Heart of a Cowboy

by Kristin Vayden

  Cover Copy

  A stubborn cowboy has sworn never to forgive or forget—but one special woman may find a way to change his mind . . .

  Hospice nurse Laken Garlington helps people face the end with peace and dignity, surrounded by their loved ones. But the son of her new patient didn’t come home to reunite with his dad. So why is Cyler Myer back in horse country? It’s clear the sexy, six-three hunk with the steely eyes has a score to settle, and Laken doesn’t plan on being collateral damage . . . no matter how irresistible she finds the prodigal cowboy.

  Dying is too good for the father Cyler will never forgive—not in this lifetime.

  Showing up at his family’s Washington State ranch is the first step in his plan. But revenge takes a back seat to desire when Cyler meets a bossy beauty who arouses feelings he isn’t ready to face. As they work together to save an ailing mare, Cyler realizes he must decide where his true destiny lies. With darkness . . . or with the woman who offers the promise of redemption with every kiss.

  “Obsessed. That’s how I felt while reading this book, like every page was better than the previous. Just try to put this down, I dare you.”

  --#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken on The Heart of a Cowboy

  The Heart of a Cowboy

  Elk Heights Ranch

  Kristin Vayden

  LYRICAL PRESS

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  Lyrical Press books are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2017 by Kristin Vayden

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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  Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  LYRICAL PRESS Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

  First Electronic Edition:

  eISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0562-5

  eISBN-10: 1-5161-0562-1

  First Print Edition:

  ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0563-2

  ISBN-10: 1-5161-0563-X

  Printed in the United States of America

  Dedication

  This is for my husband, Harry. Who answered a million questions about ranch life, who put all five kids to bed so I could stay up and write, and who educated me on how to actually do a proper wine tasting. You’re the best of everything, baby. I love you more than I could ever say.

  And also for my sister, Rachel Van Dyken, who encouraged me, reminded me that the middle is always where you feel stuck, and who is all around amazing. Love you so much!

  Chapter 1

  Warm air breezed through the open window whipping Laken’s hair across her face. In her rearview mirror, she could see a cloud of dust billowing behind her Honda, but thankfully the way ahead was clear, offering her an intimidating view of the huge log house growing bigger by the moment. Iron and cord fences lined the dusty gravel driveway, longhorn cattle dotted the landscape as they lazily grazed, but none of it calmed her nerves.

  If anything, it made her more anxious.

  “You’re quiet. Are you still nervous?” Kessed asked across the Bluetooth connection, and Laken twisted her lips.

  “Maybe?” She sighed.

  “You’re fine! Seriously. Chill. It’s going to be great. Turn on that country girl charm, be yourself, and you’re good to go.” Kessed’s tone was almost bored, since she’d basically given Laken the same speech the night before.

  Normally, when her company sent her a new assignment, it was just that, an assignment. As a hospice nurse, she treated those who usually weren’t in the position to be selecting their care. That choice was left up to the family. But when she received the call last week, it was to an interview. The patient wanted to hand-select the care nurse, and judging by the size of the property and house, the patient didn’t have to worry about what insurance would, or wouldn’t, cover.

  “I’m here. I need to go. I’ll call you later, ’kay? And if you have any leftover Pike Place after closing, it better have my name all over it. Just saying.” Laken grinned as Kessed sighed over the phone.

  “Is that the only reason we’re friends?”

  Laken nodded. “Yes.”

  “You suck.”

  “You love me! I entertain you.”

  “True. Now go and be awesome, and let me marinate in the amazing scent that is my workplace.”

  Laken sighed dramatically. “Starbucks is my lover.”

  “You’re going to get cut off if you keep talking like that.” Kessed giggled. “Gah, just get off the phone, stop stalling, and win over whomever needs the best nurse ever. Okay? Okay. Bye!”

  The connection ended, and Laken grinned and shook her head as she navigated the car.

  The road split into a circular drive, and she kept to the right, pulling up just before the hewn log entrance. Ugh, why did I say yes? Heart pounding, she tried to keep her nerves in check, but deep down she knew the reason. Because someone inside that huge house needed someone like her.

  Someone who cared.

  Someone who would be a guide in that terrifying transition, when everything seemed completely uncertain and hopeless. Someone who wouldn’t care about the will or who got the house, someone who had no investment in their death. More often than not, families pulled together in the end, but it was usually after they had fought for most of the time before the final passing.

  So with a deep breath, Laken strode to the front door and rang the bell. The slight breeze stirred, and a chime echoed in the stillness. When she turned, she saw an antique triangle, just like the ones she’d always imagined on the ranches in books. A smile broke through her lips, and her heartbeat slowed.

  “Hello there, love.”

  Laken turned, blinking as she took in the low and gravely tone of the man before her. He couldn’t be older than seventy-five, with deeply tanned skin and a full head of more salt than pepper hair complete with a handlebar mustache.

  “Hello.” She reached out a hand, and when he took it, she was sure to squeeze tight.

  His brows rose, then he grinned, showing off straight white teeth. “Nice handshake, girl. I like you already. C’mon in.” He gestured with his head to the long hall, and Laken entered, noticing the heady aroma of old wood, pipe tobacco, and some sort of cleaner.

  “What’s your name, love?”

  She spun, immediately berating herself for forgetting something so basic. So much for first impressions. “I’m sorry. I’m Laken Garlington. I’m here for the hospice nurse interview.”

  “I figured as much. You’re the nicest looking one of the lot. I think I’ll hire you.” He nodded once then turne
d and continued down the hall.

  “Uh, thanks.” She tilted her head, curious. “Just where is the patient, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “You’re looking at him, sweetheart.” He turned. “Jackson Myer. Doc says I have less than three months. Cancer. I don’t want any drugs till the pain gets too bad.” He shrugged as if talking about the weather or something just as benign.

  Not cancer.

  Not three months left of life.

  Her trained eye started to notice the few telltale signs that could be easily overlooked. His tanned skin had a yellowish hue, now recognizable as jaundice, meaning his liver function was compromised. His rolled-up sleeves showed bruises dotting his arm, along with several Band-Aids, meaning his blood wasn’t clotting either.

  Then he coughed.

  And with a weathered hand, he pulled out a once-white handkerchief, stained a brownish red, and wiped the fresh trickle of blood from his lips.

  “I see.” She nodded once, taking a step toward him. “And you’ve refused treatment? Is that what you mean about not taking any meds?”

  “Drugs, sweetheart. Yeah.” He cleared his throat, and as he continued, his voice grew raspy. “It’s a losing battle. I waited too long and, well, I’m not going to fight fate.”

  “Why?” It was a simple question, but in her experience, the answer was anything but.

  “Don’t beat around the bush, do you?” He gave her a sad smile. “If we’re going to chat, I’m going to need to sit down. I’m a bit slower these days.”

  The foyer opened into a wide hall, a wall completely of windows in the A-frame-style room. Indian-red leather couches sprawled across the large expanse, and he took a seat in a large chair facing the view the windows offered. Light spilled in, accenting the wide space. He ambled to a large chair and slowly sat, easing himself into the cushions. As his weight settled, he sighed and closed his eyes briefly.

  “Have a seat, honey.” He opened his eyes and nodded toward the couch.

  “Thanks.” The leather squeaked beneath her as she sat and set her purse to the side. “So, Mr. Myer—”

  “Jack, sweetheart. Mr. Myer was my daddy.” He gave a dry chuckle.

  “Got it. Jack, then. Why are you refusing treatment?” She leaned back, crossing her legs, and watched him as he absently toyed with a worn spot on the leather armrest.

  “I’ve seen what chemotherapy can do. Radiation, all of the damn stuff. I asked Doc straight up what my chances were if I tried any of it, and even if it worked, it would only buy me some time. I figure I’m as ready to go now as I’ll be in six months, so why make those three extra months I might get, only full of suffering from the side effects of the chemo? You know?” He shrugged and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

  “I see.” She chewed her bottom lip, pulling it between her teeth. It wasn’t uncommon for people in advanced stages of cancer to feel that there wasn’t any hope, but the problem came when they were facing the final few days of life, and they regretted giving up that hope earlier.

  The dying had a sharper perception of the value of life because with each second, they felt it slipping through their fingers.

  “You’re quiet. I’m betting you disagree. Don’t worry, you’re not the first, nor will you be the last to think I’m just giving up.” He sat back and shrugged.

  “Jack, I can’t tell you what’s right or wrong. I’m not in your shoes, or boots, rather.” She grinned slightly as she glanced to his feet. At his small laugh, she continued. “But life is precious. I’ve seen more people regret their refusal of treatment than you’d expect. I just don’t want you to be one of them.” She hitched a shoulder.

  “That’s kind of you, sweetheart. But I’m not going to be regretting anything. I’ve got plenty in my life I can regret. I’m not going to add another foolish thing to the list.”

  Tilting her head, she offered him a warm smile. “Okay. I just want to always be honest.”

  “And that right there is why you’re hired.” He smacked his knee.

  “Ah, and here I was under the impression you just thought I was cute,” she shot back in a teasing tone, arching her brow.

  He shrugged slightly. “That, too. But it sounds better if I say I’m hiring you for your candor.”

  “Keeping it classy. I like it.” She reached for her purse and took out a card. “HCEW sent over my resume, right?” Hospice and Care of Eastern Washington was usually on top of things, but it was always smart to double-check.

  “Yup. You’re experienced for someone so young.” He nodded, acting impressed.

  “The great thing about having a direction when you’re young is that you can work hard to get there faster. After my grandma died, I knew what I wanted to be. The hospice nurse who cared for her was incredible. She left an impression, and I’ve never looked back.”

  “Conviction is good, too.”

  “Everyone has to have a reason, Jack. If it’s not conviction, it’s something else driving you, but chances are it won’t be as strong of a motivation.”

  He rubbed his whiskery chin. “How old are you?”

  “Old enough. Now where are your doctor’s notes?” With a quirk of her brow, she stood and walked over to his chair, offering a hand, dodging the question she knew she’d inevitably be asked. The question concerning her age always crept up one way or another. It wasn’t common to be a twenty-six-year-old hospice nurse, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world. People assumed her age meant a lack of experience, but that wasn’t the case.

  “I don’t need your help,” Jack grumbled.

  “No, but sometimes it’s nice to have help even when we don’t need it.”

  He gave her a sarcastic glare, even as a grin broke through. “You’re going to be bossy, aren’t you?”

  “Yup.”

  “Damn it.”

  “Lucky you.”

  “Ha, ha.” He took her hand and stood. “Fine, but I’m not going to like it.”

  She bit back a giggle at his disgruntled look. “We’re going to get along just fine. I can tell already.”

  As she followed him down the hall, she mentally made notes of what needed to be arranged. Empty walls held no pictures, and as she thought back to the living room. There weren’t any there either. Odd. Was he alone? Did he no longer have living family? Or maybe they were estranged? Either way, she needed to find out.

  “Here.” He pointed to a large wooden desk, neatly organized with several white files with the St. Luke’s logo on front. “You can sit if you want. I’m going to go and get some more coffee. You want some?”

  “Nope, I’m good.”

  He started toward the door and paused. “You do drink coffee, don’t you?”

  She glanced up. “Every day.”

  “Good. I was worried for a minute. You can’t trust a person who doesn’t drink coffee. Unnatural.” He walked away, the sound of his boots thumping the wooden floor.

  Laken studied the charts and notes; it was textbook Adenocarcinoma in its advanced stages. The cancer had spread to his liver and lymph nodes, which confirmed her earlier suspicions. The specialist was Doctor Damien Wills, an expert in the field and one she’d worked with before. If Dr. Wills said three months, then three months was a good assessment.

  Three months also wasn’t much time.

  And time would only go quicker as the end grew closer.

  As a general rule, she’d live in with Jack, providing care as it was needed. At first it would be less hands on, yet as time progressed she’d give round the clock care. She made a mental note to line up an on-call backup nurse so that Jack wouldn’t ever be without care, even on her rare days off.

  “Jack?” Laken called, setting aside the charts and listening to a soft click from down the hall.

  “What, darlin’?”

  She left the office and
walked down the hall to find him pouring steaming black coffee into a Starbucks mug. “Jack, do you have time for a few more questions?”

  “I can spare a minute or two.” He gave a wily grin and rested against the counter.

  Laken pulled out her phone and opened up her chart app to make notes.

  “Sweet. Okay. First things first. Family. Do you have living relatives, and are they aware of your condition?”

  Jack took a long sip of coffee. “Yup and nope.”

  She glanced up. “Yes, relatives, and, no they don’t know?”

  “Yesss.” He glanced away.

  “Alright. Do you want any of them to be made aware?”

  “I should probably tell Cyler, but I don’t want to be around for the bonfire he’ll throw to celebrate.” He took another sip.

  “Pardon?” She paused typing in the name.

  “Cyler. My son. It’s complicated.”

  “I see. So, he doesn’t know.” She studied his expression, trying to read between the lines.

  “No, but I’ll tell him myself.” He lifted his mug and sighed, his shoulders rounding out as if insecure. “He deserves to hear it from me.”

  “Anyone else that needs to be informed?” She sidestepped the other questions about this Cyler guy. When it came to rifts in families, she stayed out. Period.

  “Nope, he’s all I’ve got. Wait. Damn it. I bet you Breelee will get wind of this.” The kitchen echoed with the sound of his coffee mug hitting the stone countertop abruptly. “Damn woman. She’ll be like a vulture, circling me till I drop dead. I gotta call my lawyer.” He closed his eyes and pinched his nose. “Damn females. Okay, sweetheart, what other questions are you going to pelt me with? Let’s rip it all off like a Band-Aid.” He grabbed his mug, sloshing coffee onto the countertop, and stomped back into the living room. “What are you waiting for, girl? And grab my phone. I gotta make a few calls apparently. Damn, this day is just getting better and better,” he muttered.

  “And so it begins,” Laken whispered under her breath, grabbing a sleek iPhone from the counter beside the coffeepot and walking to the living room. The questions were the easy part.