Heart of a Soldier
Page 20
“I...uh—” Cory cleared his throat. “I know my father probably won’t agree to this, but I thought I might invite the two of you to come back with me for a couple of weeks.”
“To the ranch?”
“I own about eight hundred acres in Blaine County—Milk River runs right through it. It’s the best that Montana has to offer.” He slapped his hat against his leg, searching for the right words. “I really want to get to know my father better, and I still have all these questions. I mean, not that I could remember them in there.” He looked away for a moment, toward the ill-kept yard. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’d like more time with my father, but I can’t stay away from the ranch any longer. If you’d come back with me, maybe that could still happen. Besides, you know him better than I do. You can get him to talk where I can’t.”
Cory also wanted a chance to get to know this pretty nurse a little better, but he wasn’t about to say that out loud. Eloise regarded him with a thoughtful gaze.
“I feel responsible for how this turned out.” She blushed. “This is all pretty much my fault, you know.”
“Oh, absolutely.” He shot her a wry grin. “But in the best way possible, of course.”
She laughed softly. “I can ask if he’d be willing to visit—”
Cory’s phone blipped and he pulled it out of his pocket and glanced down at a text from his partner. He clenched his teeth in frustration.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Another injury. One of the cowboys got his arm caught in the bridle of a spooked horse. They’ll have to take him to the next ranch over to get treated by their medic—”
“Does this sort of thing happen often?” Eloise asked, frowning.
“You wouldn’t...” He paused, uncertain if he should even voice the idea. “Look, I know this is a bit forward, but if you and my father came to the ranch for a visit, would you consider a little extra work?”
“Replacing your medic?” she asked.
“For a couple of weeks, until we can hire someone. I’d be eternally grateful on both counts, if you’re interested.”
“I’ll have to talk to your father and his doctor first, of course. If they agree, I’d be happy to lend a hand. You sound like you’re in a bind.”
He nodded. “Let me know. I’ll have to head back tomorrow.”
Cory dropped his hat onto his head and looked back at the house. Robert Bessler was nothing like what he’d expected, yet the chance to understand the miserable old man snagged at that boyhood longing.
Not to mention Eloise. She was beautiful, brave, confident—and the only person who actually knew his elderly father right now, and he had a feeling that her insights would be invaluable.
“I’ll let you know as soon as I can,” she promised and offered a smile. “It was really nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He held out his hand and took her slender hand in his. “Take care.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, reluctantly releasing her. She fluttered her fingers in a wave and turned back toward the door. As he trotted down the steps and strode to his pickup truck, Cory sighed.
Lord, he prayed silently, I hope this isn’t a mistake.
Copyright © 2015 by Patty Froese Ntihemuka
ISBN-13: 9781460345061
Heart of a Soldier
Copyright © 2015 by Sandra Calhoune
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