The Cowboy's Summer Love

by The Cowboy's Summer Love (mobi)

  “Sure,” Tess said, reaching for a loaf of crusty bread and slicing it. “Since it’s so hot out today, I thought a nice salad with bread and some no-bake cookies sounded good. If I had time, I could have made some ice cream.”

  “Thank you for stepping in and helping. This looks like a great lunch to me. Maybe we can make ice cream for dessert tonight or tomorrow,” Cady said, stepping outside to the grill Tess preheated.

  Tess was setting the table when Cass came bounding into the kitchen, holding her storybook.

  “Hi, Tess. Uncle Travis readed to me and we tooked a nap and it was nice. He said he’d make everything all better with Daddy and Uncle Trent so I could wear my pretty dress and Aunt Lindsay can be the princess.”

  “He did?” Tess said, bending down and rubbing Cass’ nose with hers, making the little girl giggle. “I’m glad you had a good time with him. Why don’t you go put your book away and get washed up for lunch?”

  “Okay,” Cass said, running down the hall toward her bedroom.

  Tess didn’t think the child knew how to walk. She ran, jumped, skipped, hopped or pranced, but walk did not seem to be among her many speeds.

  Smiling over the little red-head’s antics, Tess went to check on Travis and found him wide awake, staring out the window.

  “Hey, from what I hear you are once again the hero of the day,” Tess said, lightly brushing her hand across Travis’ forehead. He caught her fingers and kissed her palm, making tingles race up her arm.

  “I think you’ve been misinformed,” he said, pulling on her arm until she sat down beside him. “I’m the reason everyone is all upset. If I could leave, I’d walk out that door and not come back. I think life around here without me in it was better for everybody.”

  “Don’t ever think that, Tee,” Tess said, grasping his hand in hers and looking into his troubled eyes. “Everyone loves you, loves having you home again. You and your brothers are like a triangle and with one of you gone, the whole thing is lopsided and out of balance.”

  “Because of me everyone is mad, upset and doing and saying things they normally wouldn’t. You’re stuck here playing babysitter to me and I can’t even get myself a clean shirt,” Travis said in a voice filled with frustration as his thoughts all tumbled out.

  Tess laughed and pulled a clean T-shirt from a dresser drawer. Handing it to him, she watched him tug it on. She preferred seeing him without one, although it made it hard for her to concentrate on anything but his well-defined chest, abs and arms.

  “Feeling a little sorry for yourself, are you? You do know the world hasn’t stopped spinning just because you aren’t out there rocking it on its axis.”

  Travis glared at her.

  “This isn’t like you, Trav. You know there are consequences for your actions, for your choices. Maybe it’s time for you to start making some different ones. Better ones.”

  Expecting Travis to shut her out at her honest statement, Tess was surprised when he let out a sigh and started rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

  “I know, Tess. I know I need to change. I know I need some help, but it’s going to take some time.”

  “Seems to me you’ve got all the time in the world right now,” Tess said with a gentle smile that went right to Travis’ heart. He was amazed his surly behavior and out of control flashbacks hadn’t chased her off completely. “Not only that, but you’ve got a lot of people willing to help you.”

  “I know,” Travis said, realizing the truth in what she said. When he remained silent, Tess got up and grinned.

  “Well, since Trey had Cady all in a fuddle this morning, I made lunch. Want to give it a try?”

  “Do I have a choice?” Travis asked, keeping a stoic expression on his face.

  “Not really. I’ll be back in a minute,” Tess said. She realized it had been hours since Travis had ice on his legs and they needed to start the heat treatments as well. Running out to her car to get the heat packs, she looked up from her trunk when a familiar car came up the driveway and stopped. She nearly dropped the packs when Rick stepped out and waved.

  Walking over to him, she took his hand and smiled.

  “Rick, what are you doing out here and how on earth did you find the Triple T?” Tess said with a welcoming grin.

  “I came to see how your impatient patient is doing. I stopped at that quaint little diner in town and the friendly lady there gave me detailed directions. Your friend Cady is her niece?”

  “Yes, that’s right. Viv is Cady’s aunt and the reason she wound up here in Grass Valley,” Tess said, looping an arm through Rick’s. “Come on in, we were just getting ready to have lunch. The guys should be in soon and you can visit with Travis before we eat.”

  “Wonderful,” Rick said, holding the mudroom and kitchen doors for Tess.

  “Cady, look who came to see Travis,” Tess said, feeling like she was being too bubbly. She didn’t know why, but for some reason, having Rick here was making her extremely nervous.

  “Rick, how nice to see you,” Cady said, shaking his hand. “Can I get you a glass of tea, lemonade, or a soda?”

  “I’m fine for the moment, but a glass of tea sounds wonderful after I visit the patient,” Rick said graciously.

  “And you’ll stay for lunch won’t you? Tess took over cooking duties so I know it will be good,” Cady said with a smile.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Rick said, following Tess down the hall and around the corner into the south wing of the house. He knew from Tess’ brief description the other night that the house was large. He’d never expected anything quiet so massive and impressive. It was a beautiful home, tastefully decorated. The feeling he got walking in the doors was one of warmth and welcome. No wonder Tess liked it here, loved this family so much.

  Tess knocked on a half-opened door and stuck her head inside.

  “You’ve got company,” she said, and led Rick into Travis’ room. Travis looked up at the doctor in surprise, but recovered with a genuine smile.

  “Hey,” Travis held out his hand and Rick stepped forward to accept it. “You didn’t have to drive two hours to make a house call.”

  “I know, but I really wanted to see how you were doing,” Rick said, looking at Travis’ legs propped up on a pile of pillows. “Mind rolling over so I can take a look?”

  “Sure,” Travis said, rolling onto his stomach and enduring Rick’s examination.

  “Are you doing hot treatments yet?” Rick asked Tess. She held up the heat packs she still carried in her hand.

  “I was just getting ready to start when you drove up. It’s been a crazy morning, but we’ll get back on schedule for this afternoon,” Tess said, looking at Travis’ bruising. She thought he was doing pretty well, considering how far off his treatment schedule they’d been in the last twelve hours.

  “I think you’re coming along just fine,” Rick said to Travis. “Your legs don’t feel too hot and the swelling is much better than I expected. All in all, I think you’ll be on your feet in no time.”

  “That’s good news,” Travis said, exhaling the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “When do you think I can get up and walk on crutches?”

  “I’d say you can try in another four or so days. And you can only do that if the pain allows. Don’t push yourself through the pain because you’ll do more damage than good.”

  “Got it,” Travis said, looking over his shoulder at Rick. “I really do appreciate you coming out today and for what you did the other day. Trent told me about the other doctor wanting to do surgery. You’re a lifesaver and I owe you big time for that.”

  “That doctor was in way over his head,” Rick said, looking perturbed. “He should never have made that diagnosis, but he’s young and has a lot to learn.”

  “I’m really glad you were there to save the day,” Travis said with sincere gratitude. If some quack had sliced him open, he could only imagine how much worse things would be than they currently were. “I hope the girls talked you in t
o staying for lunch. Tess has promised that it will be a spectacular feast.”

  “I never said any such thing,” Tess said, giving Travis a narrowed gaze. “Just for that, I’ll bring you a peanut butter sandwich.”

  “Do you hear that, doc? She’d going to try and starve me to death. That can’t be good for a man trying to heal from his wounds, can it?” Travis said with a pleading look on his face.

  “Certainly not,” Rick said with a laugh. Taking Tess’ hand, he turned toward the door, pulling her along behind him. “Let’s get Travis set up with hot packs before we eat.”

  Returning with the warmed packs, Rick put them on his legs. Travis wasn’t sure what felt worse, the intense heat or the intense cold of the ice. Both were mighty uncomfortable.

  “Not the most pleasant sensation, is it?” Rick asked as he adjusted the elastic bands on Travis’ legs.

  “Not particularly,” Travis said, trying not to grind his teeth. “But I’ve had worse.”

  “I’m sure you have,” Rick said, studying Travis. “I meant what I said the other night. I really do appreciate your service for our country. My best friend was killed in Kuwait a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry, Rick. Truly sorry,” Travis looked over his shoulder, realizing there was more to the doctor than he first thought.

  “Thanks.”

  Rick went back into the kitchen where Cass was clinging to Cady, rambling on about how Uncle Travis was going to fix everything while Tess went outside to ring the triangle.

  Within a few minutes, Trent and Trey both came in the back door. From the solemn looks on their faces, Cady and Tess decided the two men hadn’t gotten over their temper tantrums yet.

  Trey avoided making eye contact with Trent or Cady, but greeted Rick warmly. He was still mad at one and afraid of the repercussions the other was sure to dole out to him for his high-handed behavior.

  Tess took Travis his lunch before coming back to the table and sitting beside Rick. Conversation went smoothly and they were half-way through the meal when Lindsay came breezing in the door with a happy smile. Tess introduced Rick and Lindsay offered him a word of thanks for taking good care of Travis.

  Not aware of the morning’s events, Lindsay sat by Trent, kissed his cheek, and talked about all the wedding details she could cross off her list after a productive morning of running errands.

  Tess shot Cady a look and Cady just shook her head.

  Finishing their lunch, Trent, Rick and Tess went to see Travis. He visited with Rick in a friendlier manner than Tess anticipated. She sat on the edge of the bed, listening to them talk and appreciating the way Travis asked Rick questions that got him engaged in the conversation. Trent threw in a few comments here and there.

  Looking at his watch, Rick stood and shook Travis’ hand again.

  “Just follow orders and you’ll be running laps around everyone again,” Rick said with a smile as he stood in the bedroom door.

  “Thanks again for coming out, Rick. I really appreciate it. Anytime you want to come for a visit, we’d welcome you,” Travis said, surprising both Tess and Trent.

  “Thanks. I might take you up on that sometime,” Rick said with a wave. Tess walked him out to his car and thanked him for driving all the way out to check on Travis.

  “It wasn’t just Travis I came to see,” Rick said, putting a hand on Tess’ cheek and looking into her eyes. He seemed to find what he was looking for and dropped his hand with a resigned sigh. “I came to see you with Travis. He’s a good man, Tess, and I think once he heals up physically and emotionally, you two will be very happy together.”

  Tess’ head snapped up and she looked at Rick, perplexed by his statement.

  “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the two of you love each other. I wondered about it the few times I’ve seen you together, but seeing you today confirmed what I think I knew all along,” Rick said, holding Tess hand.

  “Rick, I’m sorry. I just… Travis is… it’s complicated,” she finally said on a sigh.

  “I don’t think it’s nearly as complicated as you two are making it. Help him heal and then enjoy your happily ever after. You deserve it,” Rick said, kissing her hand before getting in his car.

  “You’re one of the finest men I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. I hope you find someone who can love you the way you deserve to be loved,” Tess said, leaning in the door and kissing Rick’s cheek. “I know how cliché this sounds, but I really do hope we can be friends.”

  Rick laughed. “As trite as it sounds, I would like that. I think Travis and I could be friends if we weren’t both in love with the same girl. Give me some time to get over my broken heart and then maybe we can get together.”

  Tess smiled and waved as he headed down the drive. If even Rick could see she was in love with Travis, she supposed it was time to finally surrender to the inevitable. She’d ignored it, fought it, despised it, and now was ready to accept that Travis was the only man her heart was ever going to let her love.

  Going back into the house, Cady and Lindsay were working in the kitchen on dinner preparations and also trying to get some food ready in advance for Cass’ birthday party Monday.

  Tess snagged two ice packs from the freezer and took them to Travis. She wasn’t sure when Trent or Trey escaped, but they were nowhere to be seen. By the irritated look on her face, Trey obviously hadn’t made up with Cady yet either.

  Stepping into his room, Tess noted Travis was still lying on his stomach with his eyes closed. She hated to bother him if he was asleep, but he needed the ice treatment, so she put them on his legs and secured them with the elastic bands as carefully and quietly as she could. She was just turning to go when Travis reached out a hand to her.

  “Hey, honeybee,” he said, his voice deep with sleep as he opened both eyes and smiled at her.

  “Hey, yourself,” she said, sitting down in the comfy chair by the bed, holding his hand. “I’m sorry I woke you, but we’re way behind on the treatments today.”

  “I know,” Travis said, shifting the pillow beneath him so it propped his head a little. “I wanted to talk to you without everyone around anyway.”

  “About what?” Tess asked, wondering what was on Travis’ mind.

  “To start with, the lunch you made was really good. I especially liked the cookies. Did you put the coconut in them just for me?”

  “Maybe,” Tess said with a knowing smile. Travis and Trey both loved anything with coconut. She was surprised there were any cookies left after Trey discovered they had coconut.

  “I didn’t realize you were so domestic,” Travis grinned.

  “You know I can cook when I want to. After all, you and BB served as taste-tester all through my home-ec classes,” Tess lifted an eyebrow at him, sensing he was stalling. “I don’t think you wanted me to stay to discuss my recipe for fudgie wudgies. Anything else you wanted to talk about?”

  “You and Rick.”

  When Tess started to say something, he shook his head and rushed on.

  “He’s a really great guy, Tess. You couldn’t do any better than him. I’m sorry I’ve not been very receptive to Rick dating you. I won’t tease you any more or try to come between the two of you. He’s exactly the type of person you should be interested in.”

  Tess stared at him for a moment before getting up from the chair and walking over to stand at the window. She could see Trent working at the shop with the big double doors open while Cass ran around chasing their dog Buddy.

  “You’re right. Rick is one of the finest, nicest people you could hope to meet. He’s a good friend, a caring man, and I’d be completely stupid to let someone like him get away. He is exactly the type of person I should be interested in, but I’m not. I won’t be seeing Rick again, at least not on a date.”

  Tess waited a minute for her words to sink in before turning around and going back to the chair by the bed. Travis stared at her as she sat down.

  “But Tess, you just said he was right for y
ou. Why wouldn’t you see him again?” Travis asked, dumbfounded by Tess’ matter-of-fact announcement.

  “Because he pointed out that I was in love with someone else.”

  Travis raised his head off the bed and a flash of anger shot across his face. He might have resigned himself to losing Tess to a nice guy like Rick, but he wasn’t okay with anyone else having her.

  Spending the last few hours telling himself he could live without Tess, he planned to pack up and leave once he could walk again. He knew he’d never marry anyone because his heart would forever belong to the woman sitting next to him with her big brown eyes melting into his.

  “Who, Tess? Who else have you been seeing? Who?”

  “You sound like an owl,” Tess said with a smile starting in her heart and working its way up to her lips before dancing in her eyes. “I haven’t been seeing anyone except for a daredevil cowboy hero who can’t seem to stay out of trouble, you idiot.”

  “But who …” Travis started to ask then realized what Tess was saying. “You mean you’re… are you sure, honeybee? You sure you want to say it? If you do, there’s no going back.”

  “I’m sure,” Tess said, taking Travis’ hand in both hers. “I love you, Travis Thompson. I have as long as I can remember. No matter how hard I tried not to, I can’t seem to stop myself.”

  “I love you,” Travis said, moving his hand to wipe the tears that fell on her cheek. “I’ve always loved you. There’s never been anyone except you.”

  Tess touched her lips to his in a warm kiss. There was nothing else in the world at that moment except the two of them finally admitting what their hearts had always known.

  Rolling over, Travis tugged Tess onto the bed with him, cuddling her to his chest as he kissed her repeatedly.

  “Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you tell me years ago?” Tess asked, still in shock that Travis said he loved her, had always loved her.