Her Forever Cowboy (7 page)

“Yes.”

He grinned; he couldn't stop it. “Most women would have lied on that one.”

“What would be the use in our situation?” she said. “Be honest, this is the last job you'd want. Working for me, while the town tries to figure out how to keep you here.”

“Yes,” he answered as bluntly as she had. “That said, I'm still offering my services if you want to take me up on the offer.” There were all kinds of reasons why he wanted to turn tail and hit the road. But he could help her. He could get her into this building on time and get her dreams heading in the right direction.

The fulfillment of some dreams—other people's dreams—drove him. God hadn't given him the chance or the ability to make his own dream come true. His dream of a life with Lori—of seeing Lori survive her cancer—that had all been out of his hands. But other dreams…dreams that had been dashed through the wrath of Mother Nature—God had granted him the ability to revive.

In doing so, He'd given Cole a reason to keep going. A reason to get up in the mornings.

Susan looked slightly pensive, unsure about him. He didn't have to convey to her that the folks of Mule Hollow would be on a matchmaking tear once she agreed.

She took a deep breath, turned on her heel in a slow swivel as her gaze roamed the office of her dreams. Suddenly she spun back. “When can you start?”

“P
raise the Lord!” Betty exclaimed on Saturday morning. Susan's receptionist let her half-eaten doughnut hover in front of her mouth as Susan entered the clinic. “You look like you're back in the land of the living. Got some sleep the past couple of nights?”

“Sure did,” Susan said, watching as Betty stuffed the rest of the doughnut into her mouth. “You sure you even taste what you're chewing so fast?”

Swiping sugar particles from her lips, Betty grinned. “You should be cramming down a few with the crazy busy day you've got ahead of you. And I do mean crazy! Your tongue's goin' to be dragging before noon!”

Susan glanced down at the book. It had every slot filled in and then more scribbled into the margins. Betty still insisted on using a paper schedule instead of the computer because she couldn't fit folks in—and she always had to fit folks in. “Wow, I tell you, Betty. I'm ready for a rest.”

“I've been telling you that you need to slow down. I know your daddy meant well driving you to be a success, but surely he didn't mean for you to be old before your time. And I know your momma wouldn't have wanted this. No mother would want her daughter so caught up in work she couldn't enjoy life.”

Susan didn't talk about her mother much, but she had talked with Betty about growing up without a mother. She and her dad had made it, but there had always been that void left by her absence. Knowing her mother had died giving birth to her had made Susan feel horrible growing up. But she'd known her mother loved her dearly. “I know you're right. Since Dad's death I've been thinking about that a lot.”

“Good. You need to think about what she'd want and find a husband who'll give you babies and help you in your business.”

Susan nodded, hoping such a man was out there for her.

“So what's this I hear about the hunky Cole Turner? I take my three days off and come back to a very disturbing situation.”

“How did you know about Cole?”

“Me'n George drove to Mule Hollow on Thursday night for all-you-can-eat catfish at Sam's. Believe me when I say I heard all about your falling asleep and the white-knight rescue. Why, to hear them talk it was straight out of one of them romance novels I read.”

Susan cringed at being the talk of the town. It came with the territory when one lived in a small town, but to have everything blown out of proportion like this wasn't
good. The reality had hit home at Lacy's when she'd realized she was now the target of the matchmaking posse. And then, she'd made things worse by giving in to their plans.

Things could only get worse on that front now that she'd done it. Needing sugar, she picked up a doughnut, but put it back down. “Don't believe everything you hear,” she said, snatching up the stack of mail and thumbing through it.

“So what is going on? I heard he's the wandering brother. Not the lawyer, though from what I hear he flies all over the place, too. What is it with these Turner men?” Betty was talking at the speed of light and didn't pause after the question. “Only one that knows how to stay put is Seth…You should have snatched that one up but quick,” she huffed. “Not go gettin' on the back of this Cole's Harley. Is it true you did that?”

Susan nodded. “Believe me, I didn't want to get on the back of that thing, either.”

The mother hen in Betty was out as she crossed her arms and met Susan's gaze. She took this job seriously. “Flirting around with a man like that isn't gonna help you find yourself a husband. That's why you're moving to Mule Hollow in the first place. You don't need to be messing around with someone like this dude. You need a cowboy who is going to hang around. A Harley,” she harrumphed.

“Boy, aren't you wound up this morning?” Susan wondered where her first appointment was. It would help everything if they'd arrive and she could get to work.

“Hey, I'm all for you moving your practice so you can have time to find a husband. But from all accounts this Cole is a good man, but he's a rover. You need a man who will help you in this business where possible.
Someone who will be there for you.
You don't need one off saving the world.”

Saving the world. Was that what Cole was doing? “You're right. I agree totally.” True.

“Then set your priorities right. You have more dating trouble than anyone I've ever seen. I love you like a daughter, but we both know you haven't had much luck picking the right men. It's time for you to use your head and find someone right.”

Susan knew she'd made mistakes where men were concerned—the few she'd tried dating. They always never lasted because she had to put her work first. Building a business wasn't easy. Especially in a man's world. It caused them to think she was bossy.
Bossy!
That word ate at her. But it was the fact that she always picked men who couldn't appreciate her for the person she was or what she did for a living.

“I'm not falling for the guy, Betty. I didn't ask him to come back to town. I also didn't ask him to be the one who found me when I drove off the road. But as much as I hate admitting it, he was there and the situation could have been much worse. And if it had been worse he would have been someone good to be there to help me.”

Betty looked apologetic. “I know, honey. I can't argue that he's not a good man—my goodness, look
what he does for a livin'. But he just isn't the right one for you. You know I worry about you.”

“Betty, I have this under control.” She glanced at the clock and knew if she was going to break the contracting news she needed to do it soon. “Actually, I need to tell you something before appointments start rolling in.”

“Why is it I suddenly get the idea I ain't gonna like what you've got to say?”

Susan cleared her throat. “I don't think you are. But it couldn't be helped or, believe me, I would have done something different.”

Betty's green eyes narrowed.

Susan gulped—
she never gulped!
“I hired him to take over the construction on the clinic.”

Betty whacked the appointment book. “Well, if that just don't beat all. What were you thinking?”

“Well, I needed someone and he was available.” Susan's temper flared. What else did Betty expect her to do?

“That may be so. But you better be on guard is all I've got to say. I've said my piece.” She clamped her mouth shut for five seconds. “And further more, if you think I'm gonna
smile
and make nice when I know what he's up to—well,” she harrumphed. “Then you better just tell Mr. Cole Turner he don't need to be comin' around here, 'cause I'll put a finger in his chest and back him up to that there door so fast he'll think a herd of bulls done ran slap over him!”

What did she think Cole was up to anyway? The man was simply helping her out of a hard situa
tion…
and now you're taking up for the man?
“Betty, really, you are overreacting.” She was relieved to see a truck drive up. “It looks like the day is about to begin.”

Betty grinned as she picked up her pencil and plopped into her chair behind the reception desk. “And ain't that just lucky for you. I'll shut up now.”

“Oh, but I'm certain it'll only be for a few minutes.” Susan laughed and headed toward her office, still confused about what exactly Betty thought Cole was up to.

Behind her Betty's grumble was loud and clear. “You got that right.”

 

“So is Wyatt coming to town or what?” Cole asked his brother as he buttered biscuits. He'd squeezed in some time with Seth and his new sister-in-law before heading over to get things rolling at his new job—the job he was still a little startled to have.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Seth said as he set a plate of sausage and bacon on the table while Melody finished dishing up the scrambled eggs at the stove. “Didn't he tell you it would be Wednesday or Thursday?”

“Yeah, but I'll believe it when I see it.”

“Oh, I hope he does,” Melody said. “Seth, did you know he was supposed to be coming home?”

Seth nodded at her and Cole caught the glimmer of love in his brother's eyes as they connected with his new wife's. Cole really was happy for them. His heart still tugged every time he looked at them, but it was a good tug. Wyatt had been wrong when he'd thought he wasn't happy for them.

Bittersweet at what he was missing, yes, but overjoyed that God had put them together. God and
Wyatt.
It was still strange every time he thought of his big brother setting them up.

Seth started refilling their coffee mugs. “You know how Wyatt likes to run the show. He sounded to me like he had a motive for wanting you back in town, Cole. Any ideas?”

Cole's head jerked up at the question. He wasn't going to tell them that Wyatt was holding his unresolved issues of losing Lori and
their
happy-ever-after over his head. “I think he wanted me home so I'd get to know my new sister-in-law better. I sort of skipped out on y'all early after the wedding…not that the two of you were noticing anything but each other.”

“I have to agree with you,” Seth said, setting the coffee carafe back on the burner. “I barely noticed you'd left. Sorry, brother.”

“Seth, that's horrible!” Melody looked up sheepishly as Seth dropped a kiss on her cheek. “But,” she squeaked, “it is true. I was so happy to be Mrs. Seth Turner that all I could think about was Seth. We really are glad you came home, though.”

Cole liked Melody. She was sweet and kind and perfect for Seth. “I am, too,” he said, and meant it. That wasn't so a week ago. He thought about that as he carried the biscuits to the table. What had changed?

Seth said the blessing a few moments later and Cole felt a peace in the room as the prayer ended and they tucked in. He'd been working so hard and running, as
his brothers knew he was, from the past but Cole was happy for Seth and Melody. It was a precious thing—the joy he saw in their eyes.

“So,” Seth said after food was dished up and they'd started to munch on bacon and eggs, “I'm still surprised you took on Susan's remodel. But it's a good thing.”

“I know she'll appreciate it,” Melody said. “She's about run ragged. We've all been so happy that she decided to do this especially after her falling asleep at the wheel.”

“Stubborn woman,” he grunted before taking a chunk out of a biscuit.

“She is,” Seth said. “But good as gold and driven. She told me once that she was the success she was because her daddy raised her up to stand on her own two feet. She hasn't said much but his death hit her hard.”

Cole let that sink in. She'd lost someone she loved. “She's a tough one, that's for sure. I can see where a dad raised her. What about her mom?” Okay, so he was curious.

“Susan doesn't talk about her. But once she mentioned that she didn't remember her.”

Melody sighed. “I'm hoping she finds a good man. Someone who'll love her like she deserves and fill the empty holes I believe she fills with her work…I used to do that,” she said, reaching out for Seth's hand. “And then I met you.”

Cole took a swig of coffee and tried to ignore the way those words made him feel.

It seemed he and Susan had more than a few things in common.

T
he sun was high in the April afternoon sky as Cole climbed from his truck and headed inside the clinic. From the cattle pens around the back of the building he could hear the low bawl of a few cattle and from inside the clinic, the hectic bark of dogs.

He opened the door—he'd expected from what she'd told him that it would be busy…he hadn't expected chaos!

“Get that dog back—” a pint-size woman yelled from behind the counter as she waved a magazine at a huge shaggy beast of a dog. The owner of the animal was straining to hold the leash while another woman was trying to coax a hissing cat down from the shelf behind the angry woman.

The dog barked like the echoing of a cannon as Cole closed the door behind him. Cole had made some bad choices in life, but in that instant, walking into the fray had to be at the top of the list. The terrified cat sprang
toward him claws out and hit Cole square in the chest—it did
not
feel good.

“Hold him!”
all
the women screamed—as if he needed to hold on to a cat using him as a scratching post. Thankfully, one second the yellow tabby was hooked into his chest and the next it flew to the floor and under a magazine table.

The overexcited woofer spun. Magazines exploded everywhere as the dog hit the small brown table like a linebacker.

Cole hadn't moved, too stunned by what he'd walked into to move. This was
crazy
, he thought, lunging for the leash in an attempt to save the cat.

But before he could help the cornered tabby it took charge, reared up and with a terrifying hiss, slapped the bully across the nose.

Three wide-eyed women flattened against their chair backs clutching their trembling pooches as a new battle threatened.

Cole stormed across the room, snagged the leash and yanked the dog back just as the fed-up cat launched toward it—

Cole's timing couldn't have been worse.

He stepped straight into the line of attack as the cat overshot the dog! Cole had turned back into a human scratching post when Susan rushed out of nowhere and threw a sheet over the cat.

 

Startled, the terrified cat let go of his arm and Cole watched in shock as Susan disappeared into another room with the secured animal.

The room went silent.

Everyone—including the dog at his side—seemed to be holding their breaths.

“I don't know who you are,” the pint-sized woman said, breaking the silence. “But, oh, boy, am I glad to see you.”

“Not sure I'm glad to be here,” he growled about the time Susan came striding back into the room—
without
the cat.

“Betty, please take Sampson into exam room two. You,” she barked the command to Cole. “Come with me, you're bleeding.”

He had never been happier to be bossed around in all of his life.

He gladly turned over the leash to Betty then followed Susan into the exam room.

Oh, yeah, he was bleeding all right. He left a trail as he went.

“What
was
that?” he asked, as she pushed him to sit on the edge of the small animal exam table.

“I'm not exactly sure. Sampson is just a big puppy and normally a doll. But I'd just given him his shots and he was a little shaken up, I gue—” She stopped speaking and was staring at Cole's arm in horror. “I'm so sorry you got caught up in it.”

“It's okay.” He didn't want to make her feel any worse. She shook her head and reached for his shredded shirtsleeve. A quick and gentle roll exposed a not-so-pretty sight.

“I'm not even going to ask if that hurts—I know
exactly how it feels.” She leaned closer, her fingers trailing along his arm as she cataloged his injuries. “It doesn't look like you'll need stitches.” She looked up and met his gaze.

“I'm sure you've been attacked many times in this line of business,” he said, feeling no pain, only her gentle touch.

She batted her Mediterranean blues at him and for a moment he was lost in them.

She suddenly backed up, spun away and began washing her hands at the sink as if realizing she'd forgotten to sanitize before touching him. “It's a job risk,” she said briskly. “I seem to keep involving you in all my job risks.”

“True. Maybe we should stop meeting this way.”

She gave a tiny smile, more grimace than anything. “I agree. No more mishaps from this day forward. Mine or yours.”

He grinned at her as she began cleaning the punctures.

“Do you often have to deal with that sort of craziness?”

She shook her head. “Betty usually foresees disaster before it happens. She orchestrates the waiting room and exam perfectly. But today…” She frowned. “Her timing was off.”

Maybe not, Cole thought, watching her work. He would have missed the feel of her touch otherwise as she gently put antiseptic on the wounds. As crazy as it sounded, the sting of alcohol had never been more welcome. Her blond hair was in its usual ponytail,
falling over her shoulder as she worked. She lifted serious eyes to his.

“This may get infected.”

“I work disasters, Doc. It'll be fine. I've been attacked by scared animals before.”

“Really?” Her eyes widened. “I hadn't thought of that.”

He shrugged. “You name it, I've most likely tangled with it.”

She started to wrap a bandage around the worst wound. “Did you get some sleep last night?” he asked.

She stepped away from him. “Yes, I did. That's two nights in a row. It was wonderful. I may not be so lucky tonight.”

“Let's hope the emergency night calls hold off until I get your clinic done. Speaking of which. I stopped by to tell you that I've picked up enough Sheetrock and supplies to get started tonight. By the time I get back to Mule Hollow this afternoon the demolition should be complete.”

“You're kidding?”

“Hey, don't look so startled. I told you I knew what I was doing.”

“Yes, I know. I guess I wasn't expecting you to jump in the very next morning.”

“Why not?”

“Where did you find the help so quickly?”

He liked surprising her. The thought hit him that he liked seeing the light it brought to her eyes. And the touch of a flush it put in her cheeks. “You
see
,” he drawled, “that's where it comes in handy to have hired
hands already working at the ranch. Cowboys are some of the best jacks-of-all-trades you can find.”

She crossed her arms and leaned her hip against the counter. “Yes, they are. But still I didn't expect anyone to have the time.”

“Seth helped out on that end by making the time for them. He's managing for a few days.” He didn't need to tell her that it was a tough time to be loaning out help. Susan knew the business. “The whole town wants their favorite doctor safe.”

He half expected her to bridle at the mere insinuation that she might not be safe. She didn't, though—must have been because he was injured.

“I'm ready to be there, too. You look like that shocks you.”

“I'm just startled that you didn't jump on me for suggesting that you couldn't handle the drive and the work.”

She smiled, her lips turning up just enough that she looked apologetic. “Speaking of work. I hate this happened to you, but I need to get to my appointments before they pile up so far back we have all kinds of cat and dog fights in the waiting room. Are you sure you're okay?”

“I'm good as new, Doc.” He hopped from the exam table and rolled his tattered sleeve down. “It's out
there
that worries me.” He yanked his head toward the door and grinned. “Who knows what waits on the other side of that door.”

“Oh, I promise I'll get you out of here without any more damage to your body. You just stick with me,” she teased, moving to go out ahead of him.

“I'm feeling good about my chances with you in the lead. Hey, I almost forgot. I came by to ask about some wall placements.” She leaned against the door and listened as he quickly explained a couple of minor changes to what they'd talked about the day before. Hearing she liked his idea, he felt satisfaction knowing she appreciated an improvement and recognized it as such.

She made the move to open the door. He touched her arm, drawing her attention. “When do you think you'll get to come out?”

“Um.” Her brows crinkled. “It will be tonight after work if I can catch up—which I will, if the rest of the day goes without mishap.”

“Then, I'll be there. If for some reason I miss you, you know, like if Seth needs me at the ranch or something like that, then call this number and I'll meet you there.” He tugged his billfold from his back pocket and withdrew a business card. “Hopefully, we will both have uneventful afternoons.”

She opened the door and he walked out into the reception room, which was in perfect order. The pint-size woman hurried from around the counter.

“Thanks again for saving the day. Dad-blame horse of a dog had a bee in its bonnet after Susan stuck that needle in him. I'm Betty, by the way.”

Cole took the hand she offered him and shook. “Glad to meet you, Betty. I'm Cole Turner.” No sooner was his name out of his mouth than Betty's mouth clamped tight and her eyes beaded.

She shot Susan a weird little look that he was certain had some kind of hidden message in it.

He lifted a brow and hitched a half grin. “Is something wrong?”

“Oh,
yeah
, Buster Brown. You planning to hit the road again after you get that building done?”

“Betty!”

Cole not only heard the warning in Susan's tone, but saw it in her eyes. What was going on here? It was clear that Betty was none too pleased with him. “Most likely. Is something wrong here?”

“No. Everything is just fine.” Susan glared at her receptionist.

“It is not,” Betty huffed.

Cole chuckled. Tiny Betty was like a miniature hen protecting her chick. What was up with her? Did she think he was here to play around—

“Someone needs to put all the cards out on the table. He needs to know I won't tolerate him—”

“Betty, please. Clients,” Susan said under her breath as she took Betty by the shoulders and hustled her toward one of the exam rooms. “I need you to go and check on Tabby and make sure that he's calmed down after that scare he had.”

“He is—but—”

“Go, Betty. I mean it.” Susan opened the door and practically pushed Betty through the opening. Before she disappeared, Betty got in another glare at him that said this conversation would be continued.

Susan swung around and leaned against the closed door. “Sorry. Betty tends to get riled up easy.”

“You don't say? What was she—”

Susan blushed…a full rose-pink. Not the pink cheeks like he'd seen before but an all-out hairline-to-neckline color change. And then he got it. “Ohhhh, she thinks—”

“I really have to get back to work.” Susan glanced self-consciously about the packed waiting room and the women who'd all seemed to lean forward in their seats. Cole laughed, knowing that Susan was trying to stomp out a fire that was already well out of control.

She was definitely the talk of the town—or towns, since this was Ranger and there was no doubt in his mind that the same speculation was happening in Mule Hollow.

He grinned at her and she did not take it well. Oh, no, she snapped a hand to his good arm, yanked open the front door and shoved him outside.

“I'll see you tonight,” she hissed, then pulled the door closed in his face.

Cole couldn't help laughing. Small-town life…he chuckled halfway home thinking about the look of horror on Susan's face. There was one thing for certain and that was Susan wasn't lovin' life in a small town right now.