Grumpy Cowboy (Single Dad Collection)

I mean, am I in way over my head?

It sure freaking feels like it…

“No, don’t do that,” Jenny says, interrupting my thoughts, and I jerk my eyes back up to meet hers. “Don’t give up. Don’t sell yourself short because my son was being a hardheaded, most likely mannerless, moron. You’re the right woman for the job, I can tell.”

“But…how did you… I didn’t say anything.”

Jenny grins. “You didn’t have to, darlin’. You’ve got the urge to flee written all over your pretty face.”

I swallow hard at being read so easily, and Jenny reaches out and covers my hand with her own on the table. “Listen, Leah, I know Rhett is…difficult.”

Ha. Understatement.

“And I know he’s stubborn,” she continues. “I know he’s set in his ways and doesn’t want help from anyone, but I also know he needs the chance to change both. Truthfully, this ranch needs him recovered. Tex is getting old and can’t always be doin’ all the things he used to do. He needs to retire soon, and the only way to do that is for Rhett to be healthy and ready to take it all over. And Rhett needs all that too, darlin’. He just hasn’t fully realized it yet.”

“What are you saying?”

“You need to stay and do the job you were hired to do,” she says, like it’s just that simple, patting my hand before pulling hers away.

“I hear you, I really do, and I want to stay, but it’s going to be very hard to treat a patient who wants me gone. I can’t imagine chasing him around the ranch for the next two months is going to do anyone any good.”

“Look at it this way. At least he’s only got one good leg. How fast can he really be?” she teases.

Regardless of how stressful this feels, I can’t hold back a smile.

“Jenny,” I murmur, and her grin turns serious again.

“You agree to stay, and I swear I’ll do all I can to help you sort the rest. I know it’s more than you bargained for, but can you promise me you’ll at least hang around and try?”

I think for a few seconds, but the truth is, there’s only one way to answer her question.

“Of course. Yes.” Frankly, I really need this job to work out. Not only could I use the money, but I really don’t want to go back to Salt Lake City and have to tell my new boss that I had to give up on the big favor after a damn day.

I mean, he definitely threw me to the fucking wolves on this one, but I want to take my career to the next level. I want to eventually be the primary team doctor for the Salt Lake City Slammers, and if I don’t succeed here, I can pretty much guarantee that’ll never happen.

“Well, okay, then.” Hands to the table, Jenny stands to her feet. “Looks like I best be heading back home to get goin’ on dinner. You like chili and cornbread?”

“Made by the baker of these muffins?” I ask rhetorically. “Uh, yeah.”

“Perfect,” she says with a small smile. “Come down and eat dinner with us tonight. I’ll have it on the table around seven.”

I nod. She winks.

“Bring your appetite, okay? You’re gonna need to keep up your strength.”

I raise my eyebrows at her words, but she just smiles.

“Don’t you worry, honey. It’ll all work out just fine. Promise. My boy’s tough on the outside but sweet in the middle. You stay the course, and we’re all gonna be better for it.” She pulls her keys from her pocket and lays them on the table next to my hand. “I’m gonna take the Jeep and leave you my car. When you come tonight, I’ll make Tex switch it out for somethin’ more reliable, okay?”

I open my mouth to tell her I’m sure the Jeep will be fine, but she’s already shaking her head and heading for the door.

And then she’s gone, leaving me sitting there, wondering how in the hell a simple two-month job on a ranch to help a fourteen-year-old boy heal from a knee injury turned into me going head-to-head with a thirtysomething, grumpy-as-hell cowboy with six-pack abs and a giant chip on his shoulder.

What in the world have I gotten myself into?

I can only hope it’s not more than I can handle.

Rhett

Heading to dinner at my parents’ house is the last thing I feel like doing after the bullshit my dad tossed my way today, but when Jenny Jameson puts her foot down and demands that you show up for dinner, you best be showin’ up at your mama’s kitchen table, ready to eat.

I still haven’t had a chance to talk to ole Tex yet, but I figure I’ll keep my cool through the homemade meal and save the talking-to for afterward. Preferably, when it’s just the two of us and we’re far enough away from the house that my mama and Joey don’t have to overhear it.