“What happened? Annie? Are you all right?” Rusty asked.
“I’ll be fine. I just got the wind knocked out of me.” She gasped when Jesse lifted her out.
“I think it’s more than that. Do you know her doctor, Rusty?” Jesse started up the steps to enter the house.
“I can’t afford a doctor. I’ll be fine. Just take me to the sofa for now.”
Jesse looked at Rusty and shook his head. Rusty and Wes followed them into the house. Jesse headed in the direction Rusty pointed him and entered a living room. He gently lowered Anna onto the sofa making her groan.
“I think you might have a cracked rib or two.”
“How the hell did she get a cracked rib?” Wes asked him.
Jesse swore under his breath then looked at him. “I threw a bale of hay up onto the trailer and it hit her.”
“You hit her?” Rusty asked in a shocked voice.
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Jesse growled.
“I’m fine, Rusty. It was an accident. I didn’t know he was tossing the bale and he didn’t see me standing there.”
Jesse whipped his head around to look at her. She looked up at him and gave him a small smile. He knew she didn’t want Rusty and Wes jumping all over him. Rusty harrumphed, making Jesse look at him, but didn’t say anything while Wes stared at him and he stared right back. Jesse jerked his chin for Rusty to follow him to the kitchen.
“Can you get ahold of her doctor? She may have some cracked ribs or at the least, she’s bruised pretty badly. Those bales aren’t light.”
“I can call him but she ain’t gonna be happy about it. She can’t afford to pay him.”
“Call him. I’ll pay for it. Better safe than sorry. I’d tell her to go the hospital, but I think I’d have a fight on my hands.”
“Damn right, you would. She’s stubborn,” Rusty said, shaking his head.
Jesse blew out a laugh. “That’s an understatement. But she should be checked out. Please call him, Rusty.”
Rusty nodded. “I’m on it.”
Jesse gave a curt nod and walked back to the living room to see Anna lying on the couch holding her ribs. She looked up at him.
“Where did you go?”
“To tell Rusty to call your doctor.”
“Damn it, Jesse—” She started to sit up then gasped and lay back down.
“Yeah, cuss me all you want but you need to be looked at. What if I cracked your rib?”
“You didn’t. I’ve had a cracked rib before and this is nothing like it. Probably just badly bruised.”
He took a seat in the chair across from her. “Anna, please. I’d feel better if you’d let the doc look at you.”
“Jesse, I told you, I really can’t afford it.”
“I’ll pay for it. It’s my fault.”
“It was not your fault,” she hissed.
“Really? I wasn’t paying attention. I was thinking of…something and didn’t see you when I tossed the bale onto the trailer.”
“What were you thinking about that you didn’t even look before tossing that bale? You know how heavy they are.”
He stood, glanced around to find them alone then looked back to her. “I was thinking about you, okay?”
“What about me?”
He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair then resettled it on his head.
“It doesn’t matter,” he muttered. No way could he tell her. He looked at her to see her smiling up at him.
“Must have been good if it made you lose your head.”
He squatted down by the sofa and touched her cheek. “You make me lose my head anytime I look at you.”
Her beautiful jade eyes blinked at him and he couldn’t stop himself from leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers. When her lips parted, he started to deepen the kiss, but he heard someone walking toward the living room and he quickly stood.
“Doc’s on his way,” Rusty said as he entered the room then narrowed his eyes at Jesse.
Jesse cleared his throat. “Good. I’ll, uh, go get the hay on the trailer before it gets too much later.”
“Wes and I can help.”
“Maybe once the sun starts setting, you two can come and help. I’d better get going.” Jesse hightailed it out of there before Rusty grabbed him by the collar.
****
Rusty turned to look at Anna after the back door closed behind Jesse. She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Did I interrupt something?” he asked her.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. You two seemed a little cozy when I walked in.”
“He was just asking how I was. Gee, Rusty.” Liar, liar, pants on fire, Anna!
Rusty stared at her like he’d never seen her before. She narrowed her eyes at him until he turned on his heel and started walking away.
“Wes and I will help Jesse once the sun goes down a little. I’m going to feed the horses then I’ll be back. Doc should be here by then,” he said over his shoulder.
“All right.” She tried to sit up a little but hissed in a breath when pain ripped through her. “Shit, that hurt.”
Lifting her shirt, she looked at her side but didn’t see a bruise but the area over her ribs did appear red. She was afraid of what the doctor would tell her because she was sure she could be sidelined for a while with an injury no matter how bad it was. Cracked or bruised would have her down for a couple of weeks, at the least. Lying back against the cushion, she closed her eyes and tried not to take deep breaths.
She wondered how Jesse was doing out there alone. There was no doubt he’d get a lot done but the job always required more than one person. The poor man had to toss the bales onto the trailer, stack them, and then drive the truck along the rows of baled hay.
What had he been thinking about her? Whatever it was had him very distracted. Smiling, she knew she’d have to ask him again. Maybe he’d kiss her again. Should she let him? Why not let him kiss her? He was really good at it and she was so attracted to him. An affair with him couldn’t lead anywhere but why not enjoy some time with him. The man had a fantastic body from what she could tell. His chest with those hard pecs, his six-pack stomach, and she’d definitely noticed his crotch on more than one occasion. His jeans hugged his sex and made her mouth water. What could it hurt to go for it with him? It wasn’t like she was going to marry him for heaven’s sake.
The only thing that bothered her was what if she disappointed him in bed. She might have been married for sixteen years but her sex life had been highly lacking. She’d married Jamie the year she’d graduated from college and she was happy. Until she had a talk with her sister.
Abby had the perfect marriage. A handsome husband she adored, two children, three dogs and according to her, a great sex life. Her husband, Trace, treated her like gold. Anytime they were around, Anna noticed him touching Abby every chance he got. Her heart would ache watching them because she didn’t have that. The day she saw him stop to kiss Abby’s temple when he walked past her, Anna knew her marriage was never going to be like that. She’d asked Abby about it when they’d been alone in the kitchen of their parents’ house for Thanksgiving one year.
“Does Trace always kiss you?”
Abby frowned at her question. “Yes, of course. Doesn’t Jamie kiss you all the time?”
“No. I think I married a very unemotional man.”
“He has to kiss you sometimes,” Abby said laughing.
“Rarely,” Anna whispered.
Abby walked to her and stood in front of her. “During sex? Before sex, as in foreplay?”
Anna shook her head and her cheeks burned. “He’ll kiss me when he leaves for work and when we go to bed for the night.”
“Oh, honey. You shouldn’t live like that. Trace can’t keep his hands off me and we’ve been together longer than you have. It should never end. A man should show you how he feels about you every day.”
Anna drew in a breath and instantly regretted it. The pain w
as getting worse. The back door opened and she heard footsteps in the kitchen then Rusty and the doctor entered the living room.
“Hello, Annie. What have you done now?” Dr. Clinton Hatch smiled at her.
“I got hit by a bale of hay,” she said while trying not to breathe.
“I bet that hurt like a bitch,” Doc Hatch said, making her laugh so she had to grab her side.
“Don’t make me laugh, Doc. It hurts.”
“Let me see.” He leaned over, lifted her shirt, and lightly touched her ribs. “Redness is setting in. I’d say you’re going to have a bruise soon enough.”
“You don’t think any ribs are damaged, do you?”
The doctor touched her skin making her flinch a little. “I don’t think so but if you want to be sure, we could take some x-rays.”
“I’m not going to have a hospital bill I can’t pay. If I take it easy, it’ll be fine. Not much you can do about a cracked rib anyway.”
“True enough, Annie but I want you to really take it easy. Not just tell me you will then don’t.”
“Yes, sir,” she muttered.
“Rusty, can you make a run to the pharmacy and get a prescription filled for her?”
“Yes—”
“I don’t need anything.”
“You will. Trust me. You’re going to be in a lot of pain. Also, someone should stay here with you. That way you won’t have to get up.”
“I’ll be fine,” she snapped.
Doc shook his head. “No, you won’t. I’m your doctor, don’t argue with me.”
Anna sighed. There was no way she was going to win an argument with Dr. Hatch. He’d been taking care of her for years and she knew how stubborn the older man could be. Rusty took the prescription from the doctor and left the room. She heard the back door open and close then his truck start up. She looked at the doctor.
“There’s no one who can stay with me. I’ll just have to be careful.”
“Annie, you really should have someone here. Especially if you take your pain meds.”
She did not intend to take any pain medication but he didn’t need to know that. “I could call Mom, I suppose.”
“Your parents are in Florida. Don’t try that on me,” Doc reprimanded her.
She frowned. Her parents were good friends with the doctor so of course, he knew they were on vacation. Damn it. She looked up at him as he stood over her.
“I’ll be careful.”
“Not good enough. I could have a nurse come out or call your sister. I want you to put ice on it for now and use it for the next seventy-two hours. Don’t use a heating pad. No work for the next day or two. Try lying on your injured side. If your neck and back are feeling all right, try lying on the side with the bruised rib. It sounds counterintuitive, but it will actually help you breathe easier. Don't engage in any activity that could aggravate your injury.”
“No nurse, I can’t afford it and Abby is in California on vacation.”
“Well, I want someone here, Annie. I mean it. Call me if you have more pain and take your medicine. You’ll need it. I’ll call you in a few days.”
“Thanks for coming out, Doc.” Tears filled her eyes at the pain. Closing her eyes, Anna calmed her breathing and drifted off.
Chapter Three
The sound of voices woke her up. Anna opened her eyes to see Jesse and Rusty standing together talking in low tones, but it sounded like they were arguing.
“Hey,” she said and both men turned to look at her. “What are you arguing about?”
“I saw Doc in town when I was at the pharmacy and he said you need to have someone stay with you tonight.” Rusty said then glanced at Jesse.
“I’ll be fine,” she said.
“I was telling Jesse here, that since it’s his fault he should stay with you.”
She gasped and looked at Jesse who had his lips flattened and his jaw clenched.
“I didn’t do it on purpose. Stop blaming me,” Jesse muttered.
“Is she or is she not hurt because of you?” Rusty stepped toward Jesse.
It would be laughable if she weren’t in so much pain. Rusty barely reached Jesse’s shoulder and he was trying to intimidate the younger man. Jesse didn’t budge as he continued to glare at Rusty.
“Rusty, stop. It was an accident. You’re making it sound like Jesse did it on purpose and I know he didn’t.”
Rusty waved his hands. “Neither here nor there. You’re down because of him. He should stay with you.”
“Fine. I’ll stay with her but not because you say so. I’ll do it because she needs help and although it was an accident, she’s hurt and I feel bad about it.”
“Ain’t that what I been sayin’?” Rusty yelled.
Jesse glared at him then spun away. He removed his hat and raked his fingers through his hair then resettled it. Anna noticed that his T-shirt was sweat stained, and bits of hay clung to his jeans and dust covered his boots. She’d never seen a sexier man in her life.
“Jesse, you don’t have to stay here,” she told him.
“I don’t mind, Anna. I just need to run to the cabin and shower first.” He looked at Rusty. “Can you stay here until I get back?”
“Yep,” Rusty said and took a seat in a chair. He pointed to a glass of water and a pill bottle on the coffee table. “I got your pills for you.”
“Thank you.” She tried to sit up and gasped in pain. Jesse moved to her quickly.
“Here, let me help you.” He slipped his arm behind her and helped her up.
Tears filled her eyes. “Damn that hurt. Could you give me a pill and the water, please?”
Jesse nodded and picked up the pill bottle, opened it, and shook a pill out. He handed it to her then the water. She tossed the pill into her mouth and took a sip of water. Doc had been right she needed those pills. Jesse helped her lay back down then straightened up.
“I’ll be about twenty minutes,” he said.
She nodded. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.” He nodded to Rusty then headed out of the room.
She heard the back door opened and then closed. It was going to be a long, painful night, Anna thought as she closed her eyes and waited for the painkiller to kick in.
****
Jesse sat in the recliner, watching Anna sleep. The TV was on, but he couldn’t take his eyes from her. She was so beautiful, and he felt like a real heel for hitting her with the hay bale. If he’d just kept his mind on his work and not on her, it wouldn’t have happened. Blowing out a frustrated breath, he ran his hand around the back of his neck. It was going to be a long night since he probably wouldn’t sleep. The painkiller must have knocked her out. She’d been asleep for almost two hours now.
Stretching his long legs out in front of him, he clasped his hands across his stomach and looked at the TV. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes.
“Jesse?”
Opening his eyes, he looked over at her. “Do you need something?”
“Can you help me sit up? I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Sure.” He stood and moved to the couch to help her up. When she sucked in a breath, he wanted to kick himself. “I’m so sorry, Anna.”
“Forget it.” She looked up into his eyes. “Did the field get finished?”
“Yes, ma’am. It just needs to be stacked in the barn. I parked the truck in the barn since it’s supposed to rain.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Can you walk?”
“It only hurts when I breathe.”
“Funny.”
Anna laughed then gasped. “Couldn’t resist. I can walk fine. It’s just getting up and down that hurts.”
“So, how do you plan on using the bathroom?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll manage. There is no way you’re going in there with me.”
Jesse chuckled. “Spoilsport.”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. He grinned and took her arm then helped her down
the hallway to the door she pointed out. At the door, she entered and closed it behind her. Jesse leaned against the wall. He heard her muttering and couldn’t stop the smile from lifting his lips. She had to be having trouble getting her jeans down.
“Do you need my help?” he asked.
“No. Don’t you dare come in here.”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And quit calling me ma’am. I know I’m older but please stop.”
“Sorry, it’s a habit. Not because you’re older, as you keep reminding me.”
The door opened and she stepped out with her jeans still unzipped and unsnapped. He raised an eyebrow at her.
“Could you help me undress?” she asked him and her cheeks turned red.
“Those words are music to my ears, darlin’.” He laughed when she glared at him.
“I can’t lean over and get my pants off and lifting my shirt will not be pleasant.”
“I’ll help you.”
Nodding, she led him to her bedroom. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Jesse followed her and looked around the room. Dark red carpeting covered the floor. A large dresser sat along one wall with a TV perched on it. The king size bed, with a red and white quilt, sat centered on one wall with a cedar chest at the end of it. The bi-fold doors along one wall had to be a closet. A brick fireplace took up a wall with a doorway leading to a bathroom beside it. He looked at Anna.
“Why didn’t you use this bathroom?”
“Because I didn’t think about changing my clothes.”
“I see,” he murmured. He figured it was because she didn’t want him in her bedroom. He stepped closer to her. “What do you want me to do?”
“Take my clothes off,” she said then smiled at him.
He groaned. “You’re killing me.”
“I’m sure a lot of women have said that to you, Jesse.”
“Some, but I’ve never wanted to take theirs off half as much as I want to take off yours.”
Jesse: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 3 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 5