dried her hair. Getting ready took significantly longer than she
expected, even with his help. Even though she’d assured him she
could make it to work on her own, he’d insisted on driving her and
picking her up. He drove her to the store and helped her from his
truck, and then he told her he’d be back in a little while with her
lunch. She was mildly surprised, having expected him to drop her off
and then pick her up that night after he was done.
“No, darlin’. I have to run home and change clothes, and then I’ll
pick you up some lunch and bring it back to you. You check in around
here and do anything that needs doing. Evelyn is staying until five,
and Leah is closing the store at the usual time. Your store runs like a
well-oiled machine. I’ll be picking you up at four o’clock.”
“Four o’clock? But—”
“You can come back to the ranch with me, or I can take you back
to your place for supper, and then you can get another good night’s
rest. I can stay with you again if you like, but one way or the other,
Evelyn and Leah are giving you the boot at four o’clock.”
“Uh-oh. I have prescriptions I need to fill.”
“I’ll drop them off for you and pick them up later. Do you need
something for pain right now?” She was at a loss at the prospect of
him caring for her when she was so used to taking care of herself.
“No, I have acetaminophen in my desk drawer.”
“Good, you make sure and take some. I hate to see you hurting.
I’ll see you with lunch in a bit. Sandwiches okay?”
“Um, yeah,” she replied, feeling heat flood her face when he
leaned down and kissed her cheek. He was even coming back to eat
with her? Wow.
“See you in a little while. Don’t climb any ladders,” he called,
looking back at her and giving her a cheeky grin as he walked away.
56
Heather Rainier
Of course, she did the mature thing and stuck her tongue out at him.
He chuckled and said, “Shouldn’t do that unless you’re willing to
share.”
He returned at lunchtime in different clothes and freshly shaved
with her prescriptions, a toasted ham and turkey sandwich made the
way she liked it, and a large sweet tea. She was impressed.
“How are you feeling?”
“Groggy and a little achy,” she replied, thanking him as he opened
the antibiotic and gave her a dose.
She looked at him wistfully, thinking that things had definitely
changed between them since yesterday. She felt relaxed around him
now.
“What is it, darlin’?”
I wish I could climb up in your lap and let you deal with the world
for a little while, big cowboy.
She closed her eyes and shrugged. “I feel wrung out and tired.
Maybe lunch will perk me up a bit. I appreciate everything you’ve
done for me. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Let me give it some thought, and I’ll get back to you on that after
you’re feeling better,” he said with a mischievous smile. “I may have
to extract payment from your flesh.”
She did the appropriate thing for once and laughed, then dug into
her lunch.
* * * *
Later that afternoon, Ash found her in the stockroom, directing
traffic and giving instructions. Her crew stood around her while she
assigned their tasks as he stood back and listened quietly.
He could tell her bandaged finger was throbbing again because
she had it elevated at her shoulder, and he worried that her back was
hurting also because she flinched when she pointed up at the tall racks
above her.
Spurs and Heels
57
Leah and Evelyn nodded, and the others went to their tasks.
Evelyn looked up and saw him standing at the door and smiled.
Looping her wrist through Juliana’s elbow, she escorted her over to
Ash.
“Juliana was just giving us final instructions for the evening, Ash.
She’s ready to go.”
Juliana rolled her eyes at Ash and said, “They’re giving me the
‘bum’s rush.’”
Evelyn patted Ash’s forearm and said, “She’s had a busy day and
needs to unwind now. Don’t worry about the store, Juliana. We’ll
make sure everyone stays on task. This will be excellent experience
for Leah. You don’t have a thing to worry about. Now you two have a
wonderful evening, and Juliana, go to bed early and get caught up on
your sleep.”
“Thank you, Miss Evelyn,” Ash said, tipping his hat to her. He
carefully took Juliana’s hand, mindful of her stitches. He liked the
way her delicate hand felt in his.
“I’ll get my purse and a couple of other things,” she said as she