A Family for the Rancher

by Allison B. Collins

  “I need to get home. Go away.” He shoved the covers back, swung his legs over the side of the bed, groaning at the aches that registered all over his body.

  “Yeah, about that. You’re gonna have to stay here.”

  “Why?”

  “Your cabin isn’t exactly livable right now.”

  “What happened to it?”

  “You did.”

  He clutched his spinning head, rested his elbows on his thighs. “Would you stop talking in circles?”

  Hunter scratched his chin. “Looks like you ran out of booze, got mad, trashed the place. What happened to make you so mad anyway?”

  Bits and pieces of the night before clicked into focus. He’d run out of whiskey, trying to drown the sounds of Madison’s cries and screams. Drove into town.

  Something else flickered at the edge of his memory. Something he’d seen. Or someone. Digging in a trash can.

  He shook his head and stood up, braced his hand against the wall. Shuffled into the bathroom and forced himself to look in the mirror. A black eye, split lip, bruised jaw. Cuts scissored across the knuckles of both hands, so at least he’d gotten a few punches in. He lifted the tattered T-shirt up to see more bruises covering his torso. No wonder his ribs hurt.

  “There’s stuff in there if you want to shower.” Hunter’s voice drifted through the door. “And I’ll leave a T-shirt on the bed for you. Might be tight, but it’s better than what you’re wearing.”

  Nash pulled the remains of his shirt off and tossed them in the trash, then brushed his teeth. Every movement hurt some part of his body, and he wanted to soak in his Jacuzzi. He wouldn’t run the risk of showering at Hunter’s. Brother or not, he still didn’t want any of them to know about his leg.

  He walked out of the bathroom, and Hunter glanced at his body.

  “How are you still upright? That guy beat the shit out of you.”

  Nash picked up the T-shirt and gingerly put it on. “Thanks for the bed and shirt.” He walked out of the bedroom and headed to the back door, which would put him just that much closer to the path to his cabin.

  “Want a ride somewhere?”

  “Nope. Later.” Making sure the door didn’t slam and explode his head, he shuffled home through the trees. He wished for his sunglasses, but settled for squinting against the midday sun the whole way home instead.

  Reaching his cabin, he noticed his truck parked in front. One of his brothers must’ve driven it home for him. There were several bags of trash lined up on the front porch, and the front door stood ajar. He pushed it open and stepped inside, looked around. Broken furniture was stacked on one side of the living room, and Kelsey was sweeping up a pile of debris.

  “What’re you doing?”

  She jumped, dropping the broom. Bending over to pick it up pulled the jeans snug around her bottom.

  Hungover as he was, he could still appreciate the view.

  “How’re you feeling?” she asked, turning toward him. Her eyes scanned his face, then lingered on Hunter’s too-tight T-shirt.

  “You don’t need to be here cleaning up,” he groused, embarrassed and mortified to no end that she’d seen him at his worst.

  A flash of something crossed her face, then was gone. “I figured you wouldn’t want anyone else nosing around, and you wouldn’t be up to it.” She swept glass into the dustpan, then tossed it in the trash can. “Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll get you some food.”

  He grimaced. “Nah.”

  “You need to eat something.”

  “Only thing that’ll help is some greasy food.”

  “Well, duh. Just go take a shower. I can smell you all the way over here.”

  Heat rose up his neck. He’d been trying not to smell himself, but she had a point. Changing course, he headed to his bedroom and opened the door. The bed was made, pillows fluffed and ready. The mirror from the dresser was gone. He vaguely remembered hurling something at it. Limping into the bathroom, he stripped down, then hurried through the shower as fast as his body would let him.

  While he dried off, the scent of bacon drifted to him. It’d been a while since anyone had cooked for him, and his chest tightened. Shame and guilt washed over him. Kelsey was here to help him, understanding his need for privacy. He shuffled out to the kitchen just as she set a plate on the counter. He pulled out the one remaining bar stool and sat down.

  Eggs, greasy hash browns and bacon stared up at him. He waited a beat to make sure his stomach wouldn’t revolt, then tucked into the food.

  “How is it?” she asked.

  “Good. Thanks for cooking. But where’d it come from? I know I didn’t have all this.”

  “I stopped by the lodge and swiped it from Mrs. Green.” She grinned, and he couldn’t help but grin back at her. The older woman had always had a soft spot for him.

  “I appreciate you doing this. But you really didn’t need to clean up, too.”

  She twisted a towel in her hands. “Gave me something to do. Didn’t figure we’d have therapy today. And Maddy’s having so much fun at day care, I took her up there anyway.”

  He shrugged, then winced as pain radiated from his ribs. “You got that right.”

  She walked around the counter to stand beside him, then pulled his T-shirt up, slid a hand along his left side.

  The feel of her hand on his bare skin made him jerk.

  “I checked your ribs last night, didn’t think you’d broken any. Do you want to go get x-rayed in case you have a fracture?”

  “No,” he said, more harshly than he’d meant to.

  “If you’re injur—”

  “I said no. Your hand is cold.” He glanced sideways at her. Fact was, he wanted her hands all over his body, and it scared the hell out of him.

  “Oh, sorry.” She backed up a step and hesitated, then walked around the counter to the sink. Turning on the water, she squirted dish soap.

  “Leave those. I’ll get ’em.” Just go. Now.

  “You sure you’re okay? Your voice sounds odd.”

  He looked up from the plate to see her frowning. “Just want a nap.”

  “Fine. But call me if you’re still hurting later. I can give you a massage, and that might help.”

  He scrunched his eyes closed as images flashed through his mind. Him naked, her rubbing him, all over. Then her naked, and him doing a lot more than massaging. Heat snaked up his neck and all his blood pooled south of his waistband. “I’ll be fine.”

  Her footsteps echoed across the now almost-barren room. He sneaked a look around and saw her hesitate again. “What about furniture? Need help picking some out?”

  “I lived in a tent in the desert for months at a time. This is luxury compared to that.”

  “Oh. Right. Well, see you tomorrow, if you’re up for it.” Her voice sounded funny.

  He turned around on the stool. “Kelsey?”

  She paused, one hand on the doorknob. “Yes?”

  “Thanks,” he said, his voice rough.

  “You’re welcome.” She went out the door, closing it softly behind her.

  And taking the sunshine with her.

  Chapter Six

  Kelsey spent the rest of the day paying the bills that had piled up while they were driving cross-country. At least now she had some funds to pay a few of them. Chewing her lip as she balanced her checkbook, her heart sank. The money sure had gone out the door fast.

  A knock sounded at the door, and her mother walked into the room. “I’ll get it, sweetie.”

  Looking up to see who was at the door, Kelsey saw a deliveryman holding a huge vase of flowers.

  Her mother squealed. “Flowers! I just love flowers. Thank you so much, young man.” She took the vase from him and closed the door. “I’ll bet they’re from Angus. Isn’t he just the sweetest?”

 
The urge to warn her mother again about forming a relationship with her employer died on her lips as Bunny looked at the little envelope on the arrangement and frowned.

  “These aren’t for me. They’re for you. Who on earth would be sending you flowers? And here, of all places?” She brought the vase to the desk and set them down, handed Kelsey the card.

  “There must be some mistake.” She read the outside of the envelope. It was her name all right. She slid a finger under the flap and opened it.

  Thanks for last night. And for today. I appreciate it more than you know. Nash.

  “Well? Who’s it from?” Her mother still stood next to her, tapping her foot.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Then why are your cheeks red?” Bunny grabbed the card and read it aloud, then smiled. “Is that where you went last night? And just what is he thanking you for?”

  “Mom, he’s my patient. I can’t talk about him.”

  “I don’t think he was a patient last night when you left here so late. Are you seeing him?”

  “No, Mom. In fact, his brothers were there. He just got in a little trouble, and we helped him.”

  “I’ll bet he didn’t order flowers and have them rushed over for his brothers.” Bunny cupped Kelsey’s chin. “Angus told me Nash has been in trouble before. He used to get in fights, has always had an anger problem, and it’s escalated since he got out of the Army.”

  Kelsey leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. “Wouldn’t you be angry if you lost—had been through as much as he was in the war? He’s my patient. I have a professional relationship with him. That’s it. I don’t think you should be talking about him with Angus.”

  “I don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all.”

  “I’m not going to. This is my job, you know. I’ve never gotten involved with patients before.”

  “I know. But you’ve also never worked with a really good-looking cowboy before. I mean, have you seen what those worn-out jeans do for his butt?”

  “Mother! I can’t believe you said that!”

  Bunny laughed. “I may be old, but I’m still a woman. I’m telling you, you should check it out.” She walked out of the room, giggling.

  Kelsey shook her head, then leaned forward and sniffed the bouquet, losing herself in the scent. The arrangement was stunning, with hot pink roses and white hydrangeas. She’d seen a lot more than his butt the day before, and had wanted so badly to stare, drink him all in. Since Rob had died, she’d pretty much lived like a nun—no dates, no kissing, no nothing. They’d had a good sex life, and she missed the intimacy of being with a man. With Rob. You’ve missed being with Rob.

  The night before, all she’d wanted to do was take care of Nash. It was obvious something had set him off, and he was hurting. Emotionally.

  But it wasn’t Rob she’d dreamed of when she finally got home at 4:00 a.m. Nash had filled her, time and time again, and she’d woken up aching that morning, wanting nothing more than to roll over and feel him next to her. On her. In her.

  She’d debated about going to his cabin that morning, but figured he’d be sleeping all day, recovering at Hunter’s. Having him walk in, wearing the tight T-shirt that contoured his muscles, had made her knees weak and her mouth water. Thank goodness he’d gone to take a shower. Cooking helped calm her down, but then he’d walked in again, and she’d wanted to jump him.

  He’s a patient. That’s all he is and ever will be, she admonished herself.

  Now if she could only take her own advice.

  Common courtesy dictated she needed to thank him for the flowers, but with her emotions churning as they were, she didn’t want to hear his voice. Couldn’t hear his voice. So she sent him a text. And told him to let her know when he was ready to resume physical therapy, hoping she’d have at least a day to get over these feelings. Or at least find a way to hide them better. Hunter and her mother were far too perceptive. It would be catastrophic if Nash knew she was daydreaming about him.

  * * *

  A WEEK LATER, Nash pulled up to the corral at the main house in time to see Luke leading a black stallion down the ramp of the horse trailer. Sunlight gleamed off his shiny coat, and Nash itched to get his hands on that handsome beast. Cursing his bad leg once again, he resigned himself to the fact that he’d just have to watch his brother train a horse he secretly coveted.

  “Hey, what took you so long in Vegas? Was the auction delayed?” Nash asked as he walked up to join Luke at the trailer.

  “Nah. Did the auction, then stayed to play.”

  “Yeah? What’s her name?”

  “Who?”

  “Whoever you liked enough to stay in Sin City with. You hate Vegas.”

  “When are you taking over the horses so I don’t have to do that again?” Luke asked. The horse reared up, his front legs kicking. He fought to hold on to the reins and finally got the horse under a semblance of control. “You need to do your horse whisperer mojo thing with this one, Nash.”

  He shook his head slowly. “I’m kinda rusty. I’ll just watch for now.” He forced himself to back away and lean up against the fence post.

  Luke led the horse into the corral and slipped the reins off, letting the horse go.

  First thing Nash would have done, too. Let the horse get rid of all his anxiety about being cooped up in the trailer all the way from Vegas.

  “What’d you name him?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the horse running around the corral.

  “Midnight. I’m gonna grab a bottle of water out of the barn. You want one?”

  Nash shook his head, intent on reading the horse. Trainers could tell a lot about a horse in the first run around a corral. He’d always ridden bulls in competition, but horses were his first love. And he was dying to get back to working with them. Not being cooped up like an invalid doing therapy every day.

  A squeal of laughter caught his attention, and he squinted, looking for the noise. Kelsey’s little girl was running around the yard. He looked around for Kelsey, but didn’t see her or any other adult. He started heading her way, but hesitated, worried he’d scare her again.

  It looked like she was chasing a butterfly as it flew through the air. Madison was laughing, not paying any attention to where she was going. And she was getting way too close to the corral where Midnight still ran loose. The butterfly flew into the corral, and Madison dropped down to crawl under the fence post and inside the ring.

  His heart jackhammered in his chest.

  It’d take too long to go around the outside to get to Madison. He opened the gate and ducked inside, hoping the horse would stay on the other side. But his plea went unanswered, and Midnight headed at a full gallop right toward the little girl.

  Nash sped up, ignoring the sharp pain burning through his injured thigh. Reaching the little girl, he snatched her up even as he heard Midnight thundering behind him.

  He curled her into his chest to protect her just as Kelsey reached him on the other side of the fence. He tossed Madison over the top post at Kelsey and started to drop down to roll under the bottom rung. But Midnight shoved him up against the fence. He shut his eyes, his body screaming as loud as the little girl was. “Get her out of here,” he hollered as loud as he could, not wanting Madison to witness what a wild horse could do to a man.

  Make it quick. Just get it over with.

  Suddenly, the massive body holding him against the fence moved away. His fingers still clenched the wood, and he couldn’t move them to let go.

  “Nash.”

  A woman’s voice sounded from far away, and he felt a hand on his fingers, trying to pry them away from the wooden fence. “Come on, Nash. I need to see how badly you’re injured.”

  This time he recognized Kelsey’s voice.

  “Is your daughter hurt? I tried to get...”

  “She’s okay, just shaken up
.”

  “Good. Glad she’s okay...” His words slurred, and he started to slide down. His leg felt odd, as if the knee was out of joint. He tried to slide his bad leg underneath him for balance, then realized the prosthesis wasn’t secured tight. One move and everyone would know.

  “How bad is it?” Angus’s voice boomed over his head, and Nash tried to see him.

  “Call an ambulance,” Kelsey said to his dad.

  “No, don’t...”

  Angus pulled his phone out and flipped it open.

  “Dad, no. I don’t need an ambulance. I just need a minute.”

  “Son, a stallion pinned you to the fence. You need to get checked out.”

  Panic clawed its way up his throat. “I need you all to leave me the hell alone.”

  “Then what can I do?”

  “Leave,” Nash growled, opening his eyes to see Kelsey staring at him, Madison tucked tight against her body. “Everyone just go. I’m fine, just had the breath knocked out of me.”

  “Fine.” Angus stomped off, slamming the corral gate behind him.

  “You okay, bro?” Luke asked.

  “Yeah. What about the horse?”

  “God, I’m sorry he went crazy on you. You sure you don’t want to go get checked out?” He rubbed a hand across his chin. “You want me to get rid of him?”

  “Not Midnight’s fault. I know better. Had to get to Madison.”

  “How about I drive you back to the cabin? Need an ice pack or anything?”

  Why was everyone treating him like a kid? “No. Just go away.”

  “Kelsey, why don’t you bring Maddy up to the house?” Luke asked.

  “Okay, thanks,” she said.

  Nash glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He shook his head, just a tiny movement, hoping she’d understand.

  “I’ll be back, Nash,” she said.

  He looked over at Luke, who stared at him a beat longer, then turned on his heel and led the way to the big house.

  Nash continued holding on to the fence, scared to let go. He hated to be so vulnerable. The seconds ticked by on the clock in his head, and he closed his eyes, focused on the sounds around him. An eagle screamed high above the field as it searched for a meal. Horses whinnied and nickered in the field behind him. A car backfired somewhere on the ranch, the sound echoing on the breeze. Guests splashed in the pool, their laughter drifting to him.