Claiming Her Cowboy

“Sit still and lean forward,” Rue said when she tried to stand. “Let me check your head.”

Rue pointed to a gauze pad. “Can you tear that open for me?”

“She’s bleeding?”

“A small cut at the back of her head, along with a small lump.”

Jack tore open the package and handed Rue the gauze pad.

“So you’re Leo’s replacement.”

“Am I?” He met her no-nonsense dark eyes.

“Jack Harris, right?”

“Yeah. How’d you know?”

“Word travels faster than a sneeze through a screen door around here. We heard Meredith Brisbane’s stuck-up lawyer nephew stopped the funding to the ranch.”

“Rue,” Lucy whispered, her voice shaky.

The woman continued despite Lucy’s protest. “I heard that there was a volunteer here for the summer taking his place.” Her gaze was intent as she assessed him. “You have your work cut out for you, Jack. Leo did the job of two men.”

“I heard it was three,” he returned.

Rue laughed. “Probably true. Point being, he wouldn’t have left if Lucy could match the pay he was offered elsewhere. It’s too bad our director here is the one picking up the slack. I’d like to give that attorney holding up the money a piece of my mind.”

“Rue. Please,” Lucy said with a warning tone in her voice.

“A real jerk, huh?” Jack said.

“Yep. I’d like to see him walk a day in Lucy’s shoes. Then he might understand.”

“That sounds like a really good idea,” Jack said with a smile. “Maybe we can arrange it.”

Rue smiled back. “I like you, Jack.” She pulled a penlight from her pocket and checked Lucy’s pupils. “And I appreciate you stepping up to save the day. We need more men like you around Big Heart Ranch.”

“Thanks, but perhaps you should hold your kind words until summer is over.”

“I’m a good judge of character. I doubt you can do anything that will change my opinion.” She winked and turned to Lucy.

“Anything in particular hurt, Lucy?” Rue asked. “Besides the head.”

“My dignity.”

Rue pulled a stethoscope from her bag. “I’ll take a quick listen and do a little palpation, honey. Just want to make sure you didn’t break a rib or anything.”

When she finished her evaluation, Rue pulled the stethoscope from her ears and nodded. “So far everything seems fine.”

Lucy attempted to stand.

“No. Not just yet.” She looked to Jack. “I’m going to go get ice. Keep an eye on her. She may have a concussion.”