A Family For The Rancher. Allison B. Collins

they were finished, he’d sweated through his T-shirt. Mopping his face off with a towel, he asked, “When can I get back on a horse?”

      Kelsey stacked her equipment against the wall. “Let’s shoot for a couple of weeks, okay?”

      “That long? I need to be up and riding faster than that.”

      “Why? What’s the rush?”

      He turned away and paced to the refrigerator. “Strong tourist season this year, and our ranch is full this summer. I need to help.” Opening a bottle of water, he drank deep.

      “How long have you been home from the hospital?”

      “Few months.”

      “And you were in for how long?”

      “Five.”

      “You don’t seem to understand that recovery from an injury like this takes time. We can’t rush it, or we’ll be doing more harm than good.”

      He handed her a bottle of water and opened another for himself. “I need to get to work. I’m out of the military, so I need to earn a living.”

      “Nash, please. Talk to your family. I’m sure they’ll under—”

      “No. Final answer.” He opened the door. “I suppose you’re coming back tomorrow for another torture session?”

      “Yes. And I’m bringing my medieval bag of tricks for you.”

      Feisty. “What time shall I expect the full rack?”

      “Probably a little later than today. I have to look at a rental property.”

      “I thought you lived in town.”

      She shook her head. “Just moved here with my mom and daughter, so we’re in a motel until we can find a house. Place I was ready to sign on last night fell through.”

      Guilt pricked him. She was driving an hour each way every day to help him, and he hadn’t been very nice. He brushed the guilt aside. It wasn’t like he’d invited her into his life of hell.

      “Kelsey, I was hoping I’d catch you before you left.”

      Nash turned at the sound of his dad’s voice from the front porch. Kelsey brushed past him, her fresh scent drifting on the air toward him.

      “Mr. Sullivan, it’s nice to see you again.”

      “Did I hear you’re looking for a place to live?”

      “Yes, sir. I am.”

      “I have just the thing for you, if you’re interested. There’s a cabin less than a quarter mile from here. Three bedrooms, two full baths, fully equipped kitchen.”

      Nash’s temper rose. He didn’t want her here to begin with, and now she was moving in?

      “Thank you, sir, but I couldn’t impose on you like this. I have a young daughter, and my mother lives with us.”

      Relieved that she’d turned down his dad’s offer, he moved to go back inside.

      “No imposition at all,” his dad replied.

      What the hell? He tried to catch his dad’s attention and stop this bad idea from going further, but the old man kept talking like he hadn’t seen Nash shaking his head.

      Just like always. Angus Sullivan ran roughshod, forcing his way of thinking onto his sons.

      “You can live there as long as you like, or until you find a place of your own. It’s just sitting empty right now. And you can put your daughter in our ranch day care. The woman who runs it is fully licensed. One of the benefits we have for our employees.”

      “You’re so kind, Mr. Sullivan.”

      “No kindness at all. You’re the one who has to put up with my surly son, so it’s the least I can do. In fact, feel free to use any of the guests’ amenities—swimming, riding, cookouts. There’s a party tomorrow night—you and your family are welcome to attend. Our annual midsummer barbecue.”

      “Thank you, sir.”

      “If you’re through with Nash for the day, I’ll take you over to see the cabin right now. Just follow me.” His dad glanced back at him. If Nash didn’t know better, he’d have sworn there was a gleam in his eye.

      “See you tomorrow, Nash,” she said, then got in her car.

      “Dad, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

      A loud screech, followed by a groan, then a backfire had them both wincing as Kelsey started her car.

      “This will keep her from having to drive all hours of the day and night in that piece of shit car. Besides, don’t you want to get better?”

      Fury rose, making him grind his teeth. He limped back into the cabin and slammed the door. The rapid-fire staccato of his dad’s laughter dug in deep, and he flinched.

       Chapter Three

      Kelsey zipped up her jeans and looked in the mirror standing in the corner of her bedroom. Butterflies fluttered in her belly, and she smoothed a hand over the pink-and-white gingham shirt. She hated parties, hated the small talk, hated how lonely she always felt at gatherings now that Rob was gone. He’d been the one to talk to everyone, made sure she was included in conversations and never left her alone. Now she avoided parties like the proverbial plague.

      But she’d let it slip to her mom while they were moving into the big cabin by the lake the day before that Mr. Sullivan had invited them to the barbecue. Nothing could keep Bunny Randolph from a social gathering.

      “You ready, pumpkin? We need to get going so we aren’t late.”

      She turned around as her mom walked in the door. Bound and determined to remain youthful looking, her freshly blond hair was curled to perfection.

      “Kelsey Anne, is that what you’re wearing? Why don’t you put on a dress?” The words were punctuated with a swirl of her mother’s flowered skirt.

      “Mom, it’s a barbecue. It’ll be outside. In the dirt.”

      “But men will be there, honey. Cowboys.”

      Her mom’s eyes gleamed, and Kelsey fought not to roll her eyes.

      “I’m not interested in meeting any of them. I’ve got my hands full already with my patient.”

      “Ooh! I can’t wait to meet hi—”

      “Mom, no. He’s not a potential date, lover, boyfriend or husband. He’s my patient, and when he’s back up and running, we’ll be moving on to the next job.”

      Her mother’s lips pouted. “I don’t see why you can’t dress up just a little. Show your appreciation for all Mr. Sullivan has done for us. Thank goodness he offered you this cabin. I couldn’t stand being cooped up in that motel one minute longer. I don’t see why the hospital couldn’t have helped out with the cost since you didn’t get the job we moved here for.”

      “Once again, it’s not the hospital’s fault they lost the funding for a therapist. I just need to scrimp a little more and we can move on.”

      The pout hadn’t left her mother’s red-lacquered lips, so she linked arms with her and pulled her toward the door. “Now we need to head on down to the lodge. Just because I’m not interested in the party doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Okay?”

      “All right.”

      They walked in to the living room, and Kelsey still couldn’t believe her luck that they’d be living here for the time being. It was like a log cabin on steroids, with luxurious yet comfortable furnishings and plenty of Western decor.

      Floor-to-ceiling