The Rancher's Unexpected Family

“It did,” he replied and moved around the front of the truck. “I broke my back and a bunch of other bones and spent months in the hospital.”

Ash was horrified. “You could have been killed.”

He shrugged. “It’s a dangerous sport. I knew the risks. I had a tire blow out and lost control. It happens. But I was stubborn and wouldn’t let it beat me. Then had to learn how to walk again.”

“You couldn’t walk?” Jaye’s incredulous voice rang out between them.

“That’s right, buddy. I spent a long time in hospital and then worked with a physical therapist to get back on my feet.”

“I have a physical therapist,” Jaye announced, clearly proud to have some common denominator with the man in front of him. “I go and see her every two weeks, don’t I, Mom?” He didn’t wait for her to respond. “Her name is Becca and she’s really nice. Grandma says she’s a cougar, though,” Jaye said and then frowned. “But I don’t really know what that means.”

Ash gasped slightly. “Ah, Jaye, why don’t you go and see if Uncle Ted needs any help with the vegetable garden.”

He groaned. “But, Mom,” he complained. “I’m gonna help Cole fix the truck and that’s going to take—”

“You can still help,” Cole said easily. “We’ll work on the truck some more tomorrow. And if it’s okay with you, I’d like to talk to your mom about a few things.”

“About me?”

Cole shook his head fractionally. “About Maisy. You know how I told you she wasn’t feeling so great this morning?”

Jaye nodded, absorbing Cole’s words as though they were gold. “Okay, I’ll see you later. See you later, too, Mom,” her son said as he headed from the barn.

Cole waited until her son was out of sight before speaking again. “So, about this cougar...”

Ash met his gaze and laughed. “I really have to tell my mother to stop gossiping.”

“Where’s the fun in that,” he teased and draped the cloth over the hood. “Your brakes are fixed and the thermostat needs replacing. I’ve spoken to your uncle this morning and he’s given me the number of a place in town where I can get the part ordered.”

Fixed. Just like that. Ash had been under the hood of the old truck countless times, trying to figure out the problem. The next stop was the auto repair shop in town owned by her friend Joss Culhane—probably where Cole intended ordering the part from. She experienced a feeling of gratitude that quickly manifested into awareness when he crossed his arms, flexing muscles that were impossible to ignore. Awareness morphed into a blisteringly hot rush of lust so intense it almost knocked the breath from her lungs.

She wanted to say something. Anything. But nothing came out. It was Cole who spoke next.

“I’m sorry about last night,” he said quietly. “I shouldn’t have said that to you. Sometimes I speak before I think and—”

“I didn’t deny it,” she said, cutting him off, suddenly hot all over. The less they said about the subject, the better. “Let’s just forget about it. You said you wanted to discuss Maisy? Is she unwell?”

He shrugged lightly and looked a little uncomfortable. “Ah, girl stuff, she said. Which is obviously my cue to just nod and say nothing. But if you could look in on her this morning I would be grateful,” he said and sighed. “She’s not exactly talking to me at the moment. She doesn’t want to be here...she made that very clear.”

Ash nodded, feeling a deep surge of sympathy for his daughter. And him. “My mother heard you arguing when she went to check on Ricky.”

“It wasn’t a new argument. Just Maisy being...Maisy.”

Ash offered a gentle and knowing smile. “I’ll go and see how she’s doing. And, Cole,” she said quietly, “thank you for spending some time with Jaye this morning. He usually only has Uncle Ted to show him things around the place.”

“He’s good company,” he replied and smiled. “And smart, and quite the mechanical engineer. He showed me his sketches for his soapbox cart—you know, for when he gets to race.”

Ash moaned a little. “He’s been trying to get my agreement for the past six months.”

“Last night you said you were reluctant to let him enter this year?”

“Absolutely,” she replied. “He could get injured.”

“Or not,” Cole said as he moved around the truck and closed the hood. “I imagine it will be well supervised.”

Ash knew it was. The spring fair was a popular annual celebration in Cedar River and all the competitive events were run smoothly and safely, from the rodeo to the three-legged races. But it wasn’t only Jaye’s physical safety she worried about, but also his emotional well-being.

“He could get...teased.”

Cole wiped his hands on a rag. “He seems like a pretty resilient kid to me.”

Ash straightened her spine. “Are you saying you think I should let him do it?”

Cole moved back around the truck and faced her. “I’m saying that he’s a smart kid who’s sketched an impressive set of plans for a soapbox-derby cart. That’s all.”

Resentment licked across her skin. He didn’t have any right to an opinion. And just as she was about to say as much, her irritation suddenly wavered. Because he was right. Jaye was resilient. And strong. And smart.

“I think I’ll go and check on Maisy,” she said, confused by the unexpected lack of clarity in her thinking. When it came to her son, Ash always knew the right road. But somehow, this man she’d known for less than twenty-four hours made her question her usual rock-solid resolve. “I’m taking the kids for a picnic down at the creek this afternoon. You and Maisy are welcome to come along.”

She turned and walked away before he could respond, grateful that she didn’t have to look into his eyes any longer and determined to get all thoughts of him out of her head. When she reached the cabin, she tapped on the door and, when no response came, opened it and headed inside. Maisy sat on the sofa, earbuds in, her expression like thunder.

“I knocked,” Ash said when the teen scowled in her direction. She walked toward the sofa and smiled. “Your dad said you weren’t feeling well. Is there anything I can get for you? Hot water bottle? Ibuprofen?”

Maisy immediately looked defensive and then shrugged. “Sure. Whatever.”

Ash left the cabin and returned about five minutes later. Maisy was in the same spot, still scowling, still looking as though she had the world on her shoulders. After a few more minutes Ash had the water bottle filled, the painkillers and a glass of water on the coffee table and she held out a can of soda.

“Ginger ale,” she explained. “I find it helps with an upset tummy.”

Maisy took the can. “Thanks.”

Ash smiled. “We’re all heading down to the creek later for a picnic. I know Ricky would like the company if you’re up for helping me chaperone the younger kids.”

Maisy met her gaze for a moment. “Is he coming, too?”

“Your dad?” Ash asked. “I invited him. I guess that’s up to him.”

The teenager shrugged disinterestedly. “If I go, he’ll go—so we can bond, or whatever. The counselor at school said it takes time to bond.”

“The counselor is right. It takes time and effort.”

Maisy shrugged again. “He tries too hard.”

“He’s your father,” Ash said gently. “That’s his job.”

Maisy’s gaze jerked upward and her expression softened for a nanosecond. “Maybe I will come.”

“Great. I’ll see you later.”

Ash left the cabin and lingered on the small porch for a second, looking out across the yard. Cole was near the entrance to the barn, and then he began walking across the yard toward Uncle Ted and Jaye. He had an easy kind of swagger to his movements, and she remembered how he’d talked about the accident that had almost killed him and how he’d had to learn to walk again. It spoke volumes about his dedication and commitment. There was something almost magnetic about him...and it wasn’t simply her reaction to his obvious good looks. Sure, he was handsome and had a stellar physique. But this was something else. Something more. And she was still thinking it as she walked back toward the house.

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