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With a nod, she began instructing him on how to do his reps. Moving up and down wasn’t easy, especially not when she had him pause and hold it. It didn’t take him too long to realize how weak he was, but he refused to cry uncle.
Over the next hour, Austin worked the weights, then the stretches as he labored to get through the series of exercises. He’d done some upper body strength training during his hospital stay, but nearly three months on his back had taken its toll. He’d always prided himself on his strength and agility. He didn’t have much of that right now. He felt weak as a kitten.
“Okay, you’re done for now.” Erin handed him a towel and a bottle of water as he sat up on the bench.
“You sure?” He wiped the sweat from his face. “I mean, you forgot to use the torture device.”
“I’ll bring that out next week.” She arched an eyebrow. “Come on, Austin. You knew this wasn’t going to be easy. You’re lucky to be standing on two legs. So don’t rush it.”
Okay, maybe she was right.
He took a drink and Erin did the same. She tipped her head back and took a long swallow of water from the bottle. A trickle of liquid found its way from her mouth to her chin, then down the long arch of her smooth neck.
He gulped the cool liquid, but it wasn’t enough to chill his thoughts. Damn. He’d been without female company for too long, recalling the times when he could rodeo all weekend and have some left over for celebrating. And he meant all night with the women. He brushed aside the memories as he looked down at his scar. He groaned.
The sound got Erin’s attention. “Something wrong?”
“Just frustrated. I want to be able to do more, and not have it be so difficult to get there.”
“Then use that frustration to drive you to do more, to go an extra step.” She grinned. “You’ll need it when I turn your sixty-minute sessions into ninety. And I’m not even going to charge you for the extra pain.”
He straightened at her comment. Hell, she was right. He had to stop letting his pride get to him, or he’d never get strong enough to ride a bull. “Okay, you’re on. I can deal with whatever you dish out.”
“Good attitude.” Her smile quickly turned into a yawn. “I hate to end this party, but I need to go home and get a few hours’ sleep before I’m due back here.”
Suddenly he didn’t want her to leave. “Sure.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Hey, you’re not going to get much time.” He got a crazy thought. “Why not just stay here and sleep?”
Erin looked at him and tried not to be shocked at his suggestion. “Oh, I can’t.”
“Why not? There’s a bed in the other bedroom. It’s only a twin, but I think you’ll fit.” He raised a hand. “Before you argue, by the time you drive to your apartment, sleep, then drive back again for the later session, you lose nearly two hours.”
Erin couldn’t deny she’d like the extra time. She hadn’t been sleeping well lately. Maybe she was taking on too much. She’d rather it be that than this man distracting her.
“Okay, I’ll just lie down for a while.”
“No, you’ll sleep until our next session. That’s nearly six hours.”
That sounded heavenly. “Okay, I’m too tired to argue. I’ll stay. This one time.”
With a nod, he reached for his brace and put it on. He stood with his walker and started out the door. “I’m not sure if there are any sheets that would fit it, but you can make do with a flat sheet.”
Erin followed him out into the hall, and he opened a linen closet. There were stacks of towels and two sets of sheets for his king-size bed.
She took the linens from him, and their hands brushed in the awkward exchange. She jumped back and he frowned.
“I can make this work.” Was she crazy? The man was her client. Yet she found that the simplest touch from this man sensitized her nerve endings. Why had her dormant sex drive suddenly been reawakened?
She glanced at Austin. Or was her condition just the result of this sexy cowboy? It was pretty bad that a man with a walker turned her on. Either way, she needed to keep a safe distance from him. And if she weren’t so exhausted, she’d walk out the door. Instead, she was going to sleep in his house.
“I should go make up the bed.” She turned and walked into the small bedroom. There was a pillow and a comforter covering the mattress. She quickly went to work adding the sheets. By the time she was finished, there was a knock on the door.
She answered it. Austin smiled as he reached out his hand, holding a T-shirt and a new toothbrush. “I thought you might like something to sleep in.”
* * *
“WHAT ARE YOU doing back here?”
Later that afternoon, Austin stood in the doorway, blocking the entrance to keep his business manager from coming in. Erin was still asleep, and the last person he wanted around here was Jay. He already made too much of her being his therapist.
“What do you mean, what am I doing here? You’re not just my client, but also my friend, Austin.” With briefcase in hand, Jay stepped over the threshold and into the house. “And I wanted to make sure you’re doing okay.”
Austin wasn’t buying it. “I have two brothers and my father around.” Not that the old man cared about him. “My two sisters-in-law keep me fed. So enjoy your off-duty time. Go on a vacation.”
Jay frowned. “I wouldn’t do that, not when you’re still recovering. Besides, I need to keep all the fires going so people won’t forget you. We’re going to need to plan some big promotion for your comeback.”
Damn, why did that make him feel so old? Hell, he was old. He made his way to the sofa and sat down. “Let me get through this rehab, Jay. Then we’ll talk.”
The older man frowned. “Why? What’s wrong? I knew it—that therapist you hired isn’t working out. I can fire her for you. I know of this private rehab center outside Denver.”
“No, Jay. I told you, I want to stay here while I recuperate. This is my home, my ranch.” He realized he liked having his own place and his brothers around. “Besides, wouldn’t the media find me easier in a rehab center?”
His manager shrugged. “You’re probably right.” He lifted his briefcase onto the table. “The other reason I’m here is I have some papers that need your signature.”
Austin leaned back on the sofa. His leg had been throbbing since his last session, but he refused to take any meds. So he wasn’t in the mood to go over any contracts, especially something new until he was sure of his future. “Just leave them and I’ll go over them later.”
Jay frowned. “They can’t wait, Austin. They’re tax papers. Look, just put your signature on the bottom where I made the X and I’ll do the rest.”
There were things about Jay he loved, like the fact that he’d taken him on as a client when he was a no-name bull rider. They both had made a lot of money on his talent and Jay’s business cunning. Austin trusted him, but he wasn’t foolish enough to sign anything blind, either. “Are you in town for a while?”
Jay shrugged. “I need to be in Dallas in a few days.”
He stood and started for the door, hoping he could get Jay out of the house before he woke Erin. “Okay, I’ll get them back to you before then. What hotel are you at?”
“Hotel? I thought you might offer me your guest room.”
Austin turned quickly to tell Jay he needed his space when he caught the end of the coffee table with his walker and it tipped him off balance. He did the windmill stroke with his arms, but he only managed to knock over a lamp, and they both crashed to the floor. Pain shot through his butt as he hit the hardwood.
Jay started over to help him when Erin came rushing out from down the hall, all that rich auburn hair flying around her sleep-ridden face. What got his attention was her state of undress. She was wearing his T-shirt that hung to midthigh. Oh, boy, those legs.
“Austin, don’t move,” she called and was kneeling down at his side. Her hands went to work examining his legs and arms. “Do you hurt anywhere?”
He brushed aside her concern and sat up. “Yeah, my bony butt.”
She frowned. “Not your leg?”
A shadow appeared over them. He glanced up at Jay.
“Well, I can understand why you didn’t need me here. Seems your therapist has everything under control.”
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER, the sun was setting over the mountains as Austin sat at the kitchen table enjoying the quiet peacefulness. In the dimming light, he could also see his brother Cullen’s horses grazing in the pasture. Thanks to the heavy rainfall over the past few months, the grass was high and green. Soon, the snow would come to the area. Great for the ski resorts around Hidden Springs, but hard on the cattle rancher. He didn’t have to worry since he hoped to be gone by winter. He glanced down at his injured leg. Already he’d gained more physical strength.
His attention strayed when he heard the rattle of the old water pipes from the bathroom. He’d convinced Erin to take a shower here so she could go straight to the center for her night shift.
Bad idea. His imagination was going wild. All he could picture was her naked body covered in soap, the spray massaging away her troubles and tense muscles.
Suddenly a knock sounded and Austin jumped as the door swung open and his twin brother walked in, carrying a large container of food. “Delivery for Austin Brannigan.”
Well, that sure threw cold water on his erotic thoughts. Austin started to get up. “Hey, good to see you.”
Cullen motioned for him to stay seated. “Let me come to you, A.” He put the food on the stove, then came and sat down with him. “You’re in for a treat tonight—Shelby’s lasagna. There’s also a green salad and garlic bread.” Cullen hit the switch and turned on the kitchen light, showing off the room’s flaws. Old knotty-pine cabinets and tiled counters, though the appliances were in much better condition.
“Are you sitting in the dark for a reason?”
“No, just watching the sun go down over the mountains. It’s an incredible view.”
Cullen straddled the chair across from him and gazed out the window. “It does look good. I like the repairs I put in, a lot of painting and new fencing. All in all, the place looks good.”
“And I want to pay you for my share,” Austin insisted.
“Let’s get you in better shape first, and I’ll have you work it off. The kids that come here to ride would get a kick out of meeting you.” Cullen held up his hand. “I know—we’ll wait until you’re better.”
Austin had to admit he was glad to be in his new home. “Not a bad place to recuperate.”
“I guess if you get lonely, I can bring that trailer back here. I can see how you’d miss all that sparkle. The kids were all curious about that ‘sparkly’ house.”
They both laughed, and then Cullen turned to face his twin. “Did I tell you I’m glad you’re home?”
Austin could feel the emotions surfacing. “Yeah, you did. You know I’m not going to be here forever?”
“Yeah. Yeah. You’re going back to bull riding. But I’d be happy if you’d use the ranch as your home base, and come back and visit your family, brothers and nephews.” A grin appeared on his face. “And I’m hoping in the not-too-far-off future, a niece or another nephew.”
Austin studied his brother. “A baby. You and Shelby are pregnant?”
Cullen shook his head. “No. We’re both busy with everything else right now, especially Shelby’s catering business and bakery. And my security business.”
In the bedroom, Erin slipped on a fresh shirt she’d found in her bag, then straightened the room and started down the hall. She had a clean uniform at the center and time enough to grab some food on the way before her shift. She stopped, hearing men’s voices. Please, don’t let it be Jay Bridges.
She put her bag next to the sofa, then turned the corner to the kitchen as she called Austin’s name.
“Hey, Austin. I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving.” She stopped, seeing the two brothers together. They might not be identical, but pretty close. “Oh, hi, Cullen.”
“Hi, Erin.” He stood and hugged her. “Hey, how’s this guy treating you?”
“Not bad. I just have to listen to a lot of complaining.”
“I can’t help that. He was born that way.” Cullen started out of the room. “Well, I need to get back home to the family. Enjoy the lasagna.” He looked at her. “There’s plenty for two, Erin. Stay and eat.” He waved goodbye and left them.
She turned back to Austin. “I should really go, too.”
“No, please, Erin, stay,” he pleaded. “I hate to eat alone. Besides, I need to talk to you.”
She was weak and relented. “Okay, only because it smells so good. I don’t have much time, so you sit there, and I’ll get the food.” She moved around the kitchen, gathering plates and flatware. Once at the table she sat down across from him and cut a section of the casserole for each of them. She couldn’t hold back a groan as she took a bite.
Austin stuck his fork into his mouth, but he couldn’t taste anything. Damn if Erin wasn’t distracting him again.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” she asked.
“Well, I was thinking about all the time it takes you running back and forth from here, then home and to work. All that trouble has to exhaust you, especially since your apartment is on the other side of town.”
With her nod, he went on to say, “The ranch isn’t that far from the convalescent center...”
With fork in hand, Erin paused. “What are you trying to say?”
“Well, it only makes sense, since you’re running back and forth so much... I don’t see why you can’t just move in here.”
Chapter Four (#ud3c79c46-1c68-57e6-81f1-5b32d61a75e8)
Later that night, Erin walked down the hall at the convalescent center. Everyone was sleeping soundly in her ward, or so she thought until she peeked into Hattie’s room. She heard the quiet sobs and went to see if she was in distress.
The private room was dimly lit, and even with the patient’s personal items and pictures, it still looked like a hospital. But sweet Hattie’s Alzheimer’s disease made it impossible for her to live on her own. With her husband deceased and her three children unable to care for her any longer, she needed to stay here. It was sad to see someone who once had been so vital and active be confined to a room unless medicated, or have an attendant assist her, including to the bathroom.
She walked to the side of the bed, the railing up to keep the slight woman from wandering off. She was crying. Erin immediately spoke her name, then placed a gentle hand on her back.
“Hattie... What’s the matter?”
The older woman raised her head to show the tears that filled her blue eyes. Her bony veined hand reached out and gripped Erin’s. “I want my Johnny. His last letter said he was coming home. He said the war was over, so we can get married now.”
“Sshh...it’s okay, Hattie.” Erin knew that Hattie’s husband had been gone for over five years, but in her heart and world, he was still very much alive. “He will be here soon. You know all that red tape in the army. Johnny wouldn’t miss your wedding.”
A sweet smile appeared on her lined face. Her eyes were bright with tears. “I can’t wait to be his wife.” She sighed. “And he looks so handsome in his uniform.”
“I can’t wait to meet him,” Erin told her. “Do you want me to read his letter to you again?”
“Yes, please. I would like that.” Hattie shifted against the pillows. “Johnny writes me the most wonderful letters.”
Erin reached into the bedside table and took out a letter that Hattie’s children had given her. How wonderful that in this woman’s now-confused world, she remembered the love of her life.
Erin couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever experience that kind of love. Once she thought she’d met the man of her dreams. She found that her husband’s love hadn’t been nearly as strong as she’d hoped. Over a year after his death, and she was still turned off men. Suddenly a picture of Austin Brannigan flashed in her head. Okay, maybe not all men.
She pushed the thought aside as she opened the yellowed paper and was transformed back over sixty years as she began to read, “‘My dearest Hattie...’”
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING at nearly nine o’clock, Austin began to pace back and forth, and occasionally he looked out the window. Where was Erin? The session was to begin an hour ago. Had she decided not to come anymore since he’d suggested she move in here?
He leaned against the counter in front of the kitchen window, his leg aching like the devil. He reached for his walker. He still hated using the damn thing. He hoped that with Erin’s help, soon he’d be walking on his own.
