolled her eyes. “He’s always threatening to fire one of us. We never take him seriously. He’d be lost without me or Dusty.”
Keely didn’t doubt that. She’d been to Nick’s house many times and seen how efficiently Olive ran everything. The house stayed spotless, the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator stocked with food and treats. She doubted if she’d find one dust bunny beneath Nick’s bed.
Thinking about Nick’s bed—and him naked in it—sent a surge of desire through her. She laid one hand over her stomach to try and calm the jumping nerves. No matter how much she wanted him, she knew Nick wouldn’t even think about sex until he began to heal.
Well, he might think about it, but she doubted if he’d be able to act on those thoughts for a while.
“I don’t want to go to bed!” Nick yelled.
Olive dried her hands on a dish towel. “I think we’d better get in there and referee.”
Keely followed Olive into the living room. Nick stood next to the fireplace, propped up on crutches. His eyes looked glassy, the dark stubble on his lower face made his pale skin appear even paler. She had no doubt he’d be on the floor if he didn’t have the crutches for support.
“What’s wrong?” Olive asked Dusty.
“The damn fool won’t go to bed like the doc told him to.”
“Don didn’t tell me I had to go to bed. He told me to rest and keep my foot elevated. There’s a difference. I can rest right here in my recliner.” His gaze snapped to Keely. “What are you doing here?”
“She’s helping me take care of you,” Olive said.
Nick’s eyes narrowed, his lips tightened. “Like hell. I don’t need any babysitters!”
Instead of backing down, Olive took a step closer to Nick. “You need something, because you’re about to fall down. Keely, help me.”
Olive held one of Nick’s arms, Keely the other, and guided him toward the large leather recliner. The fact that he didn’t argue with their help proved to Keely how badly he must hurt. He lowered himself gingerly, his lips pressed together as if to hold back a moan. Sweat broke out over his forehead and above his lips. Keely curled her fingers into her palms to keep from wiping it away.
“Lift the footrest,” Olive demanded.
“God, you’re bossy.” Nick did as she ordered. “Happy?”
“Keely, there are extra pillows at the foot of Nick’s bed. Will you get them while I fix an ice pack?”
“Sure.”
Not sure which bedroom belonged to Nick since she’d never been farther than the bathroom, she had to peek into open doorways until she found the bedroom with pillows on the end of the bed. She grabbed the pillows and hurried out of the room. Bookshelves lined both walls of the hallways, but she didn’t take the time to look at them now. She had to get Nick settled before she did anything else.
“My boys and grandsons will be here first thing in the mornin’,” she heard Dusty say as she walked back into the living room. “They’ll be glad to help me.”
“You’re supposed to be on your way to San Angelo to spend Thanksgiving with your family. I don’t want anyone to come here so you can put them to work.”
Dusty pointed to Nick’s foot. “You just concentrate on gettin’ better and let me worry about the ranch.”
“Damn it, Dusty—”
“Unless you’re serious about giving me that two weeks’ notice, shut your mouth.”
Nick clamped his lips together while he shot a furious glare at Dusty.
Keely decided interrupting what could become another argument would be a good idea, so she stepped up to the recliner. “Can you lift your foot?”
“Yes, I can lift my goddamn foot.” Nick raised it high enough from the footrest so Keely could slip the two pillows beneath it. “Don’t you have to work or something?”
“Nope, I’m off the rest of the week.”
>
“I’m leaving for my sister’s in a few minutes,” Olive said as she placed the towel-wrapped ice pack on Nick’s ankle. “Keely is moving into my room to take care of you while I’m gone.”
“She’s what?”
“You heard me.”
Nick’s furious glare switched to Keely. “I don’t want Keely moving in here.”
Olive patted Nick’s cheek. “It’s adorable that you think you have a choice.”
“Look—”
“Dusty, will you help me with my luggage?” Olive asked, completely ignoring Nick.
“Sure,” Dusty said, looking relieved for the excuse to get away from Nick’s temper.
A moment later, Keely stood next to Nick’s chair, unsure what to say. He didn’t appear the least bit happy to have her there.
She straightened her shoulders. Too bad. She planned to help him, whether he thought he needed help or not. “Do you want something to eat?”
“No.”
“Have you taken any pain medication today?”
He didn’t look at her, but stared into the flickering flames in the fireplace as he spoke. “I can’t take any more for a while.”
“Okay. Well.” Keely cleared her throat. “I have some things to do in the kitchen. Holler if you need something.”
Nick didn’t say anything else, just continued to stare into the flames. With a quiet sigh, Keely turned and left Nick alone.
4
Nick hated feeling helpless. Being propped up in his recliner with his ankle wrapped and iced meant he couldn’t move. He normally led a very active lifestyle. The inactivity wouldn’t be easy.
He wasn’t a big fan of pain either. Despite the medication Don had prescribed, spasms shot through his lower back and down his left leg. He didn’t know which hurt worse—his back, thigh, or ankle.
Damn it, Dusty was supposed to have the long weekend off to visit his family. His sons and grandsons weren’t supposed to come here to help out on the ranch.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” Keely asked from beside him.
Nick dragged his attention from the fire and looked up at her. As happened every time he saw her, his heart jumped up in his throat. She looked beautiful in the long-sleeved, dark green sweater. She had her auburn hair pulled back and held with gold combs behind her ears. Green and gold eye shadow highlighted her eyes; mascara thickened her lashes. No lipstick adorned her lips, but she didn’t need it. Her full lips were naturally a deep rose.
God, he wanted to kiss her so much he ached.
“Why are you here, Keely?” he asked.
“To help you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
Her mouth twisted to the side as she pointedly gazed at his ankle. “Sure, you don’t.”
“I can take care of myself.”
Keely released a heavy sigh. “Nick, Olive wasn’t going to Lubbock if I didn’t agree to stay here and help you. Is that what you wanted?”
He had no idea Olive planned to cancel her trip because of his injury. “Of course not.”
“Then quit your bitching. You won’t lose all your tough man points if you ask for some help while you’re hurt.”
Chin high, she turned and walked back toward the kitchen. Nick could hear cabinet doors being opened and closed, the clatter of dishes and silverware. Apparently, Keely decided to take her frustration with him out on the tableware and cutlery.
Fine. Whatever she broke, he’d replace before Olive returned. His housekeeper would skin him alive if she found any of her favorite bowls destroyed.
Only he wouldn’t be able to replace anything since he couldn’t walk, much less drive, with a broken ankle.
“Shit,” he mumbled.
Nick ran his hands over his face and into his hair. He caught a whiff of smoke. Dusty brought him clean clothes to put on in the hospital, but his hair and skin still smelled smoky. Right now, a shower sat at the top of his to-do list.
He lowered the footrest and bent over to pick up his crutches from where he’d dropped them next to his recliner. Using the handgrips for balance, he pulled himself from the chair. A wave of dizziness had him holding his crutches tighter to keep from falling. Pain galloped down his leg, his ankle throbbed. Nick pressed his lips tightly together to keep from moaning aloud.
Having no choice but to ignore the pain, he positioned the crutches firmly under his arms and made his way down the hallway.
By the time Nick reached the bathroom, sweat covered every inch of his skin. He lowered the lid on the toilet and sank down on it. Standing up in the shower wouldn’t be easy. Keely would help him if he asked her. . . .
No. He could take care of himself. He didn’t need anyone’s help.
With new determination, Nick forced himself to stand again. He propped his crutches against the wall by the toilet, slowly drew off his pullover, and dropped it on the floor. That simple movement made all his muscles scream.
Finger combing his damp hair back from his face, Nick pushed his sweatpants past his hips and down to his knees. That’s when he remembered the elastic bandage wrapped around his ankle. Not sure whether he could get his pants over it, he used the back of the toilet for balance and sat down again to remove the bandage.
As soon as he tried to bend over, a strong back spasm hit. Nick sucked in a breath between his teeth. “Son of a bitch!”
Like it or not, he had to have help. “Keely!” he hollered.
When several seconds passed without her appearing, he decided she hadn’t heard him. Which made sense, since the kitchen was on the other side of the house from the bathroom. Gritting his teeth, he pulled up his pants to the top of his thighs so he could reach his cell phone in his pocket. Keely had given him her cell number a long time ago. He had no idea if she had her phone on her, so he decided to call his landline instead. Hopefully, she would answer it.
Two rings later, she said, “Fallon residence.”
“I need help in the bathroom.”
“I’ll be right there,” she said without hesitation.
Nick couldn’t bend over to get his shirt, couldn’t stand to pull up his pants, couldn’t reach the towels on the shelf above his head. He had no choice but to drape his arm across his groin so Keely wouldn’t be shocked when she entered the bathroom.
A gentle knock sounded before she opened the door. She froze in the doorway, her gaze snapping to his arm. She stared a moment before looking into his face.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “I couldn’t reach anything to cover myself.”
“It’s okay.” She stepped farther into the room. “What are you doing?”
“I want to take a shower but can’t reach my ankle to unwrap it. My back’s spasming like crazy.”
“You aren’t supposed to unwrap it. It needs to be stabilized until you see Dr. Brickman on Friday.”
“I’m not waiting until Friday to shower.”
“You don’t have to. I can wrap it in plastic to protect it from the water. Be right back.”
She returned a minute later with plastic grocery bags and a roll of masking tape. Nick frowned. “I hope you don’t plan to use that tape on my skin. I’m not a fan of having hair pulled out of my legs.”
Keely giggled. “No hair pulling, I promise.”
Tugging off his sweatpants, she dropped them on the floor next to his shirt. She didn’t say anything about his lack of underwear. Dusty had brought him a pair of boxer briefs with the clothes, but Nick saw no reason to struggle into them, so he had stuffed them in his jacket pocket.
She dropped to her knees before him and sat back on her heels. A picture flashed through Nick’s mind of him spreading his legs so she could move between them. She’d run her tongue all the way up his hard dick before taking it in her mouth and sucking it.
Much to his embarrassment, Nick’s cock began to respond to his mental image. He didn’t think that would be possible with all the pain medicine swirling through his system. He shifted his arm to cover his reaction.
“It doesn’t feel good.”
With the lightest of touches, she brushed her hands over his covered foot as if trying to measure his pain through her fingertips. “Are you sure you can’t take a pain pill yet?”
She lifted her gaze. He clearly saw the concern in her green eyes. That plus the sweet glide of her fingers on his leg above the plastic made him forget her question for a moment while he concentrated on her touch. He would love to feel her hands on every part of his body. And her mouth.
His cock swelled even more. Nick forced himself to get his mind off sex and back to Keely’s question. “Not for a couple more hours.”
“What about muscle relaxers for your back? Did Dr. Brickman prescribe some of those?”
“Yeah, but they knock me out when I take them.”
“Rest is the best thing for you now, Nick. I think you should take one after your shower.”
Nick hated to feel so light-headed and out of focus from medication. However, he knew he should take Keely’s suggestion. “Okay.”
“Do you need help getting up?”
I can get up just fine, especially with you on your knees. Nick cleared his throat to keep from speaking his thoughts. “I can’t . . . keep myself covered if you help me.”
She rolled her eyes and released an aggravated sigh. “Nick, I know what a penis looks like.”
That statement had him wondering exactly how many penises she’d seen. Or touched. Or had inside her.
She stood and moved to his left side. Pulling his arm away from his groin, she bent down so she could drape the arm over her shoulders.
“Use me. I’m a lot stronger than you might think.”
Nick had no choice but to use Keely. Holding her shoulder, he tried to stand. An intense spasm rushing through his back had him collapsing on the toilet again. Nick couldn’t stop the moan before it escaped.
Keely wrapped her arm around his waist. “Stand as I lift, okay?”