Look, Im good at what I do, she asserted. If you want me to take this job, you have to trust me.
Nice going, Bailey. Three minutes after he offers you the position and youre already giving ultimatums. What happened to demure and diplomatic and all that other crap?
He clenched his jaw, and she wondered uneasily if he would throw her out. Then he shoved a hand through his hair, the anger in his expression fading. Shes my responsibility. It didnt sound like a protest, more like...a plea.
Her heart twisted at the jagged vulnerability in his voice. She added lack of professional detachment to her list of todays sins.
Jarrett sighed, rounding the desk toward her. Come on. Lets get this over with.
* * *
LAST SPRING, JARRETT had subdued a towering drunk intent on a bar fight until Sheriff Trent and Deputy Thomas could get there. During the summer, hed calmly faced an angry bull and the occasional venomous copperhead. But women? They were scary.
Caught between Vickis inevitable displeasure and Sierras implacable resolve, he held his breath and knocked on the closed bedroom door. Normally, he did just fine with ladies, but now he was trapped in a house with two females he couldnt charm. His sister was immune, and flirting with an employee was unethical.
A rebellious part of his brain that didnt care about ethics wondered, if he were free to flirt with Sierra, how would she respond?
She was tough, with an unyielding force of will, hardly a woman who batted her lashes and giggled when a guy looked in her direction. Yet thered been a sizzling moment in the study when their eyes met and He broke off the thought. What had happened to not allowing himself to lust after the therapist?
Annoyed at his lack of discipline, he banged his fist against the door a bit harder this time. Still no response.
Shes not answering. From behind him, Sierra stated the obvious. Her palpable impatience was a vibration in the air. He could just imagine the nuclear confrontation when her hardheaded personality clashed with his sisters. Was it a mistake to hire the redhead instead of sweet-natured Lucy Aldridge, who would affectionately fuss over Vicki as if she were an honorary grandchild?
We should go in, she urged.
Nearly a month of this woman bossing him around? Jarrett ground his teeth. Im not in the habit of invading her privacy.
Sierras hand curved over his shoulder, surprising him, and when he turned to meet her gaze, he saw genuine concern. Youd be checking to make sure shes okay. The way youve described her state of mind...
He turned the knob and shoved the door open a few inches. Vicki?
She was lying on her back with her eyes closed, but her features were creased with aggravation. Im trying to sleep. Go away.
Sierra squeezed past him into the room. Since youre awake, I was hoping we could talk.
At the unfamiliar voice, Vicki opened her eyes. Nows not a good time. She glared past the redhead at her brother. Id appreciate you not letting strangers into my room.
I
Not a stranger for long, Sierra interrupted cheerfully. Im your new physical therapist. Sierra Bailey. Pleased to meet you.
Jarrett wasnt sure when shed officially accepted the job, but he didnt undermine her authority by asking the question out loud.
Sierra took a step closer to the bed, nodding toward the brace that covered most of Vickis forearm. Are you regularly seeing a therapist about your wrist?
Vicki grunted a sound that was more or less agreement.
How much have you been working at home? Sierra asked, switching to a question that required a more specific answer.
When I can. It hurts.
The more you build your strengthwithin medically approved parameters, of coursethe faster youll heal. What exercises have you been doing?
Youre the one who needs this job, Vicki snapped. Shouldnt I be doing the interrogating?
Folding his arms across his chest, Jarrett waited to see how Sierra dealt with his sisters uncooperative attitude. He knew from their exchange back in his dads study that the redhead had a temper.
Yet Sierras tone was only one of mild reproach when she said, I didnt realize you had any questions for me. According to your brother, you willingly forfeited any say in the decision-making process. She paused. But if theres something youd like to ask, fire away.
Have you even been a therapist long enough to know what youre doing? Vicki raked her over with an expression that made it clear she wasnt impressed with what she saw. You barely look old enough to buy beer.
Despite the younger womans sneering, Sierra smiled broadly. Twenty-seven in November. But if you keep up the flattery, I might make it the whole time Im here without trying to smother you.
Jarrett bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Technically speaking, it was poor bedside manner to threaten ones patients. But Vickis outraged expression was downright encouraging. It reminded him of fights theyd had in years past, when shed been whole and spirited. Hed take her anger any day of the week over the hollow-eyed stare shed developed.
Although hed wanted to gauge how the two females interacted without his interference, now he spoke up on Sierras behalf, defending his hiring decision. Ms. Baileys well qualified for her jobeducated and experienced. According to Daniel Baron, shes one of the best in the state of Texas.
Sierra glanced back, looking surprised by the endorsement. The smile she flashed him decimated his vow not to notice how attractive she was.
Thank you. But its silly to call me Ms. Bailey. We should be on a first-name basis since well be living together. Who knowsby this time next month, well probably all have nicknames for each other.
I have a few ideas, Vicki muttered.
So do I. As for my qualifications, I graduated college early and finished my med school program at the top of the class. Before that, I logged hundreds of volunteer hours in clinics and my high school athletic department, learning from the trainers. Ive been learning everything I can about physical therapy since a PT helped me after I fractured my spine. Youre not the only one held together with screws and plates, she added softly.
Jarrett was caught off guard by this revelation. During their conversations on the phone and in the study, shed never volunteered why shed chosen the field. He hadnt thought to ask. With the knowledge that theyd faced similar obstacles, maybe Vicki would
Were not gonna be besties just because weve both had surgery, his sister said.
Definitely not, Sierra agreed. I dont do bonding.
Oddly, the disdainful words seemed to mollify his sister.
Vicki was quiet for a long moment. Youve only asked me about my wrist. Why not the big thing?
You mean the fact that youre in a wheelchair? Dont let that loom large in your mind as The Big Thing. In principle, the broken pelvis is just like the broken wrist. Both are physical challenges you can overcome with time to heal and lots of hard work. The question is, are you willing to do the work?
When Vicki slowly nodded, something like hope shining in her dark eyes, Jarrett knew he owed Daniel Baron a debt of gratitude. Sierra Bailey was definitely the right woman for the job.
When Vicki slowly nodded, something like hope shining in her dark eyes, Jarrett knew he owed Daniel Baron a debt of gratitude. Sierra Bailey was definitely the right woman for the job.
* * *
DINNER THAT NIGHT was quiet, and as he washed off the plates, Jarrett found himself anxiously awaiting Sierras return in two days. Hed always loved the spacious ranch house, but with just him and his sullen sister, the empty space around them magnified the silence. That wouldnt be the case when Sierra moved in. Despite being a petite woman, she somehow filled an entire room with her energy.
Jarrett had invited her to stay for supper after her conversation with Vicki, but shed insisted she needed to get going as soon as possible.
The suns setting earlier every day, shed pointed out, and I need to get at least somewhere close to civilization before its completely dark. If I never return, its because I got lost on one of your meandering, quaintly unmarked roads. Seriously, is there like a town ordinance against signs?
In the short time shed been at the ranch, shed made several comments suggesting Cupids Bow was not her ideal location. Thank God shed agreed to take the position anyway. He glanced to where Vicki sat at the table, trying to touch her thumb to her finger. It was one of the exercises Sierra had insisted Vicki do.
You follow this regimen exactly until I get back, Sierra had said, handing over a sheet of paper. Or incur my wrath.
Vicki had rolled her eyes. You really scare me, shorty.
Was it wishful thinking on Jarretts part or had there almost been a smile in her voice? Even though parts of his sisters encounter with Sierra had been contentious, it was still the most animated hed seen her in weeksnot counting the infrequent times her doofus boyfriend bothered to phone.
Jarrett had no real reason to dislike Aaron, but seeing how much those short conversations meant to his sister, he resented that the guy couldnt make time in his busy college schedule to call more often. Or maybe Aarons inattention makes you feel guilty because you know damn well there are women who probably expected a call from you that never came.
He balled up the dish towel and threw it on the counter. You ready to try that rice thing? Sierra had left instructions for Jarrett to fill a bucket with dry rice and for Vicki to place her hand inside and try to rotate it. The rice would provide resistance.
The physical therapist had arched an eyebrow at Vicki. Resistance is right up your alley, yeah?
Jarrett went into the walk-in pantry for a bag of rice without waiting for his sisters answerthese days, he couldnt always count on her to give him one. When he joined her at the table, she was still doing the first set of exercises, wincing in visible pain. He desperately wanted to say something helpful, but what? The closest he could come to empathizing with what she was going through were the many bruises and sore muscles that came with riding rodeo. Hed voluntarily endured those because he liked to win. There was nothing voluntary about her suffering.
As she slid her left hand into the bucket, he tried to sound encouraging. Sierra is highly recommended. Follow her advice, and Im sure all of this will get easier. Eventually.
Beads of sweat dotted Vickis forehead as she attempted to turn her wrist. Shes pretty, too. Like, obnoxiously pretty. She pinned him with her gaze. Dont you think so?
The question felt like a trap. Saying he hadnt noticed Sierras appearance would be a ridiculous lie and an insult to his sisters intelligence. But survival instincts warned that admitting Sierra was beautiful would only increase the household tension. Im not sure what obnoxiously pretty means.
Well, shes way more fun for a guy to look at than old Lucy Aldridge.
The realization of what she was suggesting bit into him like barbwire through the skin. Shame bubbled to the surface instead of blood. His sister truly believed he was so selfish that he would hire the woman in charge of her well-being based on sex appeal? Of course she does. He had a track record of putting pleasure before loved ones or responsibility.
He clenched his hands into fists, and the reflexive action only heightened his guilt. He could move all ten of his fingers with no effort at all, while Vicki had gone pale in her wheelchair from trying to stir around grains of rice.
Vic, I would have hired a wart-covered, hunchbacked troll if I thought she could get you better faster. Maybe some guys would find Sierra Bailey fun to look at, but I wont be looking at her. Ill be working the ranch and staying out of her way so she can focus on you. Your recovery is all that matters to me.
She cast him a brief, skeptical glance before ducking her gaze without comment. The little sister whod once idolized him no longer trusted him.
Why should she? Hed given her reason to doubt. I know I let you down, Vic, but I swear it wont happen again.
Chapter Five
Even though shed packed up her car with luggage and turned off all her utilities, accepting the job with the Rosses didnt feel real until Sierra drove past the Welcome to Cupids Bow sign on Saturday. Sure, the town welcomes youthen they hide all the other road signs so you can never find your way back out. Cupids Bow, Texas. Come for the home cooking, stay for...ever.
On the phone last night, Muriel had asked, Are you sure about this, darling? Living in some backwater town for a month when you could be at home with your loving family?
If Sierra hadnt already been convinced that she should take the job, that would have done the trick.
Now, alone in the car, she reiterated what shed said to her mother. This is where I need to be right now. So why the nervous butterflies in her stomach? Anxiety that Vicki Ross would be a difficult patient?
No way. I am Sierra Bailey, and I eat difficulty for breakfast. I pour it into my coffee to give it that extra kick.
And yet...tummy flutters. She refused to even consider that they might be a reaction to seeing Jarrett Ross again. Sure, the rancher was good-looking, but shed spent many hands-on hours working with hot athletes. She was not jittery about moving in with a tall, gray-eyed cowboy. The more likely explanation for her apprehensive stomach was that breakfast hadnt agreed with her.
There was a grocery store up ahead. She could stop for antacids and other essentials shed want to have on hand for the next few weeks. Plus, Jarrett had mentioned that grocery shopping and meal preparation would be part of her job. Might as well investigate the supermarkets selection and get her bearings.
Fifteen minutes later, shed discovered that the local produce prices were fantastic and that she didnt own enough denim to fit in around Cupids Bow. The two pairs of jeans she did own were in a suitcase in her car; she felt conspicuous in her circle skirt, swirled with autumn colors, and green chenille V-neck sweater. The only people shed seen who werent wearing jeans either wore denim shorts or overalls.
Rounding an endcap, she pushed the cart into the pharmaceutical section, gratified to spot a blonde woman, her hair pulled back in a loose French braid, wearing a sundress not made of denim. The bright geometric print and pattern of straps holding the bodice in place made the outfit fashionable without looking ostentatious.