A Family For The Rancher. Allison B. Collins

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      “I’m not gonna smell girlie, am I?” he asked, embarrassed at having her examine the ugliness he hated day in and day out.

      She smiled, and he noticed a freckle above the corner of her lip. He stared at it, fascinated for some reason.

      “No, this is the non-girlie type of lotion.”

      Why hadn’t he noticed before how pretty she was? Her upper lip hinted at a slight overbite that was strangely arresting. Her small, graceful hands were definitely working some kind of magic.

      The front door opened and Kade walked in. “Hey, here’s the DVD you—”

      Nash grabbed the old woven blanket off the back of the couch and threw it over his legs. “Don’t you know how to knock?” he snapped.

      Kade, his younger brother by a year, glanced at Kelsey as she removed her hands from beneath the blanket. His cheeks reddened, and Nash had to grin—it wasn’t easy to throw Kade off his game.

      “This is Kelsey. Dad hired her for me. My brother Kade.”

      Kade’s eyebrows lifted, and he looked from one to the other, obviously still at a loss for words.

      She stood up, soothing the remaining lotion into her arms. “Hi. Just to clear up whatever thoughts you have running through your dirty little mind, I’m a physical and occupational therapist. Your dad hired me to come out here and work with Nash.”

      Kade’s cheeks were on fire, and for some reason Nash took perverse pleasure in the fact that he was embarrassed.

      * * *

      “NICE TO MEET you, Kelsey.” Kade looked back at Nash. “Why do you still need a therapist? I thought your leg was better.”

      A growl erupted from the couch, startling her. She glanced at Nash, alarmed at how red his face had gotten.

      “Get out. Now.”

      Kade took a step back. “Geez, what’s wrong with you?”

      She cleared her throat. “Kade, do you mind leaving? I still need to go over some things with Nash, and have to leave here shortly to pick up my daughter.”

      “Sure thing. Nice meeting you.” Kade walked out the door, slamming it behind him.

      Sitting back down on the trunk next to the couch, she pulled the blood pressure cuff and stethoscope out of her bag. “Arm, please.” She glanced at his narrowed eyes. “You know, my five-year-old gets that expression on her face when I tell her it’s nap time.”

      A look of surprise crossed his rugged face, and he finally chuckled. “Look, I’m sorry.”

      “We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot today.”

      He glared at her, and she could have sworn steam billowed out of his ears.

      “Too soon?”

      “Yeah. Let’s just get this over with. I need a drink.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, then through his militarily short brown hair.

      “Sorry.” She steeled herself, strapping the cuff to his upper arm. His muscular upper arm. No doubt he’d be a difficult patient, and she’d have to call on all her patience in order to deal with this cowboy. This tall, strong, tough, knock-her-down gorgeous cowboy.

      “Hey, ease up, okay?”

      Crap. “As red as your face is, I figured your BP would be high.” She turned the knob and air started escaping as she listened for the beats. “It’s somewhat high, but that could be the alcohol.”

      “Doubt it. And I’d rather drink than get hooked on painkillers.”

      “You won’t get hooked on booze?”

      “Nah.”

      “So why did you get upset when Kade walked in?”

      He looked away. “I never get any privacy now. Someone’s always checking on me. I just want them to leave me alone.”

      “They love you, Nash. They’re your family.”

      “They’re nosy. I don’t want them around all the time. I spent ten years in the Army, from regular tour of duty on base, then deployed to Afghanistan and stationed in the desert, practically living nose to ass with people.”

      “And they might walk in and discover your secret.”

      “Maybe.”

      “I see. May I ask why?”

      “My business. And don’t you say anything. They just think I was wounded, not that I lost the whole bottom half of my damned leg. In fact, I don’t need you to come out anymore. Thanks for stopping by.”

      “So you’re ready to resume your life here on the ranch. Ride horses, pitch hay, rope poor baby cows, or whatever you do on a ranch.”

      The glare returned to his face, his eyebrows lowering in a scowl over steely gray-blue eyes. He muttered under his breath.

      “Sure you weren’t in the Navy?”

      “What?” he asked, confusion on his face.

      “You swear like a sailor.”

      His mouth twitched, and a laugh rumbled out of his chest. “Okay, sorry.” He blew out a breath. “Maybe I do need help, but I don’t know if you’re the right person for it.”

      “Why? I’m licensed as both phys—”

      “I couldn’t get on my damned horse earlier today. I need someone who can help me do that.”

      “Actually, I can. I grew up around horses, so in school I studied equine therapy. It’ll take some time, but we can probably get you back in the saddle. Anything else you want my help with?”

      “I haven’t gotten la—”

      “Uh-uh, mister. Your dad will have to hire someone else for that.”

      He cracked a half grin, and darned if her heart didn’t go pitter-patter. Nash Sullivan was a handful, and she’d have to stay on her toes around him. She’d had love once, and lost it. No use looking for it again.

      Not when her husband’s death nearly broke her.

       Chapter Two

      The next morning, Kelsey knocked on the heavy oak door to Nash’s cabin. She waited, then knocked again. A loud crash reverberated through the door, and she pounded louder. Still no answer. She tried the handle, and to her surprise, it opened. Rushing inside, she scanned the rustic living room and kitchen.

      “Mr. Sullivan? Where are you? Are you okay?”

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