In a Cowboy's Arms

By the time Sam and Ty returned, it was mid-evening and the girls were already in bed. Grim-faced, father and son walked into the family room where Jenny sat watching some stupid reality show involving masked men, Ty moving stiffly, his right arm pressed horizontally across his abdomen.

She stood, concern nipping at her heels. “What’s the diagnosis?”

“You called it,” Ty told her, his jaw hard, his mouth rigid. “Three busted ribs. Lungs are fine.”

She nodded, sighing, wishing she’d been dead wrong about his ribs. “I thought so. I’m sorry.”

Ty shrugged, then grimaced. “Stuff happens.”

“Ty’ll be confined to the house for a while,” Sam informed her. He lowered his voice and added, “He’s been crabbing about that all the way back from Baker City.”

Jenny’s stomach dipped. She didn’t like that news, either. She’d been counting on the time Ty spent away from the house to create a buffer between them, which made it that much easier to keep him out of her mind. Thank heaven she had Sam around to take care of Ty. She wasn’t sure she’d survive another examination…or hair-singeing look, either.

“Luckily we have a nurse around to take care of you,” Sam said.

She jerked in her chin and stared at Sam, her mouth slack. Ty did the same thing.

“I figured you’d be taking care of me, Dad,” he finally said, echoing her exact thought.

Sam gave him an apologetic look. “You know, I would if I could, but with my back acting up…well, I’m afraid Jenny will have to be your caregiver.” He pressed a hand to his back. “In fact, it’s hurting a lot right now. Think I’ll take some muscle relaxant and turn in. Jenny, I trust you can help settle Ty in for the night?” With that parting bomb, he ambled across the room, a telltale sparkle in his dark blue eyes.

Silence reigned in the room while, first and foremost, Jenny’s mind struggled to comprehend that things had changed around here in a hurry. The fact that for some weird reason Sam seemed to be doing a little matchmaking came in a close second.

Ty snorted. “Sore back, my foot.”

She lifted her brows. “You think he’s lying?”

He let out a heavy, tired breath, then scowled. “Not really. Although his back problem seems to come and go when it’s convenient.” He looked right at her, his blue eyes troubled. “I’m sorry for this. I’m sure you didn’t plan on having me to take care of when you agreed to take this job.”

No kidding. Never in her wildest imaginings had she thought she’d be nursing a sexy, injured cowboy back to health.

Before she could speak, he snorted under his breath again. “Dammit, I hate the thought of being stuck in this house, twiddling my thumbs all day long.”

His unhappiness with the situation didn’t surprise her. “Even though you’re used to lots of physical labor, somehow I doubt you’re going to be ready to ride a horse any time soon, or do any other kind of physical activity for that matter.”

He nodded, rolling his eyes, then turned and slowly headed out of the family room. “We’ll see about that. I’m going to bed.”