Page 28 of Hot For You

“Sore.” She cut into her pancakes with her fork. “But other than that and the headache, I think I’m doing well.”

He gave her a look of approval. “Good.”

While they ate, he told her a few stories of growing up on the ranch with his brother and parents. It was nice listening to him. He seemed to realize that it hurt her head to talk but she didn’t mind hearing him speak.

“Thank you for inviting me and taking care of me.” She pushed her plate away. “I like your ranch and I have to say my first visit has been an interesting one.”

The corner of his mouth tipped up. “You are one tough lady.”

“Why, thank you.” She grinned at him. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was meant as one.” He smiled back at her. He got up and started clearing the breakfast dishes. “Stay there,” he said as she started to get up.

She settled back in her seat. “What do you have planned today?”

“I’ve done the morning chores.” He put the dishes in the sink and started rinsing them. “Now I have to finish welding a new feed trough I’m putting together, and later I have some 4-H kids coming over to look at a couple of calves.”

“You weld, too?” she said.

He nodded. “You learn a lot of things growing up on a ranch.”

“You also like kids,” she said. It was clear by the way he smiled when he talked about the 4-H’ers.

“Yep.” He grinned. “Hope to have a few of my own running around some day.”

“How’s a guy like you still single?” Her face warmed as the question came out without her thinking about it. Her head injury must be worse than she thought.

Cody shrugged. “Just haven’t found the right woman.” He looked at her. “I’ve been looking, though.”

The intensity of his gaze sent a warm rush over her. Dumb, dumb, dumb to say something like that, she told herself.

He went on, “I have a couple of exes who live around here.” He set the dishtowel he’d been holding onto the countertop. “I try to stay friends, but it doesn’t always work out that way.”

“I have one of those,” she said. “An ex who would never have worked as a friend, but that was a long time ago. Sam, on the other hand, you can’t help but like and stay friends with.”

“Any chance you and Sam will ever get together again?” Cody asked.

“No.” Carilyn shook her head. “Like I told you before, he’s a good guy. But as far as us getting together, I’ve moved on and he’s moved on. Friends are all we’ll ever be.”

Cody slid the last plate into the dishwasher and she was grateful when he changed the subject. “Are you going to be all right while I’m out working?”

She smiled. “Don’t worry so much, cowboy. I’ll be fine.”

“Just want to make sure my patient is okay.” He gave her a quick grin. “If you’re up to it, you can watch TV in the living room or guestroom. Otherwise, get some rest.”

“Now that I’m up and have had breakfast, I’m feeling much better.” She pushed hair out of her face. “I think I’d be fine driving home.”

He shook his head. “You’re staying with me for a full twenty-four hours. If you have to go home, then I’m going with you and you aren’t driving. Got that?”

She raised her hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll be good.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He gave her a quick grin. “Now behave yourself.”

“Would you have a computer I can borrow to check my email and surf the net?” she asked.

“You can use mine.” He gave a nod in the direction of the hallway. “It’s in my office.”

She followed him to a room with a large rustic-style desk along with a wood file cabinet and piles of papers on the file cabinet and on the desktop. He went the laptop desk and keyed in the password.

---