Page 40 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
There weren’t enough drugs in Finn’s system to make that an okay idea. “You know something I don’t? Like, am I stuck in this bed for the next six months or something? Because I don’t see how me breaking my leg means we can’t meet the challenge.”
“Alan called with a deadline. He didn’t know you’d been hurt, but that doesn’t change things.” Zach shook his head. “You’re still not hearing my point. The most important thing is for you to heal, not for you to hurt yourself more trying to stick it to Brandon.”
Finn snorted. “Trust me. I am a fantastic multitasker. I can healandstick it to the bastard.”
“Just saying. We keep our priorities straight.”
“They are straight. I’ll heal, we’ll get the ranch running, Brandon will go and cry.” He managed to get a laugh out of his friend, but the effort made Finn happy to relax back against the pillow. “Stop holding out. What’s the deadline?”
“Alan insists he did his research, but I’m suspicious he’s also planning to enjoy this. First guests arrive Thanksgiving weekend.” Zach rolled his eyes like a teenager. “I’ll give you one guess who the first guests are. Go on, you’ll never guess it’s a hotshot lawyer who told us he’s a cowboy wannabe. Him and his entire family.”
Finn laughed, choking it off quickly when he realized his ribs hurt too much to follow through. “Fine. Third week of October. That’s not impossible.”
Zach inclined his head. “You’re right, it’s not. But back to that priority thing, we’re adjusting lists. You’ll be pleased to know you’re now stuck on the computer. Plus, you can deal with contract calls and phone orders. I’ll work the front line.”
It was instinct to protest. “Fine. But as soon as I’m up and mobile, we’ll talk about this again.”
His friend rose to his feet, reaching behind him to grab his hat. “Oh, and just to warn you, that whole priority thing means you’ll take the time to heal and to be with important people.”
What the hell was he talking about? “You headed back to the ranch already?”
“Grabbing a coffee.” Zach strode to the door and pulled it open, greeting someone just out of Finn’s sight. “He’s awake and in his right mind. Or at least as close as he gets.”
Karen slipped into the room, and some of Zach’s teasing messages suddenly made sense. Somewhere in there his friend left, but Finn’s attention was focused on the dark-haired woman stepping hesitantly to the side of his bed.
She stopped too far away for him to catch hold of her the way he wanted. She barely glanced at his leg before fixing her gaze on his face.
He crooked a finger, gesturing her closer. “Go on. Check me out. You know you want to.”
Something close to a hiccup escaped as she closed the gap, brushing her fingers over his cheek. “You look like hell.”
“Say something else sweet to me,” he answered softly.
That hiccup happened again, and she swallowed hard. She laid her fingers on top of his and held on. “This is a trip down memory lane I really didn’t want to take.”
“I have a new appreciation of what you went through,” Finn told her. “I’ll be fine. You showed me how.”
Her gaze drifted along his leg, and when she met his eyes again, it was as if she were preparing for battle. “Since you know I’m experienced in these things, you won’t be foolish and fight with me over some little suggestions I have.”
“Zach’s already told me he’s babysitting me at work,” he informed her.
“Knew I liked him for a reason.”
Finn stayed quiet because laughing would hurt.
That determination in her expression showed up again. “The doctor talked to you yet?”
“Nobody but you and Zach that I remember at this point.”
Her chin dipped. “They’ll give you the details, but it looks as if you’re here for a few days. Once they release you, you’re moving into the cottage with me.”
That phrase should have triggered a rush of satisfaction. Instead, he eyed his leg then her. “You damn well better not be planning on babysitting me as well.”
Finally,finally, the Karen he’d been looking for stepped forward and showed herself.
She picked up his hand and lifted it to her mouth. Pressing a kiss to his knuckles, she frowned slightly at the bruises and scratches she found there. But even though she took a deep breath as if bracing herself for battle, when she spoke, it was soft and sweet. “I want to be with you. While I have no idea how that will look, and I have no idea how long it will last, I want to give it a shot.”
It wasn’t everything he’d hoped for, but he was smart enough to take it. Smart enough to relieve the tension shaping her shoulders, making them sit high and rigid.
