Her Healing Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 5)

by Donna Michaels

“I’m good,” she replied, appearing a lot less stressed without the constant frown and tense jaw he’d gotten used to seeing. “Just here to drop some paperwork off for my brother’s ortho doctor.”

  “I take it Arthur’s doing well. No more falls?”

  A hand devoid of jewelry and polished tips settled over her chest. “Oh my goodness, no. He learned his lesson.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “And I’m glad I ran into you.” She glanced around the deserted hall and stepped closer. “I wanted to talk to you about my daughter’s boyfriend, Tanner Hathaway. I understand you know him?”

  Chapter Ten

  Jace stilled, rooted to the spot by an invisible spear that felt as if it lanced his chest and impaled him to the tiled floor. All he could manage was a nod.

  “Holly insists he’s not her boyfriend, but she spends a lot of time with him, and…well, they’re young, and probably having sex, so I was just wondering what kind of man he is.” Mrs. Phillips drew in a breath, the frown and tenseness around her mouth returning.

  He could feel them creasing his own face as his stomach knotted with some unknown emotion.

  “My brother said the poor boy was dropped off at his uncle’s ranch when he was eight,” she stated. “Arthur doesn’t know anything about Tanner’s parents, but said the uncle was a…well, I’d rather not repeat. It wasn’t a nice word.”

  Because there were no nice words to describe Bart Hathaway. He’d been a mean drunk who beat Tanner every chance he got, until his friend had grown several inches the summer he’d turned sixteen and punched back.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t normally meddle, but Holly was hurt pretty bad from her last boyfriend, and I just don’t want to see her get hurt again. You understand?”

  He nodded, not really understanding anything past the fact his insides felt as if he’d swallowed a box of nails, after chewing on glass, then washing it all down with acid.

  Realizing the concerned mother was waiting for a reply, he brought what he hoped passed as an honest smile to his face. “Tanner is a good friend, firefighter, guardsman, cowboy, you name it. He’s always the first to volunteer whenever you need a hand.”

  And a commitment-phobe who never stayed with one woman for very long.

  Not something Holly’s mother would be all that happy to know. Not something he was all that happy about if his friend was actually seeing the same woman he was…seeing.

  “Well, thank you for being frank with me, Doctor Turner.” The woman smiled, relief evident in the softening of her forehead and mouth. “I’ll let you get back to work. It was nice talking to you.”

  With that, the woman turned and walked away, disappearing around the corner while he stood there staring at the hall…suddenly feeling just as empty and hollow.

  And no longer hungry.

  Jace turned and headed back to his office, calling himself all kind of names for even considering that Holly was sleeping with Tanner. Then calling himself another round of names for thinking she wasn’t.

  Too keyed to sleep now, he strode past his office to the lunch room where he grabbed a banana from the bowl of fruit on the table. It was none of his business. Why was he letting it bother him? He didn’t want a relationship. His life was way too hectic and crazy for him to saddle on any woman. Hell, he didn’t have time for one. Even one as giving, great smelling, great tasting as Holly Phillips.

  So, why was she constantly on his mind?

  The phone in his pocket rang, saving him from a round of soul searching he was not ready to do. He glanced down at the caller ID and groaned.

  Lacey.

  He wasn’t sure he was up to dealing with his ornery, bored sister, either. Setting his uneaten banana back on the table, he answered the call.

  “Hey, Jace,” she said, sounding stressed, not bored. “Sorry to call you at work, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

  Her tone and words shot his blood pressure into orbit. “What’s wrong, Lacey? Did you fall? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. It’s not me. It’s Beckham.”

  Her damn horse?

  The one she’d named after some “gorgeous soccer player,” as she’d put it. He squeezed the bridge of his nose and blew out a breath, undecided whether to strangle her for scaring the shit out of him, or cheer because she hadn’t reinjured her spine.

  “He got loose and took off in the south pasture. I told you he needed daily exercise. He’s going stir crazy since I haven’t ridden him in weeks.”

  “I thought you were going to talk to Jesse or Kade and let them handle your horse until your doctor gave you the all clear.”

  “Kade has enough on his plate with the rescues.”

  True. Last Jace had heard, his friend was sheltering a malnourished mare and her foal.

  He waited a beat for his sister to continue; when she didn’t, he spoke up. “And Jesse?”

  Another beat.

  “Lace?”

  “What?”

  “Did you ask Jesse to exercise Beckham?”

  “No. You know I don’t like when he’s around. He’s too damn bossy.”

  Jace closed his eyes and shook his head. “He’s also good with spirited horses. Swallow your damn pride, or get over whatever issue it is you have with the guy and ask him for help.”

  “Hell no.”

  He tried another tactic. “I thought you cared about Beckham.”

  “That’s low, bro.”

  “Look, I’m sorry,” he said, softening his tone. He knew the past few months had been rough on his independent sibling. “I love you, Lacey, and I know you’re used to doing everything yourself. But, right now, you need to accept help until you’re fully healed. It’s only temporary. Okay?” More silence. “Lace?”

  “Okay. You’re a sneaky SOB, you know that?”

  He smiled as relief filtered through his body. “Runs in the family.”

  This got him a chuckle. “Touché.”

  “So, you’ll call Jesse?”

  “No. I was hoping you’d come home during your lunch break.”

  He glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced. “Sorry, sis. I have an ear infection, UTI, and stitch removal all in fifteen minutes.”

  “Well…hell.”

  Welcome to my world, he thought with a sad smile.

  “Guess that leaves Mom and I.”

  He sat up. “Hell no.” Damn, stubborn woman. “I’ll call Connor.”

  “Tried. No good. Kerri said he was in Loughton Springs delivering a bull for this weekend’s annual fall rodeo.”

  Damn. “I’ll try Tanner.” He was ashamed to admit he was a little reluctant to talk to his friend. Which was stupid. He had no right to feel…whatever the hell rippled through his gut at the thought of Tanner and Holly together.

  “Tried him, too. He’s not answering. I figured he might be with some chick.”

  That unknown emotion rippled through his gut. Again.

  “Look, I appreciate your suggestions, Jace, but we’re wasting time. I won’t let Beckham get near the interstate.”

  “Neither will I,” he said. “I’ll handle it. You stay put. Do you hear me?”

  What was it with her and her silence?

  “Lacey?”

  “Yeah, I hear you, but if someone isn’t here within the next ten minutes, Jace, I’m going after him myself.”

  Before he could reprimand his headstrong sister, again, she hung up on him.

  Shit.

  He shot to his feet and did the only thing he could do—punched the number into his phone. “Hey, Jesse…”

  Saturday afternoon, Holly was at The Creamery, cleaning out the last of the cupboards and organizing them for better storage. At least, that was her story, and she was sticking to it. Her restlessness had absolutely nothing to do with keeping busy so she didn’t think about a sexy-as-sin doctor and his magical hands. Or the fact she’d only spoken to him twice since those magical hands had been on her body last weekend.

  Nope. That w
as definitely not the reason for cleaning the shop from top to bottom all week. Fall cleaning. She wanted to make sure the shop was in ship shape before she went back to Colorado, because, yeah, she was sure to be leaving soon. After all, her uncle was making remarkable progress.

  “I know there’s a CMP here with my name on it.”

  “Mine, too.”

  She turned to find Shayla and Caitlin smiling at her from the other side of the counter. Grinning, she straightened and rushed around to give her friends a hug. She hadn’t seen either all week. The newlywed had an excuse. Honeymoon with her gorgeous husband. But did this week have to be the week Caitlin had to stay on campus to prepare for a presentation in one of her classes?

  Of course it did. Left to her own devices, she worried about her job at the ski resort, having called but not gotten a return on the message, and if Jace thought about the great sex they’d had. And if he wanted more.

  She did. A lot. And wanted to…a lot.

  Which was bad. Very bad. And a good reason to keep busy.

  “Ah, look at you, Mrs. Dalton, all sunshine and smiles,” she said, pulling her friend in for a hug, secretly jealous as hell at the look of utter satisfaction oozing from the woman’s lazy grin. “I don’t have to ask if you had a good time. Your expression says it all.”

  Caitlin snorted. “I know. Are you as jealous as me?”

  “Big time,” she replied with a grin, releasing Shayla to hug her sister. “Okay.” She drew back. “I’ll get the sundaes, you head to the table in the corner where my laptop is all set up for you to check out some awesome photographs of a certain wedding I attended last week.”

  The redhead squealed, sending poor, unsuspecting Donny two feet in the air…along with the soft cone in his hand. The ice cream landed on the floor before his feet touched back down. He slapped a hand to his chest, and the other to the counter for support as he stared down at the splattered pumpkin spice.

  “Oh, Donny. I’m so sorry,” Shayla said, rushing forward. “Let me help you—”

  “No! You shouldn’t be bending.” He thrust a hand out to keep the woman away from the spill. “I’ll get it. I’m becoming an old pro. Just ask Holly. This makes the third one this week.”

  The sweet guy sounded as if it was something to be proud of, so she nodded with a smile. “Okay…if you’re sure.”

  Holly stepped close. “Yes, unless you’d rather clean the floor instead of looking at photos of your wedding.”

  Shayla straightened. “Donny, you’re on your own.” Then twisted around to march toward the laptop.

  They spent the next hour eating ice cream and discussing their favorite photos. When they came to the ones she’d shot of Jace, laughing at something Kade had said, her insides warmed and got all soft and mushy, like the sundae melting in her cup.

  She glanced up to find Shayla and Caitlin staring at her. “What?”

  “Oh. My. God.” The newlywed blinked accusingly at her. “You slept with Jace.”

  “What?” She reeled back, happy to note the shop was empty and Donny was too far away to hear.

  “You did.” Now Caitlin was smiling. “You totally did.”

  Denial was on the tip of her tongue, but the damn heat flooding her face gave her away. So, she did the only thing she could at that point. Shoved more ice cream in her mouth before clicking on the next picture.

  Dammit. More Jace.

  Click. Click.

  Dammit.

  Where the hell are the shots of the bride and groom?

  “Give it up,” Shayla said with a chuckle.

  Her sister nodded and leaned forward. “And tell us how it was.”

  She sighed and let the memory flood her. “Better than chocolate.”

  “I’m not surprised.” The newlywed pointed at her with a spoon. “You two have some serious chemistry going on.”

  “Yeah, but it was only for one night. We both agreed it was for the best that way.”

  Shayla sighed and shook her head. “Only for the moment.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That is the same thing Kevin and I agree on. But one week later we fell back into bed.”

  Her pulse kicked up at the thought of more nights like that with Jace. Her body was totally on board and happy dancing with that, but her mind was doing the ‘hell no’ shuffle. “No. It’ll be just the one night.”

  Caitlin sighed. “Yeah. I only had one night like that.”

  Holly’s heart nose-dived for the floor. She knew her friend had gone out with Jace a few times last spring, but she never really thought the two had slept together.

  “No. Not with Jace,” Caitlin rushed to say, apparently reading Holly’s mind. “Jace and I are just friends. Kind of like you and Tanner. Unless you’ve slept with Tanner.”

  “No. We’re just friends. So then, who was your better-than-chocolate night with?”

  “Keiffer Wyne,” Shayla answered, then laughed when her sister’s head snapped in her direction. “You already admitted to us you’d slept with him, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s right.” Caitlin smiled, face turning a bright pink. “Must be something about weddings that make us give into…you know…urges,” she said, before shoving the last of the ice cream in her mouth.

  “Then I’m so glad no one else is getting married around here,” a female said from behind.

  She turned toward the voice.

  Shit.

  Jace’s sister.

  Holly recognized the dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty from the reception. Damn. She hoped the woman hadn’t been there long enough to hear all of the conversation.

  “Lacey! Hi,” Caitlin exclaimed. “Pull up a chair.”

  “Yeah, we’re looking at my wedding photos, eating chocolate ice cream, and discussing great sex.”

  Holly shot to her feet. “What can I get you?”

  And please let it be to go.

  “I’d love what you’re having. Or had,” the woman said, glancing at their empty dishes as she sat.

  Damn.

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.” She wasted no time putting space between talk of great sex and Jace’s sister.

  Stalling as long as possible, she made the CMP. Cleaned up. Took the trash outside to the dumpster. Washed her hands. Then finally carried the dessert back to the table and sat.

  Why couldn’t a family of ten walk in? Or a bus load of tourists? Or…

  “Jace?” Holly shot to her feet again, refusing to look at the women as she did her best to deal with the rush of strange emotions flooding her body.

  “Hi, Holly,” he replied, gaze settling on her.

  The last time she’d seen the sexy doctor, she’d had her naked body twisted around him like a pretzel, while she cried out his name as he thrust deep inside her. The two times she’d talked to him since then had been on the phone. In a text.

  This was different. Way different.

  She had the heat in her face to prove it.

  His had a layer of exhaustion over the tension dulling his smile and thinning his talented mouth.

  The urge to lean close and soothe the stress from his lips with her tongue was so strong, she grabbed the dirty dishes from the table to keep her body from reacting to his nearness without her permission.

  “I came for my sister.”

  His words sank in, hitting her like a bucket of ice water.

  Chapter Eleven

  Lacey frowned. “I just got here.”

  Holly managed to nod before she turned and walked to the sink behind the counter, talking the stupid burning from her eyes.

  Of course Jace isn’t here for me. Why would he be? Just because they’d had great sex. Better than great sex. Amazing sex. That was no reason for him to seek her out. It wasn’t like they were in a relationship.

  She was such a dweeb.

  With her back turned, she concentrated on stacking the dishwasher and reining in her unwanted emotions. The handsome doctor had been up front with her. Never made any
promises. It was her stupid body’s fault for thinking…

  A warm hand touched her arm, and she jumped, twisting to find Jace had followed.

  “I wasn’t finished,” he said, crowding her against the sink. “I was saying I came for my sister, but was hoping to see you.”

  “Oh.” She blinked, surprised at how much better she suddenly felt.

  “Yeah, oh,” he repeated, lifting a hand to brush a strand of hair off her face. “Sorry I haven’t had a chance to see you sooner.”

  It wasn’t as if they were a couple, or even in any kind of relationship, and yet, the fact he’d thought about her enough to want to see her again sent a rush of warmth through her veins.

  “This week has been extra busy,” he added, the stress lines reappearing on his face. “And I have drill this weekend.”

  Before Holly could stop herself, she smoothed a line near his left temple with her finger. “It’s okay.”

  Surprise and heat mixed to light his gaze. “It is now,” he said, reaching up to touch the hand she held by his face.

  Warmth spread through her chest, and she could feel herself grinning like a fool, despite the fact three awfully quiet women were looking on with interest from the corner of the shop. He leaned closer and opened his mouth, but whatever he’d been about to say was cut off by the ringing of the phone attached to his belt.

  Releasing her, he blew out a breath and reached for his cell. “Excuse me,” he said, and with an apologetic nod, he walked away to answer the call.

  Instead of rejoining the girls at the table, Holly busied herself at the ice cream counter, waiting until he ended his conversation.

  “Here,” she said, shoving a waffle cone at him, filled with pistachio ice cream.

  His favorite.

  Longing entered his gaze as he stared at the treat. “Thanks, but I’m meeting with another doctor on a consult.”

  “Trust me,” she said, lowering her voice for his ears only. “You’ll have this finished before you even get to your office.”

  Hell, that talented tongue of his had finished her off in half the time.

  Apparently reading her mind, he smiled, gaze heating to indecent as he lifted the cone to his mouth and licked.