“Of course, he doesn’t. I’m here because I wanted to check up on you. Didn’t feel right just leaving you here. I know Bear would have been here himself but…”
“But what?”
“He thinks he’s not good enough for you.”
“What?” She gaped at him. “Not good enough for me? Why would he think that?”
“Can I come inside? Got a story to tell you and I’d rather we were inside in the warmth.”
“Oh, ahh, sure, come in.” Any nervousness she felt around him died when he said he had something to tell her about Bear.
He followed her inside as she moved back towards the kitchen. “Want some hot chocolate?”
“Got marshmallows?”
“Well, you brought my groceries, so you know I do.” She gave him a chiding look. That’s what he’d gone away to do for an hour while she and Bear had been unpacking. “I’m still going to pay you back.”
“You try and you’ll be in big trouble,” he warned. “They were a housewarming gift.”
God, he was so stubborn.
“Thank you for doing that.”
He waved off her gratitude, looking uncomfortable.
She sighed. He was impossible. Arrogant. Infuriating. And given to generous acts of kindness that obviously made him uncomfortable.
Clint just watched as she made them both a hot drink. They sat across from each other at the small table in the kitchen.
“Why does Bear think he’s not good enough for me? Bear’s the best person I know.”
He nodded. “He is. And I’m glad you see that. He’s honest. Smart. A hard worker. Loyal. He’d make a good daddy.”
She blushed. “I don’t want to talk about that.”
He gave her a knowing look. “But he’s got one flaw. He has a bit of a self-esteem issue when it comes to women. See, there was this woman a while back. Her name was Maria. He met her in a bar. He doesn’t go out much, but she was gorgeous and pretended to be sweet and submissive.”
“What happened to her?”
“They started dating. She lived in Wishingbone, and she kept pressing him to take her to the ranch. So, a few weeks into the relationship he took her out there.”
“And?”
“And turns out the only reason she sank her hooks into Bear was to get to me. She was all over me as soon as she got through those gates.”
“Oh no, poor Bear. Why would she want you over him?”
“Ouch.” He rubbed his chest. “That was a direct blow.”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean…it’s just…” She blushed, feeling awful.
He winked at her. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s a good thing that you like him. It’s what he needs. Someone who thinks the sun rises and falls on him. Someone who will be loyal to him. Maria really did a number on his ability to trust. You’re the first woman he’s shown any interest in in a long time. So, you can understand why I feel protective of him. I don’t want him hurt again.”
“I bet he really appreciates that,” she said dryly.
“Funnily enough, he doesn’t. No one on the ranch appreciates what I do for them.”
She rolled her eyes. “You poor baby. So now you’re here to decide if I’m good enough for your friend?”
Perhaps she should have been offended by that. But actually, she thought it was nice that Bear had someone looking out for him. Made her wish she had the same.
“I really miss him,” she confessed, looking down at her hot chocolate.
“He misses you too, little girl. But you’re going to have to be the one to go to him. I saw the way you two looked at each other. He’s been in a right mood this past week. How you been doing without him?”
Bear had been missing her? Really? “Are you sure he’s missing me? Maybe he’s upset for another reason?”
“Nope. I’ve known that man all my life, nothing much upsets him. But he’s been in a hell of a mood since we left you here. Now answer my question.”
Jesus, he was demanding. What had been his question? Oh, yeah, how had she been without Bear. That was easy. “I’ve been miserable.”
He nodded. “Good.”
“Well, thanks, glad you think my misery is a good thing.” He really was a strange man.
“It is if it means you care about him.”
“I do.” More than he could possibly know.
“And you’d give this up to come live at the ranch with him?” He waved his hand around at the house.
“In a heartbeat.” This was a lovely house, but it wasn’t home. That was with Bear.
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“But how does this change anything? How will I convince him that I want him? We’re not even talking.”
“Leave that up to me.” He studied her for a moment. “You look exhausted. You haven’t been sleeping?”
She shrugged. “Not really.”
“You been to see a doctor and have him check you over?”
She stared down at the countertop. He sighed. “I’m going to take that as a no. Bear know that?”
“No.”
“So, you broke your promise to him.” His voice had a dark note of disapproval in it. She shivered slightly. “You knew what you were supposed to do and you broke the rules. And that might just be what we need to get him here.”
“What?” She could not figure this guy out.
“Go upstairs and have a shower and get into your pajamas,” he told her.
“Are you always this bossy?”
“Yes. And until Bear takes responsibility for you again, you’re my responsibility.”
“Why?” she asked.
He sighed. “Because Bear is my best friend. I want him to be happy. I came here for him. But now that I’ve seen you, walking around in threadbare shoes, in a borrowed jacket that is far too big for you and with big black marks under your eyes, I can see that you need him even more than he needs you. You’re lost, aren’t you, little girl?”
“I’m not lost. I’m fine.” She really wasn’t though.
“Don’t lie to me. That’s the last warning you get.”
She knew she shouldn’t ask. She told herself not to ask. “Or what?”
“Or I tell on you to Bear.”
She rubbed at her forehead. The headache had been brewing for hours, which wasn’t a good sign. But now she was seeing spots in her vision and her stomach was starting to bubble with nausea. She’d only taken a few sips of the hot chocolate.
Clint watched her closely. “You have a headache?”
“Yeah, and his name is Clinton Jensen.”
He snorted. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard that.”
“That’s not a surprise to me.”
He gave a speculative look. Then he nodded as though he’d made up his mind about something.
“Do you really think he wants me?” she whispered. She was so scared to take a chance. To believe what Clint said. Because she wasn’t sure she could stand for Bear to reject her.
Clint reached over and grabbed hold of her cold hand in his large one. “He does. Now, don’t worry, I’m going to fix things.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that easy. You can’t fix things for other people.”
“Yeah, I can. Don’t you worry now. Go get into your pajamas. I won’t ask a third time.”
Bossy bastard. She glared at him, but found herself standing and heading towards the stairs.
She didn’t know why she felt compelled to do as he ordered. She should probably kick him out of her house. She went upstairs and got ready for bed. Her head was really aching and her pain relief was in her handbag downstairs. Dressed in a pair of old pajamas that had seen better days, she went back downstairs and grabbed her bag off the hall table. She pulled the bottle of pills out, shaking out a couple onto her hand.
A big hand reached over a shoulder and grabbed the bottle. He held them up. “I thought I asked you if you had a headache?”
She placed her hand over her stomac
h as it clenched violently. “I’m gonna be sick.”
He swept her up into his arms and ran for the bathroom. He got there just in time, holding her over the toilet as she heaved and heaved. Tears dripped down her face and she sobbed, agony engulfing her. When she was finished vomiting, her head felt like there were shards of glass tearing their way into her skull and her stomach rolled sickeningly.
“Sweetheart, it’s okay. I have you. You’re okay.”
She wished she could sink into his words. And the arms that were holding her. But they were the wrong arms and the wrong voice.
“I want Bear.”
“I know you do, little one,” Clint said in a soft voice.
“I’m sorry I just vomited in front of you.” God, this was embarrassing. “Please let me have the painkillers. My head is so sore.”
“It’s a migraine?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay. Did you get these before your accident?”
“No.” She was incapable of speaking more than one-word sentences it seemed. In fact, she didn’t really want to speak at all.
He gently pulled her up into his arms. She didn’t know where he was taking her. She just hoped it was somewhere dark and calm and soothing. Where she could lick her wounds. As if he’d read her mind, he laid her down on her bed. Yes. Thank goodness. Blankets were settled over her. And then something cool was placed over her eyes. She let out a low whimper.
“Just leave that there, sweetheart. Rest. It’s all going to be okay. I promise.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant by that. But right at this moment, she no longer cared.
12
Bear was in a foul mood. Then again, when wasn’t he in a foul mood at the moment? He wasn’t really fit to be around other people. He stomped into his cabin. He knew he should head to the dining hall and get some dinner, but he didn’t feel like eating. He looked longingly over at the bottle of whiskey. Except he’d been drinking too much of that lately, and he wasn’t a man who liked to lose control.
He needed to get himself back to that place where he’d been. Before Ellie. When he hadn’t been this rioting mess of emotions.
Maria’s betrayal had hurt, but it had nothing on the pain of losing Ellie.
He sat on the sofa in his cabin with a sigh and stared down at the phone in his hand. Maybe he should text her. Check on her. Make sure she’d been to the doctor. But what if she hadn’t been? Then he’d have to follow through on his threat to take her. Seeing her again probably wasn’t in his best interests right now.
His phone rang and he thought about ignoring it. But with a sigh, he looked at the screen and saw Clint’s name. Great. Maybe he’d have a job for him to do. Something to take his mind of Ellie.
“Yeah,” he barked down the phone.
“Well, that’s a cheerful greeting.”
“What do you want, Clint?”
“You know, I am still your boss.” There was no anger in the other man’s voice. He was baiting him.
“So, you just called me up to fire me, is that it?” Maybe an argument with Clint would ease some of his tension.
“Of course, I didn’t damn well call you to fire you. Jeez, touchy much? I’m at Ellie’s house.”
It was like a bucket of cold water over his head. Thoughts of Maria came screaming back and he shook them off. Clint had never done anything to lead Maria on. She’d come onto him. He trusted Clint. Even though they both had similar taste in women, Clint would never go after someone who meant something to him. Still he couldn’t help a surge of jealousy. “What the hell are you doing at my Ellie’s house?”
“Whoa. Calm down. It’s not like that. I’m here to help you.”
He rubbed his forehead. It wasn’t the first time that one of Clint’s plans had given him a headache. Or backfired on them all. “Please tell me you didn’t go there in order to get her to see me. Please tell me you didn’t interfere in my life like that. Because you know if you did, I’m going to have to hurt you.”
“I expect you’ll forgive me once Ellie’s in your bed. Or over your knee. That girl needs a good spanking.”
He clenched his free hand then forced himself to relax. Clint was just trying to goad him.
“Why are you at Ellie’s house? And where is Ellie?”
“Well, I’ve just put her to bed.”
That surge of jealousy came through once more. “Are you fucking kidding me? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“You know, I’m not used to you threatening to kill me twice in one conversation. You certainly weren’t this mad when I revealed what Maria was. Makes me think she wasn’t really important to you. At least not as important as this girl.”
Nothing was more important to him than Ellie. Her happiness. That was what came first. Even before his own.
“Clint, stop fucking around and just tell me what’s going on. Why did you have to put Ellie to bed?”
“Because she just vomited everywhere and she was worn out.”
“She’s sick?” His heart beat rapidly. He had stood and headed towards the door before he even realized what he planned to do. He put on his boots with one hand and reached for his truck keys.
“Migraine by the looks of it,” Clint said. This time he had a note of concern in his voice. “And I would say this isn’t the first time she’s had one. Don’t know if she had them before the concussion or not, but she needs to get them checked out.”
“She promised she would go to the doctor.”
“But that doesn’t mean she did.”
Bear paused took a deep breath. “She never went to the doctor?”
“Nope. Like I told you, she needs a good spanking. She tell you that she can’t access that trust fund yet?”
What? What was she living on?
“We haven’t really been talking. She did say she had a job. I thought it was to meet people.”
“Oh yes, her job. The one she has to walk to because her aunt’s car is a stick and she can’t drive it. Not sure if she had insurance on that other piece of crap she was driving. Oh, and my jacket is the only piece of decent clothing she has.”
Shit. Shit. Shit. He climbed into his truck and started it up.
“I thought she was taken care of. She had a nice house, a trust fund, a car.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes it’s not stuff that a person needs.”
This was his fault? Of course, it was. He’d left her. The call switched over to Bluetooth and he put his phone down and started down the driveway.
“Of course, she should have told you all this. You did tell her to contact you if she needed anything or was in trouble.”
He had.
“She was walking along the road, not paying any attention to her surroundings. Anyone could have walked up to her and hurt her.”
“I should never have left her.” He punched his fist against the steering wheel, feeling sick to his stomach. “Have you called the doctor?”
“I rang Doc and he said the best thing for her was just to sleep it off in a dark room with silence. I told her about Maria.”
Fuck. This was why Clint shouldn’t be allowed off the ranch. “Well, you’re just stacking up the friendship points today, aren’t you?”
“I just thought I should come here and check on her. I feel responsible for her too.”
“You went to interfere. Maybe see if you could do a bit of matchmaking.”
“Hey, if the ranch ever goes under at least I’ll have a second career choice to fall back on.”
“Yeah, I’ll buy a domain name for you now. Interferingbastard.com.”
“Hope my customers are more appreciative than you.”
13
Her mouth was so dry. Ick and when she swallowed all she could taste was vomit.
Slowly, she rolled over. She felt like she been run over by a truck. Her whole body ached. Even her tongue felt gross. She attempted to pull herself up. She needed a drink. And a tranquilizer.
“Easy, baby gir
l,” a low, raspy voice said. “Let me get you what you need. You just lie there.”
She recognized the voice, but she still wasn’t sure whether she was actually awake. “So, I’m still dreaming, then?”
She opened her eyes and looked up. She couldn’t see much since the room was so dark.
“You’re not dreaming, Ellie. Well, unless you think you’re in a nightmare,” he teased.
“Not a nightmare. Not unless you’re going to leave again.”
He sighed. “Do you think I can turn on the light without causing you any pain?”
She moved her head slowly from side to side. “I think so, if I adjust my eyes slowly.” She put her arm over her eyes as he switched on the bedside lamp. Then she moved her arm carefully away and blinked, opening her eyes slowly. She looked up into Bear’s concerned face. God, she’d missed him.
“Can I have a drink?” she asked in a croaky voice.
He immediately reached for the glass on the bedside table. It had a straw in it which he held to her lips. Huh, whoever knew she’d kind of miss the sippy cup.
“You’re always having to take care of me.”
He smiled. “I enjoy it. How are you feeling?” His gave her a concerned look.
“I’m all right. Migraine is gone. I just feel exhausted. You look tired.” There were dark crescents under his eyes.
“I haven’t been sleeping,” he admitted. “Not since the night I left you here.” He reached out and grabbed hold of her hand, running his thumb over the back of her hand.
“Clint called you?” she guessed.
“Yep.”
“You came because I was sick?” She wished it was because he’d missed her so much, he couldn’t be without her.
He studied her for a moment. “That’s part of the reason. When he called me, I jumped straight in my truck and drove here. I was worried about you the entire drive. But I was also happy.”
“Happy?” That seemed a weird reaction to her being ill.
“Because I was going to see you again. I’ve missed you, Ellie.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks. He reached up and wiped them away. “Hey, shh, don’t cry.”
Daddy Bear Page 13
