Before she came to the hospital yesterday, Lavinia had found some button-up shirts in her closet that she had put in Samantha’s room, knowing they’d be easier for her to wear as long as her shoulder was painful.
She opened Lavinia’s door before she went downstairs, but the older woman was still asleep. When Sam reached the kitchen, she discovered Rich sitting at the table eating. “Is there any extra?” she asked apologetically.
He stood. “Sure. I made enough for all of us. I was trying to decide if I should wake you.”
He fixed a plate for Samantha and brought it to the table. “You want milk, juice or coffee?”
Samantha chose milk. He set a glass down beside her plate and then resumed his own place. After several minutes of eating, Samantha said, “You’re a good cook, Rich.”
“Thanks. Mom raised us to take care of ourselves. I’m just not sure my skills would impress either you or Grandma.”
“I’m sure you’d manage, but you won’t have to. I’m doing better and Red and Mildred have promised to send over some food.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, ’cause Dad is taking Mom to Hawaii on Saturday.”
Sam’s head snapped up. “What?” They were both being unfailingly polite, but Rich was keeping his distance. She’d figured they could manage what little time they spent together, but news that they would be alone scrambled her insides.
“It’s a belated anniversary present. He’s already bought the tickets. I told Mom we’ll be okay.”
“Of course we will. How wonderful! Your father is a great man,” Samantha replied. She’d always thought Hawaii was the ultimate romantic place, one she’d never see.
“Nice of you to say that. It’s going to mean more work for you when you’re not in the best shape.”
“I’ll manage.” She wasn’t concerned about any extra work. Lavinia had given her a home. She’d do what needed to be done. And keep away from Rich.
Rich frowned. “Hey! Where’s the sling the doc said you should wear?”
“It’s hard to get on by myself. Besides, I don’t really need it.”
“You need it. You could pull your stitches loose. Where is it?”
“It’s in my room, but I can—” She stopped because he was no longer there. She could hear his steps on the stairs.
She stood and carried the dishes to the sink, using only her left hand. Then she got out a tray and fixed a plate for Lavinia. She had it ready to go when Rich returned to the kitchen.
“This tray is ready, if you can carry it up. Then we’ll let you get to your real job.” She smiled, appreciating his work this morning.
“First your sling. Come here.”
She couldn’t argue, but it made her anxious to get that close to him. Keeping her head down, she stood in front of him. He lifted the sling over her head, sliding the straps onto her shoulders before he gently placed her bruised and cut arm into the sling.
Samantha raised her head to thank him, to find her lips only inches from his. She pulled back even as he lowered his lips to hers. Shocked, she started to protest when the back door opened.
Janie stared at the two of them. “Everything okay?”
“Fine,” Samantha hurriedly said. “Rich was helping me get my sling on.”
“I’m glad to see he’s doing his best for you,” Janie said, grinning.
“He is. He got up early and prepared breakfast for all of us. I just fixed Lavinia’s tray.”
“Is she awake?” Janie asked.
“No, but I thought she shouldn’t miss meals.”
“You’re right. I’ll take the tray up. Rich, you can do your own job today. After I’m gone you may have to cut back, but today you get to be a cowboy, not a nurse-maid.”
Janie picked up the tray and hurried up the stairs.
Sam took several steps away from him. “Will you be in for lunch? Your mother will want to know.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“Don’t overdo it, today.”
“I don’t need a second mother,” he returned, glaring at her.
“And you don’t need a wife. I think we all get the picture, so don’t gripe at me.”
His cheeks flushed a bright red and he turned and strode out of the house.
Samantha sat down at the table and reached for the coffeepot. She needed another cup of coffee.
RICH KEPT HIS thoughts at bay until he’d saddled his favorite gelding and swung into the saddle. He could just get the cast into the stirrup, so he was careful not to take risks. He didn’t want any more injuries.
Once the horse was in motion, heading toward the north pasture, Rich let his mind go back to the kiss that didn’t happen. What was wrong with him?
He’d tried to establish a nonromantic relationship with Samantha. But every time he was alone with her, he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. This morning he’d been determined to show that he could be in the room with her and not—not attack her. Then he’d almost given in to temptation. Those “accidental kisses” had him hungering for more. But it didn’t have him wanting anything permanent.
He was an idiot! If he gave in to temptation, he would be marching down the aisle whether he wanted to or not. His father would see to it. So, he’d keep his distance. That was all it would take. And maybe he felt like dating some town girl just for fun, after all.
That’s what he’d do. And he wouldn’t think about Samantha. He picked up speed, hoping to outrun his thoughts.
When he headed for the house at the end of the day, without coming in for lunch, he was dead tired. But they’d come across a cow having delivery difficulties with an early calf. But they’d saved them both. So he’d had a successful day, but he was late.
At least he didn’t have to worry about getting in early. His mom was there to tend to Grandma and Sam. He’d grab something to eat and a hot shower and then hit his bed. He suspected he’d be asleep before he could pull up the cover.
One of his men offered to ride with him to the house so he could take Rich’s horse back to the barn and rub him down. Rich had been taught to tend to his own animals, but he thought even his dad would forgive him tonight.
“Thanks, Doyle. I owe you one,” he said as he slid from the saddle.
“No problem, boss. You overdid it today. But you sure were a help. Couldn’t have managed everything without you.” The cowboy nodded in the fading light and headed for Lavinia’s barn, leading Rich’s horse.
Rich limped across the porch into the house.
When he reached the kitchen, he discovered Samantha had set the table for two. As he came in, she pulled a small casserole dish from the oven awkwardly, barely using her right hand. The casserole tilted dangerously and he sprang forward.
“Don’t! It’s hot,” Sam muttered, shifting the dish away from him and sliding it onto the table.
“I thought you were going to drop it,” he exclaimed.
She gave him a brief smile before opening the fridge and bringing out a tossed salad.
Rich stood there, watching her, feeling useless and awkward.
“Sit down.”
“I need to wash up.” He spun around and hurried to the workroom nearby. By the time he got back to the kitchen, hot rolls were on the table, along with glasses of iced tea.
Sam gestured for him to sit down and joined him at the table. “Don’t forget to leave room for Red’s famous chocolate cake. He sent one over today.”
As he was filling his plate, Rich asked, “Where’s Mom? Is she eating with Grandma?”
The only answer he got was a shake of Sam’s head. She concentrated on her dinner.
“Sam? Where’s Mom?”
“She went home early. I told her we could manage and she hadn’t packed yet.”
“She went home early?” he asked, his appetite suddenly going away. What about Sam’s shoulder cream? Was his nightmare coming true? Would she expect him to rub her shoulder, her bare skin?
“Don’t worry. Everything’s taken c
are of. Your aunt Anna came by today and said Lavinia was doing very well. She’s coming back tomorrow to check on her again. Your family is so incredibly nice.”
“Yeah,” Rich agreed, still thinking about the rest of the evening. So much for going straight to bed.
When he’d finished his dinner, Samantha asked, “Do you want your cake now? Or shall I bring it in while you’re watching TV? Janie said one of your favorite shows comes on tonight.”
He couldn’t remember a television show that he watched frequently. Certainly not one that would take his mind off Samantha. “Uh, let’s do the dishes and then have cake.”
“You don’t have to do the dishes, Rich. You worked all day, without lunch.”
“Uh, I apologize for not making it in. But we had an early calf that demanded our attention.” He didn’t see any anger or pouting on her face for his failure to appear.
“Is it all right?” she asked, concern on her beautiful face. It amazed him how pretty she could look with no makeup, her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
He cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah, it’s fine.”
“Good,” she said with a smile and stood to clear the table.
He picked up his own dishes and followed her to the sink. He waited until she’d awkwardly rinsed her own and then stepped forward to rinse his.
“I’ll do that,” Sam protested.
“Look, Sam, I know you’d do it. I know you’re a hard worker. You don’t have to prove anything to me. So relax. We’ll work together.”
She stood still for a minute. Then she smiled at him, a warm smile that lit up her face. “Thank you, Rich.”
When he’d finished rinsing the other dishes, he said, “Sit down. I’ll cut the cake.”
While they ate the sinfully rich chocolate cake, Samantha asked questions about his day. He found himself describing the baby calf and its difficult introduction to life. Her laughter and interest eased the tiredness from his body.
They cleaned up the last dishes, leaving the kitchen as clean as Lavinia liked it.
Rich took a last look. “Nice job, partner.”
“Same to you,” she said with a smile. “I’m going to give Lavinia her pill and settle her in for the night.”
“I’ll come with you and tell her good-night.”
“I’m sure she’ll like that.”
When Rich opened the door to his grandmother’s room, she was already dozing, propped against two pillows, the television playing.
“Oh, dear. I hate to wake her but she has to have her pill,” Sam said.
“It’s okay. She’ll go right back to sleep. Grandma?”
Lavinia’s lashes fluttered. “Is that you, Rich?”
“Yes, ma’am, it is. Sorry I got in so late.”
“I ’spect you were busy. Your grandpa used to run late some nights.”
“I came to give you a good-night kiss.” He bent down and put his lips on her weathered skin and brushed back her hair from her face. “Are you behaving yourself so you’ll get well?”
“Yep. Janie and Sam don’t give me a choice.” But she wasn’t complaining. She sent a loving look at Samantha.
“Sam’s going to help you to bed, and I’ll get in early tomorrow, okay?”
“’Kay.” She smiled sweetly.
Rich walked to the door. “I’m going to grab a shower if that’s okay.”
“Of course.”
He started to say, “Come get me if you need me,” but that thought was a dangerous one. “I’ll hurry,” he said instead and scooted out of the room.
After his shower, which helped revive him slightly, he put on clean jeans, along with a clean T-shirt, and carried his dirty clothes to the laundry room.
He found Sam in the kitchen. He stood at the door and watched her take a pill. Which reminded him of the shoulder cream. “Are you going to be able to rub that cream into your shoulder?”
He could tell he’d startled her. “Oh— Yes, of course, I’ll manage.”
She was lying and they both knew it. “Are you taking a shower?”
She nodded, her eyes wide. Beautiful green eyes.
“When you’re out of the shower, wrap a big towel around you and call me. I’ll come rub it in.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He didn’t ask why. He knew the reasons even better than she. “I promised Mom I’d take care of you as well as Grandma. Everything will be fine. It won’t take but a minute.”
He’d make sure of that.
When he heard her softly call, as if she were hoping he wouldn’t hear her, he knocked on her bedroom door. He’d lectured himself the entire time he waited and he was prepared to touch her.
The first sight of her told him he was mistaken. Her slender shoulders, one black and blue, the other a creamy pink, were exposed over the bath towel she’d wrapped around herself. Her long dark hair was loose and forming an enticing curtain about her shoulders.
“Shall—shall I sit on the bed?” she asked, avoiding his gaze.
“No! No, it’ll be easier if you sit on the vanity bench.” Something the two of them couldn’t fit on at the same time.
She reached out to the vanity and handed him the tube. “Here’s the cream.”
“Okay.” He read the directions carefully, trying to delay touching her. Finally, he had no excuse to postpone the massage. He squirted the proper amount of cream into his hand and then gently touched her skin. In spite of the bruising, her skin was soft, warm, wonderful.
His hands slid over her shoulder, down her back and up again. He remained standing, which allowed him to stare down at the shadowy cleft where she’d tucked in the towel. His breathing sped up and he looked away, hoping she wouldn’t notice. He hurriedly covered the bruised area two more times, but he couldn’t hold his breath any longer.
“I hope that will do. I’m not very good with my hands,” he said, then turned bright red. The innuendo hadn’t been intended. He stepped back, his hands in the traditional surrender position. “Uh, is there anything else you need done before I go?”
“No, thank you,” she said.
He was pleased to notice that she sounded a little out of breath, too. He didn’t want to be the only one to suffer.
“I’m going right to bed as soon as you leave,” she said pointedly, staring at the door.
“Oh, oh yeah. I’m going to bed, too.”
“You don’t have to cook for us in the morning. I’ll wait until Lavinia awakens and cook then. But be sure to eat breakfast yourself.”
“Yeah, I will,” he promised, backing to the door, taking one more look at her. Then he bumped into the door and almost lost his footing.
“Are you all right, Rich?” Samantha asked. She jumped up and then grabbed her towel as it started a fast descent.
They stood there frozen in time, she protecting her modesty and he leaning against the door, praying the towel would fall away.
Then she said, “Good night.”
With that pointed phrase, he turned the doorknob and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind him. Then he bent to his knees, gulping air, wondering if he should shower again, this time with cold water.
Chapter Twelve
The next two weeks passed by more quickly than Rich could’ve imagined. He and Samantha worked out a routine that got the job done. She seemed to anticipate his needs and never complained if he didn’t make it in for dinner on time.
Rich tried to take the pressure off her, lending a hand every chance he could. The only problem they had was actual physical contact. He hadn’t had to rub her shoulder again. Sam got a female visitor to apply the cream before he returned in the evenings. At least she said she did.
They both realized the one time had been a close call. He still had dreams about the towel falling to the floor. In his dreams, they both ended up on the bed.
Unfortunately, at that point, he always woke up.
By the end of the two weeks, she was almost back to normal. In additi
on, Lavinia, though still taking a daily nap, showed no signs of pneumonia. She was happier than Rich had seen her in a long time. It seemed Sam spent part of her morning knitting under Lavinia’s supervision. And she’d stopped Red and Mildred from sending over food, except for Red’s chocolate cake. Instead, Sam cooked some of Lavinia’s favorite recipes.
Tomorrow his mom and dad would be home, and he would welcome them with no disasters at hand. He’d gotten used to riding with a cast. Each morning he’d put a plastic bag over his cast and taped it so it stayed dry.
“Boss?” one of his cowboys called, jerking him back to reality.
“Yeah?”
The man didn’t bother speaking. He nodded to the west. Black clouds topped the peaks in the distance, and appeared to be moving toward them quickly.
“Damn!” Rich muttered to himself. He’d forgotten to listen to the weather report this morning. He’d had his mind on Samantha. “Looks like a bad one,” he called to the cowboy. “Thanks.”
He took a minute to think about what he needed to do. He was two men short today. One had asked for the day off for personal reasons, and another had turned up sick. He had two big herds he needed to move closer to the house. One was in a southern pasture with a creek that tended to flood. The other was in a higher up pasture, more susceptible to lightning.
He rode over to Tom Jenkins, one of the ranch hands. “I’m going to go call next door and see if they’ve got any spare men. You take Larry with you and head for the south pasture. Tell Doyle and Bart to move the herd into the open pasture, then head for the north pasture.”
“Will do.”
He’d been impressed with the hands his grandmother employed. They took orders well and did their jobs efficiently. He hurried his horse toward the barn. He hadn’t even brought the cell phone with him today, things had gone so well.
Big mistake. He knew better. It was going to cost him an hour to go to the house and get back.
SAM HAD JUST put in a load of laundry and started the washer when lightning flashed outside the window. Startled, she looked out. She’d been busy this morning, making sure the house was spotless.
Randall Riches Page 12
