After taking Kent back to the care home the previous evening, she returned to find Tate sleeping peacefully.
She watched him for a long moment, drinking in the sight of his face, looking so boyish in slumber. Gently pulling the covers up over one muscled shoulder, she gave in to the desire to run her fingers through his hair then bent to softly kiss his cheek.
His masculine scent filled her senses and the warmth of his stubbly cheek made her lips tingle, leaving her incapable of settling down for the night.
She cleaned her already neat apartment, baked a pie, and readied her Christmas cards for mailing. Finally forcing herself to go to bed, she fell into an exhausted sleep.
Mindful she needed to check on Tate, she made herself get out of bed when she could easily spend a few more hours sleeping.
Since Tate seemed inclined to think he could go to the ranch and take care of himself, she still hadn’t returned his phone. Kent thought it was funny she’d taken it away and told her she had matters well in hand.
Cort and Huck both called to check on their friend and she’d given them an honest report. Cort said he’d let anyone else know who needed to about Tate’s condition and chuckled when she told him why Tate didn’t answer his phone.
After yanking on her workout clothes, she peeked inside Tate’s room. Soundly sleeping, she left him alone and closed the door.
She hurried outside and jogged to the fitness center available to members of the apartment complex. Grateful for the close location of the gym, Kenzie went through her standard workout then jogged through the freezing temperatures back to her apartment.
When she returned inside, noise from the guest room let her know Tate had discovered the remote control for the television in his room.
Quietly opening the bedroom door, she was pleased to see him sitting up, looking more alert than he had the previous day.
“Good morning,” she said. Suddenly remembering she didn’t have on a speck of makeup, her hair was in a messy ponytail, and sweat ran down her neck, she hovered in the doorway, wishing she’d taken time to shower first.
“Hey,” Tate said with the easy grin she loved, although it looked a little forced. It made her stomach flutter when his dimples popped out in his cheeks.
She fought the urge to fidget when Tate attempted to look her over. “Working out?”
“Yes. The apartment complex has a fitness center.” Kenzie stuck her head far enough into the room to see Tate watched the news.
“Handy.” He continued staring at what he could see of her around the door she used as a shield.
“I’m going to clean up. If you want to take a shower, I can help you wrap your arm to keep it dry.” Kenzie thought it might help Tate feel better to take a shower. The modified sponge bath she’d given him after his accident hadn’t really gotten him clean. There hadn’t been time, even if he was able for him to take a shower the previous morning. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“Okay.”
Kenzie backed into the hall, leaving the door open. It seemed odd that Tate offered such short sentences. She realized it had been many hours since his last pain pill and he was probably hurting.
She rushed to the kitchen, got him a cold glass of water and a banana, then returned to his room.
As she bustled into the bedroom, he tightly twisted the sheet in his right hand.
“Why didn’t you say you were hurting?” Kenzie asked, handing him the banana. He ate it in a few quick bites then took the glass of water and medication she held out to him. “I’m not very good at mind reading, so you’ll have to let me know what you need, Tate.”
“Thanks.” He reached out and grasped her hand in his, giving it a light squeeze. “I’m not very good at this being helpless stuff.”
Kenzie smiled and squeezed his hand in return.
“I guess we’ll have to learn together.” She walked over to the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Kenzie took a quick shower then hurried to dress. She left her hair to air dry, but took a minute to give her eyelashes a few swipes of mascara and apply sheer lip gloss.
Vanity made her roll her eyes in the mirror. Quickly, she made her bed then picked up her dirty clothes, carrying them to her little laundry area off the kitchen and tossing them into the hamper. Armed with garbage bags and a roll of duct tape, she returned to Tate’s room.
He looked irritated as he watched the news, clenching his jaw.
As she listened to a reporter talk about Tate’s accident, it didn’t take long to figure out why he was upset. “Although he seems to have gone missing after his accident, sources say he is expected to have a full recovery. It remains to be seen if this Washington State cowboy will make another run for the championship next year.”
“Tate, you don’t…” Kenzie started to say, but a cool glare cut her off.
A clip of Huck riding the bull the final night of the rodeo flashed across the screen. The reporter said something about Huck dedicating his winning ride to his wounded friend.
“Nobody told me Huck rode the extra time,” Tate said. Reproach colored his voice as he shut off the TV and dropped the remote on the bedside table.
“He did it for you.” Kenzie approached the bed. She wasn’t sure if Tate was mad at her for basically kidnapping him and stealing his phone, mad because of losing the championship, or mad at the world in general.
“He’s a good friend.” Tate turned his blue gaze to Kenzie. “It’s odd none of them have called.”
“They have. I talked to Cort and Huck last night.” Unable to pull her eyes away from Tate’s, she felt only marginally guilty for keeping his phone from him. “They’re both worried about you and Cort said to tell you he made it home just fine.”
“I see.” Aggravated Kenzie treated him like a misbehaving child, she had no right to take his phone even if she thought she had reason. “Do you think, perhaps, I can have my phone back today?”
“Of course.” Kenzie needed to say something, even if Tate wouldn’t like hearing it. “Look, Tate, I’m sorry I took your phone from you, but I really don’t think it’s in your best interest to go home alone. I realize you might not want to be here with me in light of what happened in the past. If you still insist on going home, I’ll take you to the ranch today right after your doctor’s appointment.”
“What appointment?” Tate searched through the fuzzy corners of his mind trying to remember a doctor appointment.
“The doctor in Vegas said you should see your family doctor in a day or two and your dad told me who to call. You’ve got an appointment later this morning,” Kenzie said, placing the garbage bags and tape on the nightstand by the bed. “If he says it’s fine for you to go home alone, I’ll make sure you go today. If he thinks you need to have someone look after you for a few days, then you’ll agree to stay here. Fair enough?”
“No.” Wincing in pain, he flipped back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “It’s not fair to you. No matter what happened between us, I would never expect you to be my personal nurse. It’s not right.”
“Just think of it as me helping out a friend I care about very much.” Kenzie studied the splint on his arm, saying more than she intended.
Intently staring at her, Tate absorbed her words. Although he’d rather hear her declarations of undying love, admitting she cared about him as a friend was a good start. Her actions the last few days also spoke volumes.
She wouldn’t give up her valuable time to just anyone and the fact that she’d gone out of her way to bring his dad to visit made it clear she cared about him more than she might be willing to admit.
“I think we can wrap the bags around your arm and tape it here.” She pointed to a spot above his elbow. “It should keep the water out.”
Without waiting for him to comment, she diverted her gaze from his muscled chest and stomach by focusing her attention on wrapping his arm. Once that was done, she pushed up the leg of his lounge pants and removed the comp
ression bandage from his knee.
“You’re on your own from there, cowboy,” Kenzie said with a cheeky grin, handing Tate his cane and watching him get to his feet. She walked ahead of him to the bathroom, flipped on the lights, laid out towels, and stepped back into the bedroom.
“Do you need anything else?” She asked as Tate shuffled into the bathroom.
“Nope.”
“If you do need anything, just shout.” Kenzie backed toward the hallway. “I’ll make some breakfast while you shower.”
Tate didn’t say a word as he closed the door.
Kenzie hurried to remake his bed with clean sheets. She put the others in the washing machine and turned it on.
As she made French toast and coffee, she worried about Tate. He seemed so unlike himself, even more so than yesterday.
Maybe she could bring Kent back for another visit after lunch, if Tate was still staying with her. She’d take him home if that was what he really wanted, but she didn’t think it was a good idea.
With one ear tuned down the hall, Kenzie listened for the shower to stop running. When it did, she heated maple syrup, poured steaming coffee into two mugs, put the toast on plates and loaded everything on a tray. She carried it to Tate’s room and pushed the door open with her foot.
He stood in front of his suitcase, clad only in his underwear, holding a pair of jeans in his hand.
“Oh!” Kenzie turned around as quickly as she could with the loaded tray and stepped into the hall. “Sorry about that.”
“No big deal.” The humor in his voice also showed on his face. He was glad she’d given him time to get his briefs on before she barged right in.
Tate dropped the jeans back in the suitcase, pulled out a pair of blue plaid lounge pants and limped over to the bed. He managed to tug them on with his one good hand before scooting back against the pillows.
“I’m decent. You can come back in,” he called, hiding his smile as Kenzie returned to the room. Her hair was still damp on the ends, curling in a thick mass around her shoulders and down her back. He swallowed hard, fighting the urge to bury his hands in the silky strands.
Her fresh, floral scent washed over him as she leaned over him to set down the tray. He had no idea what bath products she used, but he was sure the label had to say something about being guaranteed to drive men wild.
“I’m so sorry, Tate. I’ll knock next time.” Her cheeks stung from the heat of embarrassment. Things between them were uncomfortable enough without her barging in on him nearly naked.
“It’s fine.” Hungry, Tate looked at the coffee and golden brown French toast.
When Kenzie took his hand in hers and offered thanks, he was somewhat chagrined to hear his stomach growl loudly, declaring his hunger.
Able to cut the toast with his fork one-handed, he took pleasure in being able to do something for himself.
Kenzie pulled a chair close to the bed and chatted while they ate. When they finished, she took the tray to the kitchen and returned with ice packs. She placed one on his ribs, one on his arm, and the last one on his knee.
“I completely forgot to ice you yesterday,” she said, adjusting his leg so his knee rested on a few pillows before she settled the pack on it. “I’ll try to do a better job of playing nurse today.”
“You’re doing a good job,” Tate said, experiencing a mixture of gratitude and resentment. He was thankful for Kenzie’s attentive and gentle care, yet irritated and annoyed that he needed anyone to take care of him.
Accustomed to doing things for himself and lending a hand to others, he didn’t like being on the receiving end of assistance.
It rankled him.
Almost as much as losing the championship.
In all honesty, Tate felt cheated. He’d busted his tail the entire year, traveling the country, giving one hundred and ten percent, to lose it all at the very last second. Well, point-nine seconds if the video clip he’d seen on the news was accurate.
Determined not to quit until he won, Tate knew he’d do it all over again in the coming year. Just as soon as his arm healed, he could walk normally, and his ribs no longer ached. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d had to dig deep and forge ahead and he was sure it wouldn’t be the last.
He glanced at the woman who forced him into her care. She looked feminine and entirely too lovely for his drug-addled mind to handle. He hadn’t yet adjusted to seeing her in something other than business attire.
Her dark blue jeans, berry red sweater, and brown boots gave him the idea she was ready for some holiday fun. Given a choice, he liked seeing her best in her jeans and boots, looking like a country girl. Although he did dream about what she’d look like wearing something lacy and silky with a lot more skin exposed.
As his temperature climbed, he reined in his thoughts and brought them back to the day ahead.
“What time did you say we’re going to the doctor?” he asked, trying to remember if she mentioned a time earlier.
“At eleven,” she said, wondering what she could do to make Tate feel better. He looked miserable. She couldn’t help but think some of it was from his acute disappointment. “You can rest for a while or watch TV or I can find you a book to read. What sounds good to you?”
“Rest, I think.” Tate was already tired of sleeping and staying in bed. He was a man of action, not sitting still for long. How was it, then, that it was all he could do to keep his eyes open long enough to see Kenzie nod her head at him and smile?
As she settled the covers over him, he turned his head toward her hand where it brushed his cheek. “Thanks, Dewdrop,” he whispered before succumbing to his weariness.
The next time Tate awoke, the first thing he noticed was a huge bouquet on the dresser. Filled with red flowers and holiday greens, it was festive and cheerful, reminding Tate Christmas was just around the corner. The scent of the flowers carried a hint of the pine branches tucked artfully into the vase.
A tap at his door drew his attention away from the bouquet.
“Come in,” he said, grinning at the thought of Kenzie finding him in his unmentionables earlier.
“We’ve got about half an hour before we need to leave for your appointment.” Kenzie walked over to the bed. “I thought you might want to get dressed and comb your hair.”
“Yep.” Tate sat up, ignoring the pain the movement created in his ribs. They were tender and it was hard to miss the large bruise on his side when he got out of the shower earlier. “Who sent the flowers?”
“My boss.” Kenzie fished ice packs from beneath the covers where they slid while Tate slept. “He called this morning to see how you were doing and the next thing I know, the florist delivered these.”
“He didn’t need to do that. I’m already indebted to him for the upgrade on our plane seats.” Humbled by the man’s kindness, Tate was grateful Kenzie worked for someone who obviously valued people.
“Tom loves all things western, particularly rodeos. It was so nice of you to bring Cort and Huck to sign autographs. You definitely made an impression on him the other night.” Kenzie helped Tate move his knee off the pile of pillows on the bed.
“It wasn’t a big deal.” He waited for his head to stop spinning before he attempted to get to his feet.
“It was to him. If you wouldn’t mind having him visit your ranch sometime, I think he’d love to spend a day with a real cowboy.” Kenzie studied Tate. He seemed more talkative, although his face was still pale and he looked a little shaky.
“I wouldn’t mind at all. I’ll figure out a weekend, once the weather is nice, when I’ll be home and invite him to come.”
“He’d love it.” She held her hands at her sides as Tate used the cane to leverage himself off the bed. He was getting adept at it. “Why don’t you comb your hair and do whatever else you need to do, then I can help you put on your shirt and boots.”
“Okay.” On his way to the bathroom, he snagged a pair of jeans out of his suitcase. He refused to think about leaving the h
ouse in his lounge pants. It was bad enough he had to wear them in front of Kenzie, but he sure wasn’t going out in public wearing his pajamas.
Although it took some work on his part, Tate managed to get his jeans on, teeth brushed, and hair combed.
When he opened the bathroom door, Kenzie leaned over his bed, tucking in a blanket. He admired the view of her long legs and the way her jeans fit so perfectly.
She turned around at the sound of the bathroom door opening and her thoughts ran together in her head.
Tate stood in the doorway wearing his snug-fitting jeans. The sight of his bare torso and hair still damp from his efforts to comb it into submission made her mouth go dry and she swallowed hard.
“Shall we finish getting you dressed?” she asked brightly, trying to hide her flustered state as she walked over to his suitcase. Tate told her to grab the shirt on top of the pile, so she did, thinking the light green and black plaid western shirt looked quite festive.
Carefully helping him work his broken arm into the sleeve, she smoothed the fabric across his shoulders. A jolt of heat arced between them.
Kenzie fastened the snaps and assisted him with his sling then motioned for Tate to sit down on a chair. She put on his socks, followed by his boots, and looked up at him with a smile that made his heart thump rapidly.
He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Instead, he pecked her cheek and grinned. “I think I’ll skip the belt today and leave the shirt untucked.”
“Good plan.” She took his phone out of the back pocket of her jeans and handed it to him. He picked up his wallet from the bedside stand and stuffed it into his pocket then dug one-handed in his suitcase for his jacket. He hadn’t packed a warm coat, but the jacket was better than nothing at all. Kenzie helped him put it on then went out to start her car.
When she came back in, Tate slowly made his way toward the door.
“Are you going to decorate for Christmas?” Tate asked. The apartment didn’t have so much as a wreath or poinsettia anywhere in sight.
“Probably not.” Kenzie slipped on her coat and picked up her purse.
“Why?”
The Christmas Cowboy: (Sweet Western Holiday Romance) (Rodeo Romance Book 1) Page 16
