Reuniting With The Cowboy. Shannon Taylor Vannatter

is home and I needed a place of my own.”

      “You bought the place next to me?”

      “This was the only land available with enough acreage to start a ranch.” Technically leasing, with an option to buy. If he decided to have surgery. And lived.

      She hugged herself. “What happened to Aubrey not being big enough for you?”

      “Things change.” A brain aneurysm changed lots of things. “Does your mom still live with you?”

      “She does.” She bit her lip. “Okay, yeah, I still live at home. But it’s the perfect place for my vet practice-slash-shelter and Mom’s my office manager at the clinic.”

      “Come on in.” He stepped aside, striving for casual, despite the drumming of his heart. “And tell me this is a pecan chocolate four-layer delight.”

      “It is. Mom made it, but I didn’t come to stay.” She glanced toward her place.

      “You got a passel of kids waiting for you?”

      “Um, no.” Sarcasm laced her words. “Surely you know I’m not married.”

      “I meant the teenage girls out there walking dogs, but it looks like they’re leaving.”

      “Oh.” Pink tinged her cheeks. “They volunteer to make sure all of the animals get attention and exercise.”

      “Since they’re leaving, I figure you can stay and help me eat this.” He took her by the elbow and led her into the empty kitchen. Warmth swept through him. Shouldn’t have touched her. Not even her elbow. “Come on. Humor me. Catch me up on Aubrey happenings.”

      “I don’t know any.” She slid her hands in her pockets. “I pretty much stay to myself except for cattle calls and hospital visits with my dog program. I hope the Realtor told you about my small-animal shelter before you moved in.”

      “Like a good Realtor, she did.” He set the dish in the middle of the kitchen island and rubbed his hands together. “Actually, she didn’t have much choice. All the critters were serenading us when we arrived.”

      “Do they bother you?” She grimaced. “The noise, I mean.”

      “Not at all. You know I’ve always been an animal lover. In fact, once I get settled in, I plan to come over and adopt a dog or two, maybe a cat or three for the barn.”

      “Really?” Excitement filled her eyes for the first time since he’d opened the door for her.

      “Sure.” Maybe the way to reclaim their easy friendship was through her animals. Ally had always had a soft spot for all four-legged creatures. He could lend a hand with the critters in her shelter. Maybe help her find homes for them. But more than anything, he could use a friend about now. He opened a drawer and remembered he hadn’t even brought his utensils in yet.

      “Why don’t you have any furniture or appliances?” She strolled around the large kitchen.

      “My home’s been in the living quarters of my horse trailer for several years.” Maybe he shouldn’t have kept his move secret from his family. A furnished house might improve his rep. “I never needed furniture until now.”

      Over the years, his humor had pegged him as the class clown. His yearning for freedom and travel made everyone assume he had Peter Pan syndrome. His years on the circuit had only solidified his image as someone who refused to grow up, to take responsibility and settle down.

      Now he was out to show everyone there was so much more to him. Maybe if he morphed into a mature adult before their eyes, they’d buy his cover. That he wanted to retire and be a rancher. Not that he was forced into retirement and might not live to tell about it.

      “I’ll be right back.” He shut the drawer. “My silverware is still in the horse trailer.”

      “I have a better idea. Have you eaten supper?”

      “Not yet.” Why was she being so nice after making a career of avoiding him over the years? “But I can have dessert for supper.” He gave her a sly grin. “I’m an adult.”

      “Jury’s still out on that.” She rolled her eyes.

      Yep, he had a lot of convincing to do.

      “Come on over and I’ll warm up some taco soup.” She scurried toward the door.

      “You’re making my mouth water. Lead the way.” It would be hard to keep up with her with his bad leg. But he didn’t want to let on, so he followed her out. He’d made it down the steps and a few feet farther when he stepped in a hole and his knee wrenched before he caught himself.

      “Whoa.” Ally grabbed his arm. “Are you okay?”

      Heat crept up his neck. “My doctor warned me to be careful on uneven surfaces. I’ve got a little hitch in my get-along these days.”

      “Why didn’t you tell me to slow down?”

      “I sort of forgot when you mentioned taco soup.” Actually, he’d wanted to hide his weakness.

      “How are you going to run a ranch when you can barely walk?”

      “Easy. With a great foreman and trusty ranch hands. I’ll be the brains behind the operation.” He shot her a wink.

      “Okay, change of plans.” She put her arm around his waist. “Lean on me.”

      A bum leg was worth getting this close to Ally. He slipped his arm around her shoulders. Her fruity shampoo tickled his senses along with vanilla and that fresh hay scent that had clung to her for as long as he could remember. The smell of Ally. He’d missed it.

      “We’re gonna turn around nice and slow and take you back inside. Once you’re on solid ground, I’ll go warm up the soup and bring it over.”

      “That’s too much trouble.” He really should tell her he could walk just fine. Just needed to use his cane and take it slow. But what he ought to do and wanted to do were two entirely different things.

      “No, it’s not.” She helped him climb his steps. “I won’t have you hurting yourself for no reason.”

      She cared and smelled good. But he couldn’t get used to leaning on Ally. Couldn’t get too close. Not until he figured out his future. If he had one.

      * * *

      A waft of steam rose from the bowl of warmed soup on Cody’s granite counter. Cody’s counter. How had Ally gotten herself into this? She’d had a momentary lapse of judgment—that was how. But if the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, maybe the way to getting him to sell land was, too.

      If only Mom could have brought the soup over. But by the time Ally got back to warm it, Mom had already showered and was in her pajamas.

      As long as he’d been in the hospital and then rehab, Ally hadn’t worried about him. But obviously, she hadn’t realized how banged up he was. With him living next door and unable to walk across his own yard, he was like a magnet. Seeing him again, and seeing him in pain, had brought old feelings flooding back.

      Staying away from Cody was the smart thing to do. But he could barely walk, much less cook. Especially with no appliances. He needed her help.

      “So where have you been since you left the rehab center?” She leaned her hip against the breakfast bar.

      “I stayed with Grandpa in Medina until this morning.” He stood across the island from her, making quick work of the soup.

      “Medina is almost a six-hour trip. You should be resting.” She scanned the open floor plan, just to keep from looking at those mesmerizing eyes. Large roomy kitchen with a peninsula and a big eat-in area. The former owner had installed new cabinets and tiled floors a few years back, but Cody didn’t have a stick of furniture. No pictures or personal items, nothing on the paneled walls. Not to mention necessities like a refrigerator. “Do