One Stubborn Cowboy (19 page)

"There's the phone. I'll get it." Sally sprinted to the back door, and the screen slammed behind her. The shrill ring of the phone was abruptly silenced.

Kit saw a movement in the distance and raised his head, narrowing his gaze. It was one of the men who worked for him, Pete.

Kit roared his name and the cowboy changed his horse's direction and headed straight for the yard at a gallop. In only a minute he swung down from his horse, tying him to the rail of the fence.

"What happened, boss?" He hurried over, his eyes on Kelly.

"She took a spill. Can you get her into the house? Put her in my bed."

"Sure thing." Pete reached out and grabbed Kit's crutches with one hand, held his other out to the boss without a word. Kit took it and was standing in a second.

"Just you relax, miss. I won't drop you." Pete knelt and picked Kelly up, straightening slowly and turning toward the house.

Kit reached the door first and opened it, holding it as Pete carried Kelly inside. She'd put her arm around his shoulder and rested her head against him. Kit's face tightened at the sight, but there wasn't a damn thing he could do about. He couldn't have brought her into the house. Hell, if it had been left to him she'd still be lying in the dirt in the yard.

Sally was talking on the phone when Kit entered. He moved to stand beside her, listening to her side of the conversation.

"Well?" he asked as she hung up.

"Doc said we should watch her closely for concussion but he can't get out here until later. If we see any change for the worse, we're to take her to the hospital. Otherwise he'll be out this evening to see her. We're to keep her quiet and lying down."

Pete came back into the kitchen. "All set, boss. You okay?"

"Yeah, thanks, Pete. What were you doing this way?"

"The fool horse threw a shoe. I was coming in to fix it and head back out."

"Good timing," was all Kit said as he headed toward his room.

Kelly was lying on the bed and for a moment Kit's body tightened in memory of last weekend when they'd been on his bed together. He moved slowly closer. Her eyes were closed, the skin was scraped and bleeding slightly and a dark bruise was already forming over her left eye.

"Kelly?"

Her eyes opened and he could see the pain in their depths.

"We'll fix up your head. Dr. Thornton will be out later to check you out. He thinks you'll be fine. Anything else hurt besides your head?"

"My shoulder and hip. Where I landed, I guess. How's Sam?"

"Fine. We'll get him unhitched in a little while. I wanted to see you first."

Sally came in with a bowl of warm water, a cloth, some antiseptic cream and bandages. She smiled at Kelly and began to sponge off the scrape. Kelly closed her eyes as Sally cleaned the abrasion. God, her head hurt!

Kit leaned heavily on his crutches and gazed bitterly down at the woman in his bed. He hadn't hated his condition as much since the early days. He felt so helpless. What kind of woman would want a man who couldn't help her if she was injured? A man who could barely take care of himself, much less anyone else. If there'd been any doubt before, this cinched it. They had no future together. He would never tie her to a cripple.

Abruptly he turned and left the room.

Kelly endured Sally's ministrations quietly, though her head pounded. Taking two aspirins, she lay back and tried to sleep, afraid to move an inch lest the pain roar through her head again.

She felt like such an idiot. She should have thought about tying the pony's reins, or at least holding them as she got down. Of course he'd move.

Kit was probably very glad their supposed romance was only a charade. He was used to competent people who could handle themselves around livestock, not ignorant ones who couldn't get out of a pony cart without falling.

She wished she could go home. Hide in her room until she felt better. She wished he'd stayed and talked to her. Maybe even kissed her. Fretfully she tried to get comfortable.

Finally she drifted into a light sleep.

The doctor came after dinner and pronounced a slight concussion, recommending bed rest for a couple of days.

"I can't stay here. This is Kit's bed. Where would he sleep?" she asked Sally, who had stayed with her while the doctor was there.

"He can sleep on the sofa," Kit said from the door. "How is she, Doctor?"

"Be fine in a couple of days. But I recommend complete bed rest until then."

"I can go home," Kelly said.

"No." Kit didn't even look at her. He was talking to the doctor. "She can stay here. The sofa in the den is long enough for me to sleep on a couple of nights. Sally can see to her meals and things."

"Kit..."

"I think he's right, Kelly. You need someone to get you something to eat, and it won't be any extra trouble for us to look after you," Sally said earnestly.

"Of course it is."

She should be arguing more forcefully, but her head was pounding, her shoulder aching and her hip throbbing. All she wanted to do was escape the aches that racked her. She wasn't up to arguing.

"Here, some painkillers. Take two now, and tomorrow as you need them. I think you'll be fine within a day or two." The doctor gave her a packet, nodded to Sally and Kit and left.

"I'll get some water so you can take them now," Sally said, following behind the doctor.

Kit came into the room, up to the side of the bed.

"Don't fret, honey. It'll just make your headache worse," he said, reaching out to brush her hair back from her forehead.

"I don't want you to sleep on the sofa," she murmured fretfully.

"I've slept in worse places. Though I'd rather be sleeping there with you," he said softly, one eye on the door for Sally's return.

She opened her eyes and smiled slowly. "Sorry, cowboy, not tonight. I have a headache."

He chuckled and reached out to thread the fingers of his hand through hers, squeezing slightly, holding her smaller hand in his. "God, you scared me," he said softly, his thumb tracing the soft skin on the back of her hand, his dark blue eyes staring down into hers.

"Sorry," she said slowly. Despite the headache and aches and bruises elsewhere, she was conscious of the tingling in her hand and arm from his touch. She wanted him to kiss her, chase away the pain and make her forget how dumb she'd been.

"Oops, am I intruding?" Sally asked, pausing in the doorway, her eyes on their linked hands.

"Yes, but come in anyway. She needs the pain pills." Kit stepped back and waited while Sally helped Kelly take two pills. She set the rest of the pills and water on the bedside table.

"Need anything else?" Sally asked.

"No, thanks for everything." Kelly's voice was tired.

"Good night, then." Sally threw a saucy glance at Kit and left the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

Kit smiled grimly. Apparently their pretense was working with his sister-in-law. It was working with everyone, including himself.

Kelly opened her eyes and looked at him. "I shouldn't be taking your bed."

"Don't worry about it, honey, just get better." He leaned over and brushed his lips against her forehead, near the bandage. "See you later."

Kit worked in the office all evening, trying to keep his mind occupied, trying to forget the sight of Kelly lying in the dust, with him helpless to move her. But the image reappeared and reappeared. If it hadn't been for Pete, she might have had to lie there for hours.

His hand tightened into a fist and he stared out into the dark night sky. He'd known since the accident that he couldn't expect to have a normal life. First the bull, then Althea had made sure of that. But for the past few days he'd almost let himself think about it, almost believed it would be possible.

That had to stop. It was obvious it wouldn't work. It wouldn't be fair to Kelly. Or himself.

Even as he said it, he wanted to deny it. She'd felt so good in his arms. Her body had been so soft and feminine, her loving so tempestuous. He ached in sudden longing and desire, wanting to hold her, kiss her, love her just one more time.

He heard Clint and Sally go to bed. For a moment jealousy flashed through him at their happiness. What a bastard he was to resent his brother's happiness. He'd known the risks of the rodeo. He'd thrived on the danger and hair-raising chances. Only somehow he'd never truly thought he'd be injured.

Or what the full extent of that injury would entail. It was more than just a useless right leg. It meant he was dependent on his brother and wife, unable to do the kinds of things he had always loved. It meant he couldn't offer a woman any kind of marriage that would appeal to her. The years stretched out dismally before him. Long and endless and lonely.

The house grew quiet around him. The night was still and dark. Hours passed and Kit remained staring out the window at the past. Finally he switched off the lamp and rose. She was so close. It wouldn't hurt for one more night.

He opened the door to his room and shut it behind him. Slowly crossing until he was beside the bed, he sank down and eased off his boots. Lying back against the pillows fully dressed, he turned toward Kelly. He could barely see her in the faint light. She was on her back, asleep.

Slowly he reached out, pulling her onto him, nestling her head gently against his shoulder. Soothing back her hair, careful of the bandage.

"Umm. Kit?" she murmured, still half asleep.

"Shh, honey. Just sleep." His fingers gently combed through her soft waves, rubbing her head slightly, hoping to ease the pain that engulfed her.

"I love you," she said softly and drifted back to sleep.

His eyes stayed open in shock. Was she dreaming? Hell of a thing to say to a man holding her in bed. Did she mean it? What a nightmare if she did! He couldn't offer her anything. He'd have to make that clear in the morning. Let her know when she was better that they'd go back to being friends. That he'd give up their pretense. Better face Althea with the truth than give Kelly any cause to think their future could be together.

She smelled so sweet, and the feel of her in his arms was a delight. She snuggled against him as Kit held her, his hands absorbing the touch of her skin against his fingertips, the satiny texture of her hair, the warmth of her breath against his chest.

"I love you, too, darlin'. And there's not a damned thing I can do about it," he said softly.

* * *

When Kelly awoke the next morning she felt almost fit again, but a quick trip to the bathroom convinced her otherwise. She was relieved to return to bed, shakily drawing the covers over her and resting her head back against the pillows. The pounding eased immediately.

She was alone. Had she dreamed last night that Kit had come to bed with her? She tried to remember, but she had dreams about him often. Had last night just been another?

"Good morning. How do you feel?" Sally breezed in after sticking her head around the door. She brought a tray of scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and tea.

"Better. But my head started to swim when I used the bathroom."

"Doctor said a couple of days in bed. That means all day today."

"I should get up."

"Nonsense. Now you eat and I'll visit while you do."