The Doctor Wore Boots

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Dex hung up the receiver. It took him three long beats to prepare himself to reenter the dining room.

“It was one of the people I met in Chicago,” he announced to the expectant faces still gathered around the table. “I should have word in a few days.”

Nods and sounds of acknowledgment echoed around the room. Grandfather Cooper maintained a solemn, clearly skeptical expression.

Dex pulled his chair out and sat down. He looked at his plate, laden with eggs, bacon and biscuits, just in time to see a Cheerio land in the middle of the two sunny-side up eggs. His gaze met the wicked one belonging to his five-year-old niece, who was sitting on the opposite side of the table eating dry cereal from a bowl.

“Morning, Uncle Ty. You’re a sleepyhead this mornin’,” she accused.

Before Dex could think of an appropriate response, the rest of the men stood.

“The day’s a wastin’. We’d better get going,” Court suggested.

Another Cheerio plopped into Dex’s plate. “I’ll just eat something later,” he said as he pushed up from his chair.

Grandmother Cooper frowned. “Don’t rush out without your breakfast. You can catch up with your brothers later.”

“Really,” Dex assured her. “I’m good.”

He left the room amid a chorus of “Uncle Tys!” resounding behind him. The twins had joined his niece, whom Dex now mentally dubbed the princess, in her farewell dramatics. Dex was pretty sure he’d never faced an opponent in the boardroom as formidable as those three kids.

Considering he was staying for the next few days under the same roof with them, he couldn’t see how things could get any worse.

Once in the yard, Court said, “Chad, you want to oversee the barn work while Ty and I check out the fencing?”

“Will do.”

Check out the fencing? He could do that, Dex decided. He followed Court to the barn. He paused in front of two stalls where a couple of massive horses resided.

“Saddle up, bro.” Court clapped Dex on the back. “We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”

Dex stared at the horse eyeing him suspiciously. Things had just gotten worse.

WHEN COURT finally called it a day, Dex had a complete understanding of the phrase “too long in the saddle.” Every part of his lower body ached.

Sliding off the horse proved almost as difficult as mounting the huge beast had. By the time Dex had gotten into the saddle, Court was convinced the whole routine was an act to make him laugh. He’d laughed so hard he’d nearly cried when he’d had to tighten the cinch. Dex had tried to emulate Court as he saddled his own horse, but obviously he hadn’t gotten it exactly right.

Taking small careful steps now, Dex headed toward the house. He needed a long, hot soak in the tub. He needed food and drink. No. Strike that. What he really needed was a half dozen or so protein shakes and then a double Scotch to finish it off.

He winced with each step. How could anyone like this lifestyle?

“Ty!”

Dex looked in the direction of the driveway and the unexpected but welcome sound of Leanne’s voice. Already he knew it by heart. He was far too exhausted to consider why.

“Leanne,” he acknowledged. “How are you today?”

She frowned, the gesture deepening the worry already clouding her expression. “We need to talk.”

Something was wrong. Dex could see it in her eyes. He had the sudden urge to put his arm around her slender shoulders and assure her that everything would be fine. He gave himself a mental shake. Slow down, he warned. This was a mistake he did not intend to make. He recalled Ty’s warning, but the urge to reassure her still nagged at him.

“Okay,” he said instead, tucking his hands into his back pockets as a precaution.

She glanced around. “Not here.” Her too-serious gaze landed on his once more. “Do you mind taking a ride to my place?”

The thought of sitting down in anything other than hot water almost made him say no, but the need to put that smile back on her pretty face prevailed.

“Why not?” He offered his arm. “I’d be pleased to.”

Looking even more worried, she placed her arm in his and walked with him to her old truck. He opened the door for her then hustled around to the passenger door as quickly as he dared. But lowering himself into the seat proved the most difficult task.

“Are you sure you’re feeling all right, Ty?” she asked, her fingers poised on the key in the ignition.

“Fabulous,” Dex returned. “Just fabulous.”

Shaking her head she started the engine.

This young lady seemed to know Ty better than anyone else. At least, she appeared to be the only one suspicious of Dex. He studied her lovely profile as she drove away from the Circle C. His muscles tightened just looking at her, in spite of his numerous aches.

He definitely had to watch his step around her.

LEANNE STOOD NEXT to Ty on her back porch and surveyed the dream her father had started five years ago. Her mother was resting in her room. She wouldn’t like it if she knew what Leanne was about to do. But she had to tell him before she lost her nerve. She had to be honest, especially in light of recent events. She’d thought about it all night.

“I know you remember my father dreamed of turning this place into a dude ranch.” She looked up at Ty. He looked at a loss for a moment, then nodded. Leanne peered back out over the nearly finished guest cabins and the waiting pool. “I want to make it happen, Ty,” she said quietly, bracing herself for his response.

A full minute ticked by in silence.

“It’s not what either of our families wants,” she hastened to add. “I know that. But it wouldn’t affect the grazing land. The Circle C could continue to lease the grazing land, all of it if they want. That wouldn’t be a problem.”

He looked at her then. She couldn’t read what he was thinking or feeling. Please, she prayed, let him understand.

“This is what you want?” he asked, his tone carefully measured.

She nodded. “Very much.”

He took off his hat and threaded his fingers through his hair, then replaced the hat as if he weren’t used to having to bother. Her frown deepened. What was it that made him seem so different since he’d come back from Chicago? Even the way he talked was wrong somehow.

He took the four steps down from the porch then turned back to her. “Do you mind if we walk?”

She shook her head and hurried down the steps after him.

“Is the wiring and plumbing for the guest cottages complete?” he asked as they crossed the yard.

“Yes,” she answered, afraid to hope. “I still have some painting and clean-up work to do. I’ll have to buy furniture and pool chemicals. But I can be ready in a few months if I work on it every chance I get.”

He paused near the pool and stared at her. “You’re doing this alone?”

She sighed. “I didn’t want to tell you.” She hung her head. “I know what our families have always wanted.” As difficult as it was, she met his gaze. “But this is what I want.” How did she tell the man that she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life as just his wife? She didn’t want to hurt him. She cared about him. Deeply. She just wasn’t in love with him. And she desperately wanted to see her father’s wish come true.

“You could hire a contractor to finish up,” he suggested, while studying the dark, mossy-green color of the pool water. It would take lots of chemicals to clear up that mess.

“That takes more money than I can afford to spend,” she told him. It annoyed her because he of all people should know her circumstances. Well, at least, to a degree. She and her mother were too proud to tell the whole story. “I’d rather do the work myself anyway. That’s what my father would have done.”

He nodded. “Well, I think it’s a great idea. Dude ranches are usually a big hit when operated properly. Are there—” He cut himself off abruptly. “Have you researched the probability of success?”

“If you’re asking if I’ve done my homework, the answer is yes. There isn’t one anywhere near here,” she said, hardly believing he’d even asked. “Tourists love this part of the state, as you well know. I think it would be a tremendous success.”

“All right, then.” He braced his hands on his lean hips and studied the guest cabins that circled the pool. “I’ll help you.”

Leanne felt a ripple of shock. “What did you say?”

He shrugged awkwardly. “I’ll help you. Court and Chad have things at the Circle C under control. There’s no reason I can’t pitch in here.” His gaze locked with hers, and heat roared straight through her. “Isn’t it the neighborly thing to do?”

Leanne couldn’t argue with that reasoning.

Truth be told, she didn’t want to. Another little shock wave shook her.

“Well, then.” He smiled, sending her heart into a wild tattoo. “Let’s do it.”

Before she could stop herself she’d thrown her arms around him. “Thank you for understanding, Ty,” she murmured against his neck.

“It’s nothing,” he argued, his posture rigid.

Darn it. She didn’t want to cry. But the tears came anyway. She held onto him with all her might and cried into his shirt. “I’m sorry,” she muttered.

“It’s all right.” His arms closed around her waist sending a new shard of heat slicing through her. “I—” He let go a heavy breath. His arms tightened around her, drawing her nearer. “It’s okay,” he said softly, his breath whispering against her cheek.

And she knew it would be.

Because Ty had told her so. He’d never let her down before.

Chapter Four

For a long time after Leanne dropped Dex back at the Cooper ranch he just stood watching as the dust that had billowed from beneath her old truck settled. He thought about the day he’d spent on horseback with Court, touring the grazing pastures, surveying the fencing. The Cooper ranch was pretty spectacular. Dex couldn’t recall spending that much time in such a wide-open space ever before. He couldn’t think about that without remembering the ribbing he’d taken from Chad when it took him three tries to mount Ty’s horse. None of it seemed quite real.