“And when his therapy is up? I’ll be without a job.”
“They’ll take you back here. I promise it. I’ll get it in writing.”
I scrunch my forehead. “And how do you plan to do that?”
He gives me that same cocky smile that I always see on Jason’s face. “Uh, because I’m a Keller. I can make it happen.”
I don’t argue with him, because I’m sure he probably can. The same way his brother got himself assigned to my therapy roster.
That’s a killer offer. But working one on one with Jason Keller? That’s not a good idea.
He must have been able to read my body language and knows that I’m going to turn him down because he stops me by offering me twice my regular pay per hour, plus room and board.
My phone starts ringing, and I look at the caller ID and recognize the relentless bill collectors’ number.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
I don’t know which of us is more shocked, him or me. But I do know that I am not in any position to turn down his offer. I just have to remain professional. I can do that. No matter how tempting Jason Keller is.
9
Jason
I’ve prepared myself to hear that she refused to work with me. There’s no way she’s going to say yes. Derrick is pretty convincing, but I’m pretty sure that Karly is probably ready to be rid of me.
He’s walking back to the truck where I’ve been waiting for him, and I can’t tell anything by the look on his face. I feel like I’m going crazy by the time he gets in and takes his sweet time buckling his seatbelt.
“Well?”
“She’s going to do it. Did you doubt me?”
I’m so excited I can’t believe it. “How? I mean really, she’s going to come to the ranch every day to do therapy?”
“She’s staying at the ranch. I called Olivia, and she’s moving into the big house to free up the guesthouse for Nurse Berry.”
I roll my eyes. Of course there’s something good coming out of this for my big brother. He’s been trying to get her to move into the main house.
“She said yes?” I ask again because I still can’t believe it.
“Well, not right away. She seemed like working with you was an issue for her. What’d you do?” Derrick asks, giving me a devilish grin.
“Nothing worth smiling over. I said stupid things and pissed her off, that’s all. She’s the one I was telling you about. The one I pissed off and had to apologize to.”
Derrick snorts at that.
“What? I’m telling the truth.”
“It must have been insulting because she took some persuading.”
I nodded. “I thought she would. How did you get her to agree?”
“I gave her an offer she couldn’t refuse,” Derrick says, giving his best Godfather impression.
The excitement I feel about getting to continue working with Karly and about getting rid of the cane seems to take over. I don’t know which one I’m more excited about. I want to be excited to be spending time with her, but I know that I’ve already ruined any chance I had with her. So I have to stay focused. I will walk again. And without that fuckin’ cane.
“When is she coming?”
“In a few days. She has to get things settled here.”
After that, I get lost in thought. I’m so excited to share the ranch with Karly, and I can’t wait for her to see it. But another part of me is worried about going home. Worried about making a fool of myself when I won’t even be able to earn my keep anymore.
Karly
The first time I drive out to the Keller ranch I can’t help being impressed by how big and beautiful it is. I drive slowly up the long gravel driveway, just trying to take it all in. It’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.
But of course, I don’t get out much. A lot of my time is spent at the hospital or at my apartment with a window that looks out on the underpass where at any time of day I can witness a drug deal going down. Yeah, the Keller Ranch is definitely a step up from anything I’m used to.
As soon as I pull in, a woman walks out to meet me. She’s beautiful, and instantly I wonder if she could possibly be Jason’s girlfriend. Surely he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Not after the way he was always flirting with me. But of course, I’ve already figured out that I don’t really know Jason that well, so maybe he does.
“Hi. I’m Nurse Berry, but you can call me Karly. This is a beautiful place you have here.”
“It sure is. But it’s not mine. I’m Olivia. I’m the vet here in Forest Grove and I’m also Derrick Keller’s girlfriend.” She blushes prettily as she says it, and I can’t stop from smiling back at her.