A NEW ARRIVAL ON THE RANCH...

Champion bull rider Austin Brannigan has returned home to the family ranch to recover from his injury. Only his world is turned on its head when he finds out he has a three-month-old daughter who has no one in the world but him.

As a father, Austin is totally out of his depth. But his physical therapist, the beautiful and determined Erin Carlton, is stepping into the role of temporary mom very quickly. It may not be in her job description, and it may mean putting hopes of her own family on hold. What about Austin’s dreams, which mean being out on the circuit? Will baby Lilly help Austin and Erin create a new dream of family?

Erin brushed her hand over Lilly’s head.

“This little one needs you.”

“And I’m going to try to be here for her,” Austin told her. “And I mean that, Erin. I’m not asking you to raise my daughter. I’m asking you to help me until I’m standing firmly on both feet.”

She nodded, looking down at the baby in his arms. “Let’s do this week to week. Starting first with the doctor’s visit in four days, then see where to go to from there.”

Austin studied her, suddenly remembering what she’d been talking about. “It seems Lilly interrupted us earlier. Do you mind telling me about this IVF treatment?”

She glanced away, but he saw the sadness in her green eyes. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

A Colorado Family

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

PATRICIA THAYER was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, the second in a family of eight children. She attended Ball State University before heading west, where she has called Southern California home for many years. There she’s been a member of the Orange County Chapter of RWA. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When not working on a story, she might be found traveling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while enjoying time with her husband, Steve. Together, they have three grown sons, four grandsons and one granddaughter, whom Patricia calls her own true-life heroes.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Erin Carlton blinked several times, trying to stay awake as she drove along the Colorado highway. Last night’s graveyard shift at the Mountain View Convalescent Center had been a rough one. During her rounds there had been two emergencies. Luckily, nothing too serious. Yet with Alzheimer’s patients, you had to expect the unexpected, even if it was only to give them reassurance.

She leaned back in the cargo van’s seat and began to relax her tense muscles as she focused on the majestic Rocky Mountains. A fresh start here in Hidden Springs had been a good idea. She’d made friends, been able to save money, but still she didn’t have enough...yet. That was the reason she was going to this interview.

She glanced down at the written directions given to her for her appointment, not exactly sure of the location of the ranch.

If she got this part-time job, the money would be strictly for her special account. If she weren’t so close to reaching her goal amount, she’d be home in bed, sleeping away the cool autumn day. But the money offered for this position was too good to turn down, even if she’d been warned ahead of time about the hard-to-deal-with client. Not that hard work ever stopped her before.

Erin turned off the main road and saw the sign to the Circle R Ranch, then another sign for Georgia’s Therapy Riding Center. She smiled at the thought of her friends Brooke and Trent Landry, who were involved in the program for special-needs kids. If she knew how to ride a horse, she might help out, too. But this city gal didn’t have any desire to take on a horse.

She drove through the ranch’s main gate and followed the long row of white-slatted fence. There were several horses grazing in the green pasture. She passed the large red barn and several outbuildings that had recently been painted a glossy white.

She parked in the driveway of the large two-story gray-and-white house where two men were standing on the wraparound porch. She recognized Trent right away, and next to him was his stepbrother, Hidden Springs’ new sheriff, Cullen Brannigan. She’d met him a few times when he’d been called out to the center. His new wife, Shelby, had brought the residents some desserts from her new bakery.

Erin parked next to the house and climbed out of the van. Trent came down to greet her. “Good morning, Erin.” He hugged her.

“Morning to you, too. Sorry I’m late. My shift ran over.”

Trent was a good-looking man, ex-military, and still kept in shape. A few years ago, he took over his father’s ranch and began raising cattle. And he found Erin’s friend Brooke and had the good sense to marry her.

“You’re not late,” Trent said. “I told you if nothing else, this job would be flexible. You can work around your hours.” He glanced at the man with him. “Sorry, Erin. Have you met Cullen Brannigan?”

“Yes. Nice to see you, Sheriff.”

He smiled. “Same here, Erin.”

Coming from Las Vegas, she’d met her share of phonies. From what she heard around town, these two men were as real as they came.

“Well, I appreciate you coming out and talking with us.” Cullen blew out a breath. “Although I have to warn you, this patient isn’t the most congenial person right now. And he needs to keep his rehab a secret. No one is to know he’s here.”

She tried not to show her concern. Who was this guy, an undercover cop? “I wouldn’t tell anyone. Who is this person?”

Cullen exchanged a glance with Trent. “He’s my twin brother, Austin. He’s a champion bull rider who was badly injured about three months ago. His leg was damaged pretty badly, and he’s had to have several surgeries. He’s finally out of the hospital and is ready to rehab.”

They didn’t want her for a nursing job? “Do you need me to recommend a therapist?”

“No, Erin. We hope between your nursing and your experience with physical therapy, you might be able to help Austin. Brooke told me how you worked with your husband through his intense rehab.”

Erin felt the familiar tightness in her chest. The pain of losing Jared had faded some in the past eighteen months, but she’d always regret not being able to do more to help him. But her husband had to deal with more than a physical disability.

She glanced away, then said, “If his doctor is okay with me working with him, then I’m willing. When would you want me to start?”

Trent and Cullen exchanged a glance. What weren’t they telling her?

“The doctor isn’t the problem, but the patient might be,” Trent said. “Austin hasn’t been the easiest person to get along with. He’s run off three other caregivers. So I’ll understand if you want to leave right now.”

“Bad attitude is understandable. Therapy is a lot of hard work, and most times painful. But if he wants to regain the use of his leg, he’ll need therapy. Which rehab center is he in?”

Another look went between the brothers, and then Trent spoke up. “He’s not in a rehab center. He’s staying here at the ranch.”

Cullen raised a hand. “He had all the equipment he needs delivered here. If you decide not to take this case, the fewer people who know the better.”

“Of course. I never discuss my patients.”

“You can’t even mention that you know he’s here in town. If the media get wind of his location, they’ll be camped out all over the place.”

She sighed. At the very least, she was fascinated just to meet this person. “When do I get to meet this man?”

“How about now?” Trent escorted her to a golf cart. “Austin has moved into the old foreman’s house.” She sat in the front seat, Cullen drove, and Trent climbed in the back.

The cart bounced along the gravel road that led to a smaller gray-and-white house. Cullen got out and escorted her up to the small porch. “Just remember my brother isn’t at his best. So don’t take anything he says personally.”

She straightened. “Lead me to the tyrant.”

“Don’t say we didn’t warn you.” Trent opened the door, then called out, “Hey, brother. Someone is here to see you.”

She followed the two men inside to the living room, where a dark leather sofa and a chair were grouped around a fireplace. Over the mantel hung a large flat-screen television. A dark brown rug covered hardwood floors.

“What a cozy room.”

“Thanks. We’ve been working on the place ever since we knew Austin needed a place to recuperate.” He started down the hall and called out again. “Austin...”

A string of curse words came from the back of the house, along with a crashing sound. All three of them ran down the hall.

Trent swung open the bedroom door, Erin close behind. She saw a man with scraggly, sandy-brown hair lying on the large bed, but his water pitcher was on the floor. The man caused her to do a double take.

Austin Brannigan was gorgeous. Rugged good looks, with a two-day growth of beard shadowing his strong jaw. His chest was bare, with a sprinkling of dark hair covering his well-defined muscles. Her gaze moved to a sheet that barely covered his waist and anything south of that. His left foot and calf were enclosed by a long removable cast, but still she got a glimpse of an angry scar peeking out the top.

“Like what you see, darlin’?”

Her attention darted back to his face, and those gray eyes zeroed in on her. She fought her reaction and lost. “Yeah, I do.” She walked closer to the bed, channeling her years of nursing training. Show him who’s in charge. “All except the attitude. So if you ditch that we might be able to work together.”

Austin Brannigan tensed, but caught his brothers’ smiles. He wasn’t in the mood to be amused. His leg ached like the devil, and he hadn’t been able to do the simplest tasks. “I take it you’re the new recruit.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’ll wait and see how the interview goes.”

He stiffened. “I guess you’re forgetting who’s hiring you.”

The pretty redhead strolled around the room as if she had a right to. Then she flashed those big emerald green eyes at him, and he felt a jolt of awareness deep in his gut. Damn.

She moved closer to the bed. “And I guess you forgot how bad you need me.”

He might like this. He’d been without a woman far too long. “Oh, darlin’, you have no idea.” He caught the frown from Trent and Cullen, but ignored it.

The new nurse put her fists on her hips as her gaze moved over his body, stopping at the sheet. “Oh, I think I do.” Quickly, her gaze returned to his face. “Okay, Mr. Brannigan. We can do this a few different ways, easy or hard. We work together as a unit and I’ll help with your recovery, or we fight, which I guarantee will make it more difficult, or you can just tell me to leave. What will it be?”

He was used to being in charge. People did what he wanted, not the other way around. But he had a feeling this woman knew what she was doing. He glanced again at his brothers in the doorway. “Do you mind leaving us alone?”

Trent looked at the woman. “Erin, it’s up to you.”

“I’m fine.” She looked back at Austin. “I have a black belt in karate.”

That brought a smile to Cullen’s and Trent’s faces. “Good luck... Austin.” The door closed, shutting them in silence.

The woman spoke first. “My name is Erin Carlton, Mr. Brannigan. I’m a registered nurse and I’ve had some training in physical therapy, but I’m not certified. I know your sister-in-law, Brooke, from a time when we both lived in Las Vegas. I understand you’re someone famous and you don’t want anyone to know you’re here during your rehab. Just so you know, I’d never reveal a patient’s confidentiality.”

He began to relax. “It’s Austin.”

She nodded. “Would you mind telling me what happened?”

Yeah, he did, but he began the story anyway. “My brothers might have told you some already. I was competing in the short round at the Frontier Days Rodeo last July and leading in points.” Damn, he’d played the accident over and over in his head and never could understand how everything went so wrong. “I was thrown and got caught up in my rigging on my way down, and a two-thousand-pound bull named Sidewinder had his way with me.”

He rubbed his thigh absently, trying not to relive the nightmare. “The doctor put my leg back together with the aid of a titanium rod. Now all I want to do is rebuild the strength in my leg and get back on the circuit.”

Erin didn’t react to his announcement. “Have you had any therapy?”

“Some, but I just got here this week.” He nodded to the door. “There’s a boatload of equipment in the bedroom across the hall. Dr. Michael Kentrell did the surgery. You should talk to him.”

She nodded. “I plan to, if I take your case.”

He frowned. “And I haven’t decided you’re the person for this job, either. What’s your experience?”

“I told you, I’m a nurse and I presently work with Alzheimer’s patients.” Her gaze met his. “I do some therapy with my patients at the Mountain View Convalescent Center, but my most intense sessions were with my husband. He was wounded during his deployment in Afghanistan. I worked nearly a year on his therapy.”

She was married. He glanced down at his ringless finger. “What were his injuries?”

She straightened. “Jared caught shrapnel in his calf and thigh, tore his muscles to shreds. He also had head trauma.”

“Was he able to walk again?”

She shrugged. “Some, but he never gained total strength in his leg.”

Austin wasn’t sure what to say next, seeing the pain in Erin Carlton’s eyes. Those pretty green eyes.

Did he want this distracting woman around all the time? Having her close, touching him, causing him to react? So far she was also the only person who’d dared to stand up to him. He doubted she’d be easy on him.

“If you work for me, how soon could you start?”

She blinked at the question, then recovered and said, “That all depends. I need to talk with your physician.”

He nodded toward the dresser. “There’s my medical file and instructions for my therapy.”

She picked it up and began to read it.

* * *

“I WAS HOPING that you could work every day. My goal is to get well enough to get back on the circuit. So I’ll need someone who’s dedicated to work with me. I’ve lost my top ranking for this year, but I plan to be back on the circuit as soon as possible.” Most importantly, before he lost any product endorsements.

She looked up from her reading. “Firstly, I’ll be working with you. And secondly, I have a full-time job at the center.”

“That isn’t going to work for me. I need you full-time with me.”

She straightened. “There are only so many hours in a day, Mr. Brannigan.”

“It’s Austin.”

“Austin. Like I said, I can’t be in both places, and I can’t function on no sleep.”

“Then work with me exclusively.” He tossed out an amount of money that was crazy even to him.

She couldn’t hide her shock. “I won’t give up my job at the center. Let’s see what I can come up with. But if I agree to work with you, I’ll have a few rules. Unless you’re an invalid, which you’re not, I won’t clean up after you.” She looked at the mess on the floor.

“That was an accident.”

She didn’t look convinced and held up the file. “May I take this with me to study your case?”

“If you’re taking me on.”

She nodded. “If we can work out a schedule.”

He was suddenly excited she was working with him. He stared at the pretty redhead with those big green eyes. Her complexion wasn’t pale or pasty; she had more of an olive skin tone.

Stop! he chided himself. He couldn’t think of her as a woman. Besides, she was married to a soldier. That makes her off-limits. Not that he was in any shape to do anything.

Erin started for the door. “I’ll get back to you tomorrow as soon as I make arrangements with my supervisor.” She studied him. “Are you sure you want to pay the amount? It’s twice the going rate.”

He nodded. “It is if you’re dedicated to helping me get back on my feet.”

She smiled. “You’re the only one who can accomplish what you need. All I do is help rebuild the strength in your leg. I’ll help you walk, Austin, but you’ll have to get yourself on a bull.”

“Guaranteed, I’ll do it.”

“Good. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.” She walked out, and he found he wanted to call her back.

Damn, he had to get himself together if he was going to make this work. He had to forget that Erin Carlton was a woman. If he needed some stress relief, he had plenty of phone numbers of plenty of women. No. He shook his head. He needed to concentrate on regaining his status as top bull rider.

There was a knock on the door, and then Cullen stuck his head inside. “So you managed to find someone to help you with your crazy scheme.”

“It’s not crazy, bro. It’s my profession, and I’m good at it.”

Austin had grown up with the fact that Cullen was the good twin. The best student, a college graduate, and he even became a cop like their dad. Now he was the town sheriff with a smoking-hot wife, Shelby, and an adopted son, Ryan.

“I heard what the doctor told you when you came to from your concussion. Your leg is pieced together with metal rods. It might never be as strong as before. You’ve already gotten to the top in ranking, won every championship possible and made a fortune on endorsements. Why can’t you retire now?”

“How would you like to retire from police work?”

“I would in a second. I’ve learned what’s important, A.” His brother tossed out the nickname as if they were still kids. “Find a nice woman and settle down. You own half this ranch—the possibilities are endless.”

“I haven’t found anything or any woman who I’d give up my lifestyle for.”

“Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox, for now.” Cullen checked his watch. “I need to get to the station. Shelby will bring you some lunch. Do you need anything before I go?”

He sat up and slowly swung his legs over the side. “No, I can get around okay. Sorry I’ve been such a pain.”

Cullen grinned. “Why should anything change? You’ve always been a pain in the butt, little brother.” He walked to the door.

“Hey, you’re only five minutes older than me.” He sobered. “Hey, about Erin Carlton. Her husband... I take it he was in the military?”

“Yeah, Jared was a decorated marine. On his third deployment his Humvee was hit by an IED. There were complications to his injures.” His brother held his gaze. “Sergeant First Class Jared Carlton died eighteen months ago.” His brother started for the door, then stopped. “Just a little warning. This isn’t your rodeo, so if you hurt Erin, you’re going to have to deal with me.”

“Hey, I’m the one with the bad leg.”

Cullen didn’t say a word as he walked out.

There was no need. Austin knew what his brother was talking about. He didn’t have the best reputation when it came to women. Being in the rodeo made it easy to take his pick without having to think about the consequences. That was both a blessing and a curse.

Chapter Two

A few hours later, nature called and Austin finally got out of bed. He strapped on his booted cast, grabbed his walker, then made his way into the bathroom. After months flat on his back, being upright was a luxury he didn’t take for granted anymore. Since he’d gotten out of the private hospital outside Denver, he’d decided he had to work hard to get back to the man he once was. That was why he was going to do everything possible to move on to rehab.

His thoughts turned to Mrs. Carlton. She was pretty enough, but a little short with a fuller figure than he preferred. So it was definitely a good thing he wasn’t attracted to redheads. Besides, she had an attitude.

“Stop it, Brannigan. Even if you did find her appealing, you’re in no shape to be sidetracked.”

He needed to be focused only on his goal. Question was, would Erin Carlton push him hard enough? He wasn’t sure if she could, but he was intrigued when she hadn’t backed down from him.

He washed up and looked in the bathroom mirror. After running a brush through his hair, he brushed his teeth. He’d forgo a shave until his brother came by later to help him shower. He knew his limits.

After he managed to get on a fresh pair of workout shorts and a T-shirt, he made his way down the hall. His leg throbbed like the blazes, but going back to the bed was too depressing. Besides, the doctor said there would be pain. It could take a good year before it went away, and that when the weather changed his leg might alert him to that fact, too.

Hell, he knew about pain. He was a bull rider.

The twenty feet he walked from the bathroom was agony, but he didn’t stop. Finally he got to the sofa and sat down. Sweat broke out on his face as he pushed his walker to the side and gently lifted his leg to the coffee table. He eyed the long scar that peered out of the top of his cast.

Every day from now on, he’d be reminded how bad things were for him, and how lucky he was to be alive, even if he might have a slight limp for the rest of his days.

Exhausted, he collapsed back on the sofa and recalled how he’d begged the renowned surgeon to save his mangled leg. It had been touch and go for that first week, but the miracle surgery worked. Now the rest was up to him.

“Damn. I’m gonna fix this.”

He closed his eyes to rest a minute and the next thing he heard was a knock on the door. He jumped and opened his eyes to see his sister-in-law pop her head in the door.

Shelby smiled. “You decent?”

“Never,” he teased.

“Good.” The pretty blonde walked in carrying a foil-wrapped dish. Quickly a delicious aroma filled the room.

Following behind Shelby was his nephew, Ryan. The cute kid was five years old and had a head full of golden curls that seemed to run wild. He was dressed in a henley shirt, a pair of jeans and roper boots. A miniature cowboy. The boy was still a little shy around his uncle Austin.

“Hey, Ryan. How’s that horse of yours? What’s his name?”

The boy grinned. “Cloud. He’s great. I can ride all by myself.”

“High five.”

The boy smacked Austin’s hand and giggled.

“Pretty soon Uncle Trent will have you chasing down calves.”

The boy looked at his aunt. After the boy’s mother died, Shelby took over the role of his mom. Once Cullen married Shelby last summer, he took over as the boy’s father. “Can I go do that, Mom?”

“I think you need to ride around the corral a little longer before we let you go on a trail ride.”

The boy smiled. “Okay.”

Shelby looked back at Austin. “I’m glad to see you out of bed.”

“It took a while, but I managed to get down the hall.”

“Any progress is good,” she agreed. “Are you hungry? I brought you some meat loaf and cheesy potatoes.”

He groaned. “Sounds delicious. A person can only eat so much delivery pizza.”

“Well, from now on, you’ll be eating much better. I’ll be bringing you some meals.” She walked to the ancient kitchen that was open to the living space, with only a counter separating the rooms.

“You don’t need to take care of me, Shelby.”

She gave a bright smile. “I know, but I cook for Ryan and Cullen and there’s always plenty. In case you didn’t remember, I’m a chef. It’s what I do.”

His brother did good, finding this sweet lady with the twinge of a Southern accent in her voice. Originally from Kentucky, Shelby was to come here with her sister, Georgia, and nephew Ryan for a job. Before they left their small Southern town, Georgia’s cop boyfriend killed her. Despite the tragedy, Shelby still brought Ryan here, where Cullen found her in the ranch house.

Why couldn’t he also enjoy some of his brother’s good fortune? “Well, if you insist.”

Shelby went to the cupboard, got a plate and transferred the food onto it. “Should I bring the food out there, or do you think you can eat at the table?”

He needed to keep moving. “The table.” He lowered his leg to the floor.

“I’ll help you, Uncle Austin.” Ryan moved his walker within reach.

“Thanks, Ryan.” Austin managed to stand, then began his journey, the boy right beside him.

Shelby set down a place mat with flatware and a tall glass of milk. “Looks like you have a helper.”

Austin managed a smile. “Yep, sure do.” His strength was a little shaky, but he kept taking each step. Breathing labored, he reached the scarred maple table and sat down.

Looking worried, Shelby sat down across from him. “Are you sure you’re not doing too much?”

He shook his head. “After the six weeks on my back, then another two weeks of restricted rehab at the hospital, the doctor deemed me fit enough to discharge me. It’s about time I get on my feet.”

“Sorry, I’m just worried about you, being out here all alone.”

He dug into his food and savored the spicy taste of the meat. “I doubt with all of you around, I’ll be alone much.” He winked at Ryan. “I plan to be watching Ryan ride his horse soon.”

The boy smiled at him. “Do you have a horse, Uncle Austin?”

Austin swallowed his food. “No, Ryan, I don’t. I’ve been riding bulls for a long time. Now that I have a place to keep one, a horse or two might be a good idea.”

His stepmother, Leslie Landry Brannigan, had died last year and left her ranch to her biological son, Trent, and her stepsons, Cullen and Austin. She’d loved all her boys unconditionally. Unlike his father, whom he hadn’t been able to get along with since he’d been a kid.

“Pops can find you a horse. He brings lots of horses here.”

Austin tensed. He hadn’t had a chance to see his dad since he’d moved in here. Right now, he didn’t want to deal with the old man.

Shelby’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Those are for the riding center, honey.” She turned to him. “Seems people have a lot of horses that need a home.”

“That’s good they have a place to go.”

“Kinda like us,” Ryan said. “We didn’t have a place to go, but the sheriff let us stay here and he married us. Now you’re here, too.”

Shelby grinned. “And we’re lucky to have you home. I want to keep you here, so I’ll send some food that you can heat up easily. Maybe I can bring muffins and bagels by, too, when I bring Ryan home from school.”

“Thanks—I’d appreciate it.”

“You’re very welcome. You need to put on some weight. To build muscle, you’ll need extra calories.” She watched him eat, then asked, “So Erin’s going to be working with you?”

He arched an eyebrow. Had the woman broken her word already? “She told you?”

“Oh, no. Cullen called me after Erin left here earlier. And I haven’t said anything, either. I know you don’t want anyone to know you’re staying here, but haven’t the media had your accident on the news?”

He cringed, remembering how the tape had become an internet sensation. “Yeah, you can’t do much these days without being recorded. I just don’t want everyone knowing the extent of the injury.”

“I’m sure your fans are worried about you.”

“My fans aren’t the problem. It’s the sponsors who pay me to be on the circuit and advertise their products. They don’t want to pay me if I’m not out there winning events.”

She smiled. “Maybe you can advertise for me and my bakery. A Sweet Heaven banner would look good across your back.”

Austin laughed, despite the pain in his leg. He glanced at the bottle of pain pills on the counter. Damn, he didn’t want to take them anymore.

“So you’re willing to take on a washed-up, over-the-hill bull rider?”

“Austin, you’re only thirty-two years old. Of course you’re not washed up.”

“I’m pretty old for a bull rider. It’s a young man’s sport. The life expectancy is usually about thirty. That’s why I have to stay on top, so no one questions it. Well, they do, but if you’re not making news, then you’re not doing anything.” He thought about what he’d just said and for the first time wondered why it mattered anymore. He glanced at Shelby and Ryan. He might have gotten a lot of money, but it seemed his brother was still richer.

* * *

THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Erin glanced at her watch as she walked out of the doctor’s office. She was still on a high after seeing the fertility specialist, Dr. Gail Evans, excited that she’d physically checked out for the IVF procedure.

At thirty-six, along with her previous failed attempts to get pregnant, she didn’t have the luxury to wait much longer.

Now all she needed was the money. Enough for not only the procedure, but to support her and her baby for a six-month leave from work. Now that she had the Brannigan job, she could possibly afford to do both.

She desperately wanted to start the series of hormone shots soon, but she wanted the money in hand before she began anything. So many things could go wrong. She still wasn’t sure about Austin Brannigan, or that working with him was a good idea. A bull rider? Correction—an arrogant bull rider. No doubt he was used to having his share of women on the circuit.

She climbed into her van, started it up and headed out of the parking lot. Maybe it was time to trade in the too-large vehicle. It had once been convenient for taking Jared around, and when she’d moved here to Hidden Springs, she’d packed nearly everything she owned in the back. For now, the cost of a new vehicle made her cringe. So she had decided to hang on to her van for a while longer.

She turned onto the highway, excited about her future for the first time in a long time. Her dream was finally going to become a reality. Someone with her DNA. Someone to claim her. A family.

She couldn’t let anything go wrong. She’d already talked to her supervisor, Shirley, about conflicts with the schedule. Shirley assured her there wasn’t a problem as long as she covered her shifts. Then she talked to the orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Kentrell, about Austin’s case.

So she was headed to the Circle R Ranch to see Austin Brannigan. She had some questions about the man, but she was going to try to work with him. This money was too good to turn down. All she needed now was to have her new client sign a contract, and they would be good to go to start tomorrow.

In another twenty minutes she’d arrived at the ranch and driven by the main house and onto the gravel driveway that led to Austin’s place. Coming around the grove of trees, she spotted something new parked beside the foreman’s house.

A large crew-cab Dooley truck, and behind it was a fifth-wheel trailer. What caught her attention was the array of colors. The base of the vehicle was silver detailed with gold and black, and then on the trailer the writing announced World Champion Bull Rider, Austin “The Ace” Brannigan, along with a head shot of the man’s face; along the bottom was a list of sponsors.

“There sure is no problem with your ego, Mr. B.” Erin climbed out of her van and walked up to the porch. What had she gotten herself into?

* * *

IN ONE OF the other bedrooms that had been converted into a workout space, Austin sat on the weight bench, lifting the ten-pound weights as he looked at his manager, Jay Bridges.

“I thought you’d be further along,” his manager said.

“Hey, the doctor only gave me the okay to start therapy last week,” Austin told him.

Austin glared at the fifty-five-year-old man in his standard uniform of a dark suit and cowboy boots, worn even at the rodeo grounds. “So stop pushing me.”

The gray-haired manager raised his hands as if he were innocent of any urging. “Whoa, you’re the one who wants to get back on the circuit.”

There was no denying Jay wanted his moneymaker back to making money. He’d built a reputation of being a go-getter. Austin had to admit he liked that about him.

Jay looked around the new equipment room. “I have to say, Austin, I’m impressed by all this equipment.”

“I told you I was going to get back into the arena. I hired a therapist/trainer yesterday.”

“I hope it’s someone you can trust not to sell your story to the tabloids.”

Before he could tell him any more, there was a knock on the door.

Jay frowned. “You expecting anyone?”

“Probably one of my brothers.” He continued to lift the weights.

Austin got to his feet, but by the time he got his walker, Jay was already headed to the door.

Erin smiled as a stranger appeared in the doorway. “Hello. I’m here to see Austin Brannigan.”

The older man held the door partly closed so she couldn’t see inside. “I’m sorry—you must be mistaken. There is a Cullen Brannigan at the main house.”

“I’m not here to see Cullen. I’m here to see Austin.” She cocked her thumb toward the truck. “You know, the guy whose face is on the trailer. That’s who I want to see.”

The older man cursed. “Well, that’s not going to happen. This is private property, and you need to leave before I have security remove you.”

She folded her arms. “Since Cullen Brannigan is the one who hired me, I don’t have a problem if you call the sheriff.”

“Jay, who’s at the door?”

Erin arched an eyebrow. “It’s me, Austin, your therapist?”

“Oh, Erin,” Austin called to her. “Please come in. Jay, let her in.”

Still the man held the door, then reluctantly stepped aside and allowed Erin past.

She stopped and turned to the man named Jay. “If you want to keep Austin’s location a secret, I suggest you hide that neon sign outside.”

She walked toward Austin as he made his way to the living area.

“Jay, this is my new therapist, Erin Carlton. Erin, this is my manager, Jay Bridges. He drove my rig here.”

Erin smiled at Austin. “I can see that. And I think the entire world will see it, too. Tomorrow, there’s going to be riding lessons in the corral with several parents bringing their kids. I suggest you move it, at least the trailer.”

Austin nodded. “I didn’t think about that. Good idea. Let me call Cullen and see if there’s room in the garage.” He sat down on the sofa and reached for his phone on the table. He punched in the number and began to talk.

Jay walked over to Erin. “What are your credentials for this job?”

“I’m a registered nurse, and I have two years of therapy training. And I worked with my disabled husband.”

“Enough to help Austin?”

“I think so,” she said. “Better yet, Austin thinks so. Since he only hired me yesterday, we haven’t even started yet. But I will work strictly with his doctor’s guidelines.”

Jay started to speak, but Austin cut him off. “Leave Erin alone, Jay. She’s been checked out by my family and by me. Besides, you aren’t going to win sparring with her anyway.”

Okay, maybe she was beginning to like this man. Her gaze moved over his shorts and tank top. Whoa. He was just as impressive today as yesterday. Sadness took over when she recalled how Jared once looked all trim and muscular.

“Now, go park the trailer in the garage behind the main house,” Austin said. “Cullen’s there and he’ll help you get it inside.”

Jay nodded. “Okay, but I’ll be back.”

Austin got to his feet. “No, Jay. I don’t want you here to distract me. I need to concentrate on my therapy. Cullen said he’ll give you a ride into town so you can rent a car and get to the airport.” He slapped the man on the shoulder. “Call me next week and I’m hoping to have something to tell you.”

Jay started to argue, but closed his mouth. “You better call me, or I’ll be on your doorstep.” He turned to Erin. “Take care of him.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Jay walked out, leaving them alone.

Austin turned to her. “I apologize for Jay. He’s a little possessive with me. I can handle it, because he believed in me. And all my endorsements are because of his hard work.”

What about the man on the back of the bull? Erin wondered. “So he’s the brains behind your talent?”

Austin laughed. “You can say that. The man has even helped me plan for retirement.”

“Well, since you don’t want to do that yet, maybe we should get down to business.” She reached inside her oversize purse, took out his medical folder and a piece of paper.

“I’ve talked with Dr. Kentrell. We went over your therapy schedule and exercises.” She handed him the piece of paper. “So I drew up a contract for my service. It’s pretty basic, but I need to protect myself.”

Austin sank back onto the sofa and began to read. Erin wrote down the one-hour therapy sessions, twice a day for five days a week, and the dollar amount. The double price he’d offered her yesterday.

He held out a hand. “Do you have a pen?”

She reached back inside her bag, pulled one out and handed it to him. He signed with a flourish and gave paper and pen back to her with a smile.

She felt the reaction clean down to her toes. She had to stop this. “Okay, let’s get to work.”

Chapter Three

It had been the week from hell.

Austin felt pain and soreness in every muscle in his body. Erin had worked him hard during every session. She didn’t believe in going easy, but that was what he liked about her. She’d shown up in the morning after her shift at the convalescent home ready to do her job.

At eight o’clock that morning, he made his way down the hall to the kitchen. He realized he was starting to move a little easier and able to put more weight on his injured leg. That made him hopeful.

He went to the refrigerator and took out some blueberries, then peeled a banana. After he tossed the ingredients into a blender, he added milk and powdered protein, then began to mix the concoction. As much as he wanted a cup of coffee, he needed the energy for his upcoming rehab session. The next hour would be grueling when Erin put him through the series of exercises. He smiled as he poured the smoothie into a glass. He was looking forward to it.

He had just finished his drink when he heard the key in the lock, and then Erin walked in. She was dressed in a pair of black tights and an oversize shirt. Her face was washed clean of any makeup, and her sloppy ponytail bounced as she walked toward him.

She smiled at him. Damn, she was too appealing. “Good morning, cowboy. Good to see you’re up.”

He shifted his stance. Oh, he was definitely up. “Yeah, well, I can’t afford any more demerits.”

“Good. I like your go-get-’em attitude.”

“Do I get extra points for that?”

“First, you have to show me some hard work today.” She walked up to the counter, took down a glass and poured some of the drink from the blender. “I’m gonna need something extra this morning.”

He frowned, seeing the fatigue in her eyes. “Rough night?”

“One of my patients, Hattie, was frightened and kept crying for her son to take her home.”

Austin’s gut tightened watching the tears in Erin’s eyes as she told the story.

“We had to restrain her.”

“Why didn’t her son come to be with her?”

She sighed. “He had been there most of the day, but Hattie only got more agitated with him in the room. That’s the awful part about Alzheimer’s patients—you don’t always know what’s best to do for them, and it can change every day. Patients get frightened because they can’t remember anything or anyone. It’s like they’re trapped with strangers.”

He could see Erin’s intense compassion and got a glimpse of the personal side of this woman. She must be one hell of a nurse.

As if she realized she was exposing a side of herself she didn’t want him to see, she turned away. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to dump on you.” She quickly offered him a smile. “Ready to get to work?”

He nodded and followed Erin into the bedroom. He sat down on the bench and removed his cast. He had a long knit sock to protect his calf and ankle and hide the ugly scar. She knelt in front of him and wrapped a small Velcro weight around his ankle. She looked up at him with those big green eyes. “Is that comfortable?”

He nodded, hating that she could get a reaction from him with just a look. “Yeah, it’s fine.”

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

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.

“But she needs to be here.”

So where was his therapist? He was about to call her cell again when he heard her van coming up the gravel road. Seconds later she came rushing in the door. She was dressed in her familiar tights, oversize shirt and tennis shoes, with that silly large bag tossed over her shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I left work without my cell phone, and I was on my way back to get it when I got a flat tire. So I couldn’t even call you.”

He felt relieved. “Did you get roadside service to change it for you?”

She frowned at him. “Yeah, I’m roadside service. I’m just glad my spare had air in it.”

Damn. He pictured her in all that traffic and didn’t like her taking those kinds of risks. “I’m glad you’re okay. I guess we don’t realize how great cell phones are until we really need them.”

“No kidding.” She sighed. “I know we’re running late, but would you mind if I had a cup of tea before we start?”

“Of course not. I think I’ll join you.”

She nodded. “Good idea. You sit down and I’ll put on the water.”

She moved around the kitchen efficiently, filling the kettle, then turned on the burner to heat the water.

She reached into the cupboard where there were several bottles of his pills. She found the one she wanted, then set it on the table. “Have you taken any pain meds this morning?”

He shook his head at her not-so-subtle hint. “You know I don’t like how they make me feel.”

“I’ve heard that argument a lot of times,” she acknowledged. “But because you are in pain, you don’t work to your full potential while doing the therapy. So just take it for the session.”

She walked back to the table, causing her ponytail to swing from side to side. She looked so young and carefree, but the full curves said she was all woman.

His attention switched to her small hands as she dropped the tea bags into the cups. He recalled the feeling of those strong fingers against his sore muscles.

Her voice drew him back as she continued. “The pill is only effective for four hours. Weigh that against better results during therapy.”

“What are you, a spokesman for the pharmaceutical company?”

“Just your therapist. You hired me for my guidance and abilities, so use them.”

“How do you know I wasn’t working hard?”

“Because I can see you tense and grimace during your workouts.”

“Dang, woman, you’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not as long as you’re being so stubborn.” She opened the bottle, shook out one pill and placed it in front of him.

The kettle whistled and she filled both their mugs, then sat down across from him again. She sent him a challenging look that caused a reaction he hadn’t felt in a long time. He glanced away, then tossed the pill into his mouth. He reached for the bottle of water and took a drink.

She smiled. “Good. I like my men cooperative.” She brought the cup to her mouth and took a tentative sip.

“It’s good that I’m still in that classification.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Are we feeling a little emasculated?”

He looked away. “More like helpless.”

“Considering the severity of your accident, you are a very lucky man. Not all are so fortunate, so don’t go feeling sorry for yourself, cowboy, or I’m walking out the door. And that’s another thing. One day, you will walk again. You might have a limp, but you’ll be able to stand on your own two legs. So stop with the pitiful act.”

Her words stung. “We signed a contract.”

“You forgot to read the fine print, Mr. Brannigan. I only work with patients who give one hundred percent.” Tears welled in her eyes. “You need to count your blessings. Not everyone gets a second chance. Excuse me.” She got up and left the room before he could speak.

He heard the bathroom door close. Oh, boy. He needed to learn when to keep his mouth shut, or he was going to lose this woman. He just realized he’d be losing more than a therapist.

* * *

ERIN LOOKED AT herself in the bathroom mirror. What was wrong with her, acting like a fool with Austin? She couldn’t even blame it on last night with Hattie or the flat tire this morning. The problem was she needed to do a better job of handling her reaction to the man. That meant to think of him only as her client, a client who was paying her very well so she could have her dream.

She splashed cold water on her face, washing away any makeup left, but she wasn’t going to take the time to reapply it. Good—a billion freckles should scare him off.

There was a soft knock on the door. “Erin...is everything okay?”

She released a long breath and opened the door to find Austin standing there with his walker.

“First, I need to apologize,” she said. “I acted very unprofessional. I could say I had a rough night and morning, but that’s still no excuse.” She stole a glance at the too-sexy cowboy. “Truth is, Austin, I won’t coddle my clients. If you want a babysitter, then I’m not the person for the job. I’m the person who’s going to work you hard in every session. It’s what your doctor ordered for your recovery. You knew it wasn’t going to be easy when you started. So if we’re not on the same page, I’ll tear up our contract and leave.”

“Damn, woman. You’re tough.” He grinned. “I like that, but that doesn’t mean I won’t complain. Hell, I’m paying you enough I should be able to bellyache now and then. So unless you need to yell at me some more, let’s get started.”

She felt relieved. “No, I don’t want to yell right this minute, but I’ll let you know. Come on—time to get to work.” She walked out into the hall, then into the therapy room and waited until Austin got to the weight bench. She set the walker aside, then knelt down to remove the cast. She pulled down the protective sock and examined the wide, puckered scar.

“The incision has healed nicely.”

“Still off-putting, especially to women.”

Was he thinking about the women he wanted sex with? Of course, he was young and healthy, and had been without a woman for a while. She didn’t doubt that was a long time for the handsome bull rider. That made her think about her own sorry sex life. It had been nonexistent for years. Now all she needed to think about was a baby. Her baby.

She looked at Austin. “Some people might be, but if they care about you it shouldn’t matter.” She shrugged. “As a woman...it wouldn’t bother me, that is...if I cared about the man.” She glanced away when his gaze got too intense. “I mean, my husband had taken shrapnel in his leg, and it tore both the calf and thigh muscles.” She quickly changed the subject back to him. “You’ve lost some muscle, so it will look a little different than your other leg. And since you live in boots and jeans, I don’t see the problem.”

That was enough questions. She stood, tied her shirttails into a knot at her waist. “We should get started while your meds are working.”

The next hour passed quickly as she had him work with leg weights, then moved on to resistance training. He grunted and groaned as he did the up-and-down motions she instructed him to do.

Finally, she called a halt to the exercise and handed him an ice pack to put on his leg. “Since you worked so hard, I have a treat for you.” She raised her hand. “Take off your shirt. I’ll be right back.”

Austin did as she’d instructed. What kind of torture was she about to think up now?

He didn’t have to wait long. She returned carrying a folded table with a handle. She set it down on the floor, then pulled open the legs and sat it up. “This should help release some tension in your neck and shoulders.”

She left, then returned with a sheet and towels. “How do you feel about a massage?” She spread a sheet on the table.

“I think I can be convinced.” He got up on his good leg, and with two hops he was on the table, lying facedown. He laid his head on his folded arms.

She arranged the ice pack under his injured calf, and then she began to work her magic. First he felt the oil dribble on his back, then her hands. Oh, God. Her hands. He groaned as she moved those incredible fingers over his tight muscles. He tried to will himself to relax, but his body wouldn’t cooperate.

“Okay, I’m begging you, never stop what you’re doing.”

“I’m glad you like it. Just part of the service when you work hard.” He could hear the humor in her voice. “And you gave me a lot of effort today.”

He felt her fingers move across his shoulders, down his back, then his spine. He shivered as those fingers dug into his waist. Whoa, what kind of magic was she working?

“How does that feel?”

“Heavenly.”

Her hands continued their journey over his gym shorts to his thighs. Okay, his relaxation just turned to stimulation as her fingers dug into his muscles at the tops of his thighs, then slowly worked their way down to his knees. It was pure agony and getting even more uncomfortable, possibly embarrassing.

All at once, she stopped, then placed a warm blanket over him. “Rest. I’ll be back in ten minutes.” She left the room, leaving him aroused and aching. He turned his thoughts to all the different ways he could return the favor.

* * *

LATER THAT DAY Austin wandered around the quiet house. He’d managed to convince Erin to stay and nap in the back bedroom. He knew she’d had a rough shift the night before, and he wanted her to get as much sleep as possible.

He sat down on the sofa and began surfing the channels on the flat-screen television. He needed to forget about the woman tucked into bed at the end of the hall. This time she hadn’t borrowed one of his T-shirts. Did that mean she wasn’t wearing anything?

He groaned and began punching the remote once again, needing to forget the auburn-haired therapist. Just hours ago, that same woman used her magical hands to drive him crazy. His body stirred with the memory.

Finally he gave up and tossed the remote on the coffee table. He made his way to the kitchen table and began going through the papers Jay left the other day. His manager was right. They were boring tax papers, along with his 401(k) reinvestment release.

At the bottom of the stack, he found a recent bank statement with a note attached from his accountant, wanting him to okay payment of some sort of hospital bill.

Austin usually went through the financials every month, but since the accident he hadn’t had the chance. Even though he trusted everyone who worked for him, he still needed to be alert about where his money was going. Most of his endorsement funds were put in savings and stocks. He wasn’t foolish enough to leave everything in his one account. His attention was drawn to the bank’s monthly electronic transfers, his utilities and upkeep on his condo in Denver.

Someday he’d hoped for a few acres with a house and barn so he could have a couple of horses. And now since his stepmother’s passing, he owned part of this large ranch. He found he liked it here. Like Cullen had suggested, maybe this place could be a home base while he was on the circuit.

He frowned upon seeing an unfamiliar monthly transfer to one DJ Lynch. The name sounded somewhat familiar. He looked at the sum and decided he definitely needed to contact Jay before he signed anything. He also found a form to continue temporary power of attorney for his manager. Jay had had that control while he’d been in the hospital and under the influence of drugs, but now that Austin was back, he wanted to handle his own finances.

His silence was interrupted by a knock on the door. He checked his watch and wondered who would be coming by in the middle of the day. He stood, gripped hold of his walker and went to answer it.

He opened the door and found a tall, slender gray-haired man standing on the stoop. A strange feeling came over him, and he wasn’t sure he could handle it as he stared at the man he hadn’t seen in years.

“Hello, son. It’s been a long time.”

Cullen had told him that Neal Brannigan had retired from the police force, sold the family ranch outside Denver and moved here. Austin managed to find his voice. “Yeah, I’ll say so, about ten years. What brings you by?”

He saw his father flinch, but he couldn’t feel sorry for him. You get what you give.

“I was hoping we might be able to talk,” his father said.

“So you can tell me how I’ve been wasting my life? No, thanks.”

“I deserve that, but no, son, I only wanted to see how you’ve been doing.”

“As you can see, I’m standing.”

He smiled. “I’m happy about that.”

Austin moved aside and allowed his father to come in.

His father glanced around the sparsely finished room. “The place looks good. A lot better since it’s been cleaned and painted.”

“Yeah, Cullen and Trent made it livable.”

Neal Brannigan nodded. “It’s good to have you here. I mean, I hate that you were hurt, but I’m glad you get to come here to be with your brothers.”

“I’m not staying long,” he warned. “As soon as I get the okay from my doctor, I’m back on the circuit. Nothing you say will change that.”

His father raised a calming hand. “I’m not going to try to stop you. You’re an adult and can make your own decisions.”

Who was this man? Not the tough-as-nails police captain who’d been a no-show father. He never stood up for his sons and hated that one of them became a bull rider. Okay, so most parents wouldn’t like that, either. “That’s not what you told me the last time we were together.”

“I hope I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

This admission had Austin a little off center. “You’re saying you want to see me ride?”

Neal nodded. “I’ve already had the pleasure a few years back in Lubbock, Texas.” He smiled. “I believe you won that day.”

Austin frowned, recalling that had been the last time he saw his stepmother, Leslie. “I remember Mom being there, but where were you?”

“I thought it might be better if you spent time with her.” He saw the flash of sadness. “Leslie had just learned about her cancer. Even I didn’t know the extent until much later.”

Austin’s leg began to ache, and he went to sit down at the table. He offered his father the other chair. “I wish I had known. I could have spent more time with her.”

Neal sat down. “You know your mother. She didn’t want you boys to make a fuss or disrupt your lives.” His gaze went to Austin. “It’s the way she wanted it, son.”

Austin stiffened at the word son again. He was troubled that his father had suddenly remembered him as his child. “I’m sorry I didn’t get back to the funeral last year. I was in Australia competing. By the time I heard the news, it was too late to come back in time.”

His father raised his hand. “It’s okay, son. Your mother knew you loved her. She was proud of you.”

“I know Leslie was my stepmother, but I always thought of her as the real thing.”

“She felt the same way about you boys, too.”

Austin felt the old bitterness surface. “Yeah, she didn’t question our choices like you did.”

The old man cringed. “I know. I had to be right about everything, and look where it got me. I pushed you boys so hard I ended up driving you away. If there was a way I could change those years, I would. I’m most sorry for letting my job be my top priority.” Those blue eyes met his. “I had sons and a wife who needed me at home. I apologize to you, Austin. You deserved a father to be there for you. I know I can’t ask you to forget, but I was hoping while you’re here you’d let me come by occasionally.”

Austin felt a sudden weight on his chest. He didn’t want to feel anything. He’d left home all those years ago to not deal with this man. So why now did he want the man’s approval so badly? “I guess I wouldn’t mind that.”

Chapter Five

Two days later, after forty-eight hours off from the center and from Austin, Erin was ready to go back to work.

Or was she?

She’d planned to catch up on all the sleep she’d lost, grocery shop and clean her apartment. Sleep had eluded her, but her one-bedroom apartment looked pretty good. Her cupboards were stocked with food, but she had no appetite. As a nurse, she knew better than to let herself get run-down, especially holding down two jobs.

In a few weeks, if everything went as planned, she’d be beginning her hormone shots. She needed to be at her best, and not spend her time thinking about a man who’d be gone from her life as soon as he could stand on both legs. And seeing how hard Austin Brannigan worked during his therapy, it would be soon.

She drove her van along the highway, then took the exit to the Circle R Ranch. How had he done without her? Even though he had a fill-in therapist, she still worried about him.

Better question, why was she letting this bull rider get to her? Never before had she allowed anything personal to happen between her and a client. Even during all the months Jared had been overseas, she’d never thought about another man.

Now she’d been spending her time looking up the rodeo cowboy on the internet. He was the face of the pro circuit with all his ads. Anything from cowboy boots to tight fitted jeans. And there was no doubt the man photographed well. That didn’t mean he wasn’t arrogant and a womanizer. She needed to stay away from him, outside of her job, of course. She had her future all planned out, and it didn’t include another male. No, thanks. She’d been there.

She smiled as she drove up to the house and shut off the engine. Unless, of course, her baby was a boy.

The front door opened and she saw Austin. She climbed out and started to greet him when he stopped her.

“Where have you been? You’re late.”

She glanced at her watch. Maybe by a few minutes. “So dock my pay.” Even in his fitted T-shirt and gym shorts, he wasn’t so appealing at the moment. “Since when are you so anxious to start therapy?”

He shook his head. “I’m not. I just need something to distract me. And that therapist you sent me was a joke.”

“Jason? You know he trains pro athletes? He volunteers at the center and was doing me a favor. What did you say to him?”

Austin stepped aside and let her into the house. He hated that he took his frustration out on her. “Nothing. Okay, maybe he wasn’t so bad.”

“Not so bad? He should be the one who’s handling your therapy.”

He didn’t want anyone else but Erin. “No. You’re the one I hired. We have a contract.”

“I know we have a contract, but if you keep yelling at me, you aren’t going to like where I shove it.”

Austin had to fight to keep from smiling. Damn, he’d missed her these last few days. Her freshly scrubbed face, sassy ponytail and sexy body in those tights. He quickly pushed aside his wandering thoughts. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. It’s just that it’s been so boring around here.”

She set her bag down. “What about your family? Haven’t they been over to see you?”

He groaned. “All the time. It’s great, but I feel like I’m about to crawl out of my skin.”

She smiled. “Okay, how about this? We play hooky this morning, but only for about an hour.”

He liked the sound of that. Miss Innocent Erin was stepping over the line. Okay, he was ready. “What do you have in mind?”

“Let me make a call first.” She dug out her phone and punched in some numbers as she walked out of earshot. What was she up to? He didn’t have to wait long, because she came back to him in a minute.

“Go put on a pair of sweatpants and a jacket.”

“Why?”

She frowned. “You’re on a need-to-know basis.” She motioned for him to go. “Just do it.”

Austin wasn’t used to taking orders, not for a long time, but he was willing now if it got him out of the house. Using the walker, he made his way down the hall and dug through his limited supply of clothes. Maybe he could get Cullen to do a little shopping for him. He finally found a pair of sweatpants, and with a pair of scissors, he cut open the left leg to fit over his cast. Excited to get out of the house, he grabbed a hooded jacket, zipped it up, then headed out to the living room.

Erin had put on an oversize sweatshirt. “Ready?”

“You bet,” he said and followed her to the door, grabbed a straw cowboy hat off the hook, then continued on.

Outside he was met by the bright sunlight. He tipped his hat lower and saw the golf cart headed their way.

“Hey, bro,” Cullen called as he parked and got out. “I hear you’re being a real stinker.”

He couldn’t deny he was disappointed to see Cullen. “Not any more than any other day. Are you our chauffeur?”

His brother pointed to his sheriff’s badge on his uniform shirt. “Not today. I need to protect the good citizens of Hidden Springs, but I have no doubt Erin can handle the job.” He looked at her. “Just leave him out in the pasture if he gives you any back talk.” He nodded toward the mountains. “Just stay on the dirt roads and you should be okay. And Shelby sent along a care basket for your outing.”

“We aren’t going far,” Erin said. “Just to get a little fresh air.”

With that, his brother began to walk back to the main house. “I’ll drive,” Austin announced. Leaving his walker, he balanced on his good leg and took two careful hops and made his way to the cart.

“Not hardly,” Erin answered.

“Why not? I won’t be using my injured leg.”

“That’s right, because you’ll be in the passenger seat, riding.” She arched an eyebrow. “You do remember how to ride, don’t you? Or do I need to draw horns on the front of the cart so you can pretend you’re on a bull?”

He gripped the metal bar. The woman had a mouth on her. One day she was going to push him too far. “Okay, you win this one.” He climbed in the passenger side.

Erin placed her bag on the backseat next to a wicker basket, then took the spot behind the wheel.

“Do you know how to drive one of these carts?” he asked.

She nodded. “I sometimes have to drive around the center when I go from building to building.”

They hit a bump and she slowed down. “Of course, that was on a paved road.”

Austin looked out at the horses grazing in the pasture. He knew most of the equines on the ranch were past their prime and were used at the therapy riding center. “Those must be some of Cullen’s rescues. Could we stop?”

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