Heart of a Cowboy

by Kristin Vayden

  “You should have seen your face though,” Laken teased Jack. “You were so sure, and then your glower was impressive.”

  “Well, I knew he was going to ask, and I was ninety-nine-percent sure you’d say yes, but—aw hell, who can know the female mind? I’ve given up, so, there you have it.”

  “Nice to know you have so much faith in me,” Laken replied, taking his blood pressure.

  “Or me,” Cyler added.

  “Well, it all worked out. Can I see the ring up close?” Jack asked, and Laken held out her hand. Jack’s fingers were cold as he gently grasped her hand and tilted it to get a better look.

  “Yup. It’s a beauty. Cost me a pretty penny too.” Jack released his grip.

  Cyler glanced heavenward. “Thanks, Dad.” He turned to Laken. “For the record, I did have it reworked. Damn, I sound cheap.” Cyler swore.

  Laken laughed, her body shaking with the joy. “No, you sound like you wanted to give me something that money can’t buy. Hope…redemption…life.” Laken gave a warm gaze to Cyler, who met it with one of his own.

  “She’s a smart one,” Jack agreed.

  “Finally, you admit it,” Laken teased, but her attention was stolen by the reading of the blood-pressure monitor. “Okay, I don’t like this. Jack, how do you feel?” she asked, taking his pulse.

  “No worse than usual, but I will say my heart is pounding a bit hard. But honestly, honey, I think it’s just because I’m kinda worked up. I wanted this for you guys. I’m just happy.”

  Laken nodded but cut a look to Cyler. That might be the reason, but it didn’t ring true to her training. “I’m going to see if we can regulate it a bit. It’s a little low.”

  Then Jack’s phone rang, and Cyler grabbed it, glancing to the screen, and left the room. Laken heard him answer just before hearing the door shut behind him.

  “Probably Bo. I called him to double-check stuff with Breelee sniffing about. He’s just calling back to confirm my affairs. He’s a good man, for a lawyer, that is.” Jack grinned.

  Laken answered with a smile but took his blood pressure again.

  As the cuff released, the numbers read just as low.

  “Jack, you’re going to have to lie back and rest. I’m going to give you some meds that will help your blood pressure, and you’ll probably want to go back to sleep. First, let’s lift your feet a bit.”

  Jack sighed and reluctantly sat back against the pillows, closing his eyes.

  “I’ll be right back with a cup of water.” Laken darted down the hall and soon returned from the kitchen with a cool glass of water. She held out the two little pills to Jack and helped him sit up to take them. After draining his glass, he leaned back again, closing his eyes once more.

  “Stop hovering. If you want me to relax, you gotta git, okay?” Jack commented, opening one eye.

  Laken grinned, patting him on the hand before she left the room.

  “Thanks.” Jack’s voice followed her.

  But something wasn’t sitting right. Something was wrong, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. It gnawed at her as she walked to the kitchen. Reviewing his vitals, she mentally went through each scenario, each diagnosis. But nothing made sense. It was true that sometimes the body didn’t have a rhyme or reason for doing things, but that wasn’t exactly an answer. It just brought a different question.

  Laken glanced at the clock. She’d give him fifteen minutes to fall asleep, then she’d check on him again. It was a good thing she’d had a nap that morning. She had a feeling it would be a long day, and a longer night.

  For all of them.

  Chapter 21

  “So, we’re good?” Cyler asked, holding his breath as he waited for the lawyer’s answer.

  “Yeah. She tried to push her weight around. Luckily, she’s a bitty thing. Didn’t do much for her cause,” Bo answered.

  Cyler sighed in relief. “What exactly was she trying to pull?” he asked, glancing to the door, and then taking a seat on the cement step.

  “The usual. Emotional distress, emotional entanglement, prior engagement. None of it would hold water in court. But she had to try. They always do, you know. Just make sure you tell Jack that we’re watertight. He was pretty upset, regardless of how I tried to tell him I’d done my job well.”

  Cyler chuckled. “Micromanaging. He’s great at it.”

  “Tell me about it,” Bo admitted.

  “I’ll let him know. Thanks for confirming. I’ll be keeping my eye out over here. I don’t think she’ll give up easily—”

  “They never do,” Bo interrupted, sighing.

  “I’ll keep you in the loop,” Cyler affirmed then ended the call.

  Wiping a hand down his face, he tried to anticipate any moves Breelee would attempt. It was damn hard for him to wrap his head around crazy, but he tried regardless. His phone rang again, and he glanced to the Caller ID. It wasn’t a number he recognized, but it was local, so he answered. “CC Homes.”

  “Hello, is this Mr. Cyler Myer?” a professional-sounding woman asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Hello, Mr. Myer. I’m Elaine Morrison from HCEW, the company that your father established as his primary care during this transition time.” She sounded kind, but there was an edge to her tone that had him narrowing his eyes, listening harder.

  “Yes, I’m aware. You’ve been exceptional,” he complimented, thinking of Laken’s care.

  “That’s quite a relief to hear, Mr. Myer. We received a complaint about Nurse Garlington’s care of your father, and while we’ve never received anything but commendations for her, we need to explore and investigate each complaint. Do you have any concerns about your father’s care under Nurse Garlington?” the woman asked.

  Cyler clenched his jaw, his mind already sure where the accusation had come from, but he took a deep breath to answer the woman. “Nurse Garlington is quite possibly the most exemplary example of palliative care I’ve ever heard of. Granted, my experience is limited, but to say I’m impressed is a gross understatement. If you wish to confirm, I’ll be happy to ask my father. However, he might be slightly peeved you even were checking. He’s grown pretty attached to her.” Cyler softened his tone so that the woman would know he wasn’t offended, simply amused.

  The woman chuckled. “That’s the response we’re used to having concerning Laken—Nurse Garlington. I’m thankful you’re pleased with the care you’ve received from her as our company’s representative.”

  “I do have one question,” Cyler said.

  “Of course.”

  “Seeing as the only family present is myself, and I sure didn’t file a complaint, it’s quite concerning to me that someone felt the need to interrupt our affairs at this difficult time by filing a grievance.” Cyler waited for his suspicions to be confirmed.

  “We took the complaint from an anonymous person. They simply expressed—”

  “Was it a woman? You see, there’s someone that we’re currently watching because she is a potential threat to our family.” He paused, knowing he’d stretched it slightly, but Breelee truly was unpredictable at best. If she was up to something, he wanted to know.

  “If you give me her name, I’ll put that in the file. Unfortunately, I can’t confirm anything since I didn’t take the call,” the woman said. “But we are sincerely sorry that someone would try to disrupt your family in this difficult time. I can assure you that we’ll make a note that, unless we receive a complaint from your immediate family or a medical professional, we will disregard it.”

  Cyler nodded. “I appreciate it.”

  “Do you have any other questions?” the woman asked, wrapping up the conversation.

  “Nope. Thanks.” Cyler ended the call and huffed a sigh. Well, he was all but certain it was Breelee. Damn woman.

  “You doing alright?” Laken asked shortly after th
e screen door squeaked, signaling its opening.

  “Yup. Bo says everything in Jack’s will is watertight. Breelee did try but didn’t get anywhere, thank the good Lord.” He shook his head. “Then I’m pretty sure she called your company to file a complain—”

  “What?” Laken gasped, her face turning pale.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I set the record straight and told them just how grateful we are for you, and how you’ve done nothing but given the most exceptional care to Jack. They believed it, because it’s the truth.” Cyler shrugged, patting the cement step beside him.

  Laken sat, her shoulders tight with tension. “Why would she do that?”

  “Jealousy, anger, desperation, take your pick. You can’t quantify crazy.” Cyler tugged on a loose strand of hair from Laken’s messy ponytail.

  “Thanks for setting the record straight. But I-I do have some guilt about…this.” Laken pointed between the two of them.

  “You’re my fiancée.” Cyler picked up her left hand and kissed it. “Family takes care of family. I learned that from you.”

  “Family. I can get used to that idea.” She smiled softly, glancing down to her lap. “Cyler, Jack’s blood pressure is concerning. I don’t know exactly what to make of it, but he’s resting now. What I’m trying to say is, if there’s anything else you need to say to him, don’t procrastinate. When someone has cancer, people always assume that they die from it, but really, the cancer makes your body so weak that sometimes it’s not what kills you at all. And my gut is that we’re on borrowed time.” She met his gaze with a compassionate one of her own.

  Cyler closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, then opened them, regarding her. “Thanks. I’ve said what needs to be said, but I’ll plan on irritating him once he wakes up from his nap. It will be good for him,” he added lightly.

  “Good. Give him a taste of his own medicine.” Laken stood up and dusted off the back of her jeans. “I happen to have some amazing news, and so I’m going to call Kessed and email Sterling. He’s going to probably interrogate you from across the world, but at least he can’t shoot you from that far. You’ll have time to grow on him before he gets a chance to take aim,” Laken teased.

  “Good to know.” Cyler arched a brow, chucking. “Give him my number so he can call. I’ll do my best to get on his good side before he has a chance to maim me.”

  “Good thinking,” Laken teased, walking into the house.

  Cyler laughed when he heard Laken’s squeal of delight from inside the house as she laughed. He assumed she was speaking with Kessed. It was a great moment, to hear just how thrilled she was to marry him, to take his name, make a new family. While he knew she loved him, was thrilled, it was like a cherry on top of the sundae to hear her express it when in a private moment with her best friend.

  Gravel crunched, and Cyler walked around the house to see up the driveway. Who he saw made his blood chill then burn hot. The nerve.

  His back flexed as he clenched his fists, heading toward the driveway, meaning to cut Breelee off before she even made it to the circular part.

  As she saw him, she slowed down her BMW till it came to a full stop just feet in front of him.

  Cyler crossed his arms and waited.

  Breelee threw the car into park and stepped out. “Well, fancy seeing you here again. I thought you’d be gone by now,” she remarked, narrowing her gaze.

  “I live here—unlike you—which means this is trespassing.” He pulled out his phone and started dialing the police.

  “Wait. Damn, you’re so uptight.” She sighed impatiently. “Can’t we just talk?” She tilted her head.

  “No.”

  The police dispatch answered.

  “Hello, I’m Cyler Myer. I have a woman trespassing on my property who’s threatening my ill father.” He arched a brow, watching as her color rose. After giving the dispatch his address, he ended the call and glared at her.

  “You didn’t have to do that.” Breelee clenched her jaw.

  “You didn’t have to call in and complain about Laken’s care,” he shot back, watching carefully for confirmation.

  “You didn’t have to be such a pain in the ass and kick me out. Maybe I just want to say goodbye. Ever think of that?” She threw her hands in the air.

  “Goodbye.” He nodded once.

  “To Jack, you idiot.”

  “He doesn’t want to talk with you. At this point, what you want is to one, get your way, or two, alleviate some guilt by making a poor old man remember a part of his life he’d rather forget. Either way, you’re being a selfish bitch, and we’ve asked you to leave. You keep coming back. You attack my fiancée and her job, and you wonder why I’ve called the police?”

  “Fiancée?” Breelee narrowed her gaze.

  “Yes. So, unless you want to wear those handcuffs as a fashion statement, I suggest you get off my property.” Cyler took a step toward her. “Now.”

  “You know, I knew one day you’d find her. That certain woman who made you be…whatever this is.” She waved her hand. “But for the record, I’m sorry that it wasn’t me.”

  Cyler searched her gaze for some sort of duplicity but found none.

  “History doesn’t always repeat itself,” he answered, remembering his earlier conversation with Laken.

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  The sound of sirens drifted from far off and Breelee looked back toward the road.

  “Fine. You win. Say goodbye to Jack for me.” She opened her car door.

  “You’re welcome to attend the funeral if you keep your distance.” He spoke before he’d thought it through, but he remembered the way Jack had been banned from his mother’s funeral, and no one should have to say goodbye from a distance. Even Breelee.

  She paused, regarding him. “Thank you. But I’ll be out of town by then.” She gave a slight nod, slid into her car, and closed the door. Soon she was kicking up dust as she drove away.

  Cyler felt relief wash over him like a rainstorm in the desert, his body soaking it up. He didn’t trust her, but he didn’t suspect she’d do anything else either. So, he turned and walked back to the house, grinning as he heard Laken’s giggle once he’d opened the door.

  “I know! It was amazing, Kessed. Wait. It’s Sterling! I need to go! I’ll call you back.”

  Cyler leaned against the doorjamb, watching as she fumbled with her phone and then answered.

  “Sterling?” She grinned widely, squeezing the phone as if giving it the hug she wished she could give her brother. “That was fast! Did you see my email?” She bit her lip, listening, and as she turned, she caught sight of Cyler. Smiling, she walked over and took his hand.

  “Yeah, it’s true. But I’m kinda offended you think I’d joke about something like this,” she teased then listened. “Actually, he’s right here.” She glanced to Cyler, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Fine, but be nice. He’s going to be your brother, after all.” With a shrug, she handed the phone over.

  Cyler took it and gave her a wink. “Hello, Sterling.”

  “Okay, so I don’t have time to play nice, so just answer the damn questions alright?” Sterling’s tone didn’t leave any room for argument, and Cyler suspected he was used to having his orders obeyed without question.

  “What do you need to know?

  “Do you love her?”

  “Yes. More than I could tell you over the phone. It wouldn’t do it justice.”

  “Good answer. If you’re blowing smoke up my ass, if she’s knocked up, or if you leave her for any reason whatsoever other than your sorry ass is killed, I’ll cut you. We clear?”

  “Clear.” Cyler swallowed, half amused, half honestly concerned.

  “And I say cut, because shooting you would be too easy of a death. I saw what happened to my mom before my dad took his head out of his ass and won her back. I won’t see
my sister do the same thing. You hurt her, and they will not find the body. Get it?” Sterling finished, the line crackling with silence.

  Cyler shook his head, a small grin tickling his lips. “Sterling, if I do any of those things, I give you my full permission to end my sorry life.”

  Laken’s eyes widened, and she reached for the phone.

  Cyler pulled back, listening for Sterling’s response.

  “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  “Since we’re clear, welcome to the family. May God have mercy on your soul.”

  Cyler barked a laugh. “Yeah, well, I’m happy to be here. And I look forward to meeting you someday.”

  “You better hope you grow on me a bit more before we shake hands,” Sterling taunted, his tone amused.

  “I’ll do my best,” Cyler replied, shaking his head. “Your little sister is in a panic. Can you her tell that everything’s alright?” Cyler asked.

  “Yeah, she’s a nervous one. Probably chew my ass off for threatening you, but—”

  “You’re a good brother. I’ll remind her when she complains.”

  “You’re growing on me already.” Sterling chuckled, and Cyler handed over the phone.

  “What part of be nice do you not understand, Sterling?” Laken asked, arching a brow.

  Cyler gave them a bit of privacy as he walked down the hall toward Jack’s room. After a soft knock, he opened the door. Jack was sound asleep, his breathing shallow. He shifted in his sleep then slowly blinked awake.

  “Hey,” Jack said softly.

  “Lazy ass,” Cyler teased as he sat on the bed, giving a quick grin to Jack.

  Jack rolled his eyes. “Never been lazy a day in my life. That’s why Bo has to fight Breelee off with a stick.”

  “About that. I spoke with Bo and Breelee. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  Jack narrowed his eyes. “You sure about that?”

  Cyler nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Good.” Jack sighed, closing his eyes.

  “Going back to sleep on me?” Cyler baited, but he silently took in the pallor of Jack’s skin and the way his breathing continued to be shallow.