by Hope Ford
“Thanks. I’m glad you agreed to take this job. I’ve been working on my own, but without the equipment I’m not getting the same results.”
“I’ll show you the new regimen that you’ll be following now that you’re at home,” I say, opening up the binder I brought where I have printouts of different exercises and stretches so he’ll have them on hand.
“Karly, are you sure this stretch is necessary?” he asks, pointing out a stretch that is particularly difficult because of his injury.
I need to set the limits now, from the start so there’s no misunderstandings.
“You were allowed to call me Karly when I wasn’t your nurse and you weren’t my patient. Now that you’re my patient, I’d prefer for you to address me as Nurse Berry.”
“And you shall call me Sir Jason Keller the third of Forest Grove,” he says, making his voice sound grand.
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling and laughing.
“Let’s begin with stretches.”
10
Jason
I am really feeling the stiffness that settled into my legs in just the few days I stopped working out with Karly. I slacked off the few days it took her to get settled and then come to Forest Grove, and I’ve been on everybody, trying make sure everything is perfect. I know I should feel even more guilty for taking her away from her job and life in Knox, but I already feel better having her here. I know she can help me, but it’s more than that. Even now when she’s still playing the part of a prickly cactus, I’m glad she’s here.
Of course, that isn’t the only reason. Even when she’s being a hard-assed professional, she still smells like something I want to devour. I also really don’t mind the few brushes of contact that happen as she corrects my form. There’s a surge of energy that shoots through me every time, and I can’t help but notice that her skin is so smooth and soft.
Usually I have to try and hide the erection that I’m sporting between my legs. I’ll use some towel that I’ve used to wipe sweat off my forehead and cover my crotch with it. If she notices, she doesn’t say anything.
I’ve almost apologized to her a million times for it, but the fact that she doesn’t mention it or act as if she notices has me believing that maybe I shouldn’t mention it either.
So I sit there, doing my leg workouts and sporting a ragin’ hard-on. Luckily, Derrick or my other brother Trent never interrupt our sessions. If they did, I’d never live it down.
And whether she will admit it or not, when she touches me, it affects her too. Her breaths come out in little pants, a flush crosses her cheeks, and her eyes dilate. Knowing that I have an effect on her gives me a little hope. At least until I realize that there’s no chance she’s going to be interested in me. Not after the way the three doctors were vying for her. I wouldn’t even be in the running. Not with my bum leg. Heck I can’t even work yet, and even though I still have income from the ranch, a man needs to work.
I remind myself that it’s not ever going to go anywhere with her and not to let myself get carried away. Now, I somehow have to convince my heart.
Karly
Jason has been working hard, and I’m confident that in another week he may be able to start walking for a few hours each day without the cane. I’m proud of him; having a patient that is putting everything he has into the therapy is so rewarding and rare.
He wanted to be without a cane in time for his brother Trent’s wedding, and I know that’s going to be possible. It’s only a few weeks away, and I know he’ll be ready.
I’m approaching the house, walking next to the barn for our next session and I overhear some ranch hands talking. When I hear my name, I stop.
A voice I don’t recognize says, “That nurse is probably doing a lot more than making Jason work out. She’s probably giving him some special attention.”
I’m around the corner so I know they can’t see me, so I stay put, already dreading where this conversation is going. I’ve worked hard to build a good reputation, but one comment can ruin it. I’ve seen it happen before.
I hear one of the guys ask Jason directly, “So what about it, boss? Is something going on with you and the nurse?”
I can feel my eyes about bug out of my head. Jason’s out here too? I move closer to the wall and listen closely. I’m sure I’m not supposed to be eavesdropping on my boss’s conversation, but wild horses couldn’t drag me away right now.
I know that guys are stupid when they are in a group, and I brace myself for what I know is inevitable. He’s going to lie or avoid the question so they can keep assuming that it’s some sexual arrangement. I cringe just thinking about it.
“I know I haven’t been back for long, and I know that with my leg I’m not pulling my weight around here like I once was, but I promise you this, if I hear anyone talk about Karly like this again, that person will be the new scarecrow for the garden with my cane straight up his ass.”
The chuckling ceases and the jeering and murmuring dies instantly. It’s so quiet you could probably hear a pin drop.
I hold my breath, stunned in disbelief. Did Jason, the guy I thought for sure was an asshole, just defend me?
“Karly is a very hard working, professional, and classy woman who doesn’t deserve to be objectified for her trouble coming out here to help me get back into working order. Is that understood?”
The resounding, “Yes sir,” he receives is even more impressive than his threat because even after he goes into the barn, the men don’t complain about him or go back to talking trash about me. He has their respect, and even though I’ve made it a personal goal to see Jason as a jerk, he now has my respect as well.
I come out from my spot by the barn and start walking to the main house without even glancing over at the group of men. I know if I do I won’t be able to resist giving them a dirty look. I’ll just go on up to the house and get everything set up for when Jason comes in. Already I can feel myself softening even more toward him, and I know that if I do, I’m not going to be able to stay professional. Sometimes the way he looks at me makes it hard to keep from getting personal with him. But I’m pretty sure I won’t be here much longer, and I just have to keep my work ethic in place, that’s all.
I blow a piece of hair out of my face. Easier said than done, Karly.
11
Jason
I don’t know what happened to make Karly soften toward me, but I’m not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She’s still keeping things professional, but that way she has of challenging me and cheering for me at the same time is back.
Better yet, when the workout is finished, she doesn’t pack up her equipment and rush out like she has every other time.
She stays and chats with me on the porch where we can see the stables and horses out getting their exercise.
“I want you to start walking without the cane. I’m going to limit how long you go without it, but as you get stronger, it will be longer.” She smiles at me, and for the first time in a long time, it’s not that guarded smile of hers. “You’re doing great, Jason. I’m really proud of you.”
“Thank you, Nurse Berry. I couldn’t do it without you.” She shakes off my words, but we both know they’re the truth. There’s no way I would have come this far without her. “I’m pumped to get to ditch the stick for even a couple hours.”
She laughs then, and the sound is almost magical. “Oh no, don’t get carried away. We’ll start with a few minutes and work up to hours.”
I agree with her instantly. Right now, I would agree to anything to have her sitting here laughing and talking to me.
Derrick and Olivia come along and join in our chat. They sit on the porch swing, holding hands with each other.
“What’s going on? How’s therapy going?”
Karly brags on me to my brother and Olivia. “Well, Jason is probably not going to need me much longer. He’s been working so hard, and we are about to start weaning him off the cane.”
“We
ll, that’s a relief. Trent and Lacy were talking about moving their wedding. I’ll have to tell them there’s no need.”
“Move their wedding? Why would they move their wedding?”
Derrick shrugs his shoulders. “He’s been worried about you lately, and he knows how much you hate walking with the cane. They were considering pushing it back a few months.”
I’m stunned. I can’t believe Trent and Lacy would do that for me. “Well, tell them to forget it. Nothing’s going to stop me from standing up with him. Even if I have to use the damn cane. I’m just happy to be alive at this point. I can make it through the rest of it.”
Derrick and Karly look at me in surprise. And I am sort of surprising myself. But I’ve come to learn that I have a whole lot to be thankful for, and I’m going to do my best to quit holding myself back. I’m alive. I can walk. I have my family, and I have Karly. Well, for now anyway.
We sit and talk a little more about the wedding, and when Karly says she’s going to go back to the cabin, I offer to walk her.
“I know I’ve already said it, but I’m really proud of you, Jason. Not just because of how far you’ve come but your attitude too.”
I walk her out to the cabin once Derrick and Olivia continue on their way, and for a moment I nearly lean in and kiss her. It surprises me how much I want to. This is definitely something I could get used to. Having Karly close on my family’s ranch and finally happy with me, well, it starts to give me ideas.
Karly
For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me.
How pathetic am I? A guy tells his friends not to be crude jerks and I see a knight in shining armor.
I laugh at myself for getting caught up in the moment and excitement. He is still my patient, and I’m still his nurse. For all I know, he’s being nice to me because I do indeed help him and push him to do better. I hate to even think about leaving here and going back to the hospital grind of twelve-hour shifts. But even more than that, I hate the thought of not seeing Jason anymore. He’s definitely growing on me.
It may have taken some convincing, but I’m definitely thankful for this job. The paychecks I’ve earned from the Kellers have helped me stop the final notices I was getting and constant threats. Not to mention, I’ve not had to work so many hours. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been able to get sleep and catch up on laundry and my regular everyday upkeep.
With the latest paycheck I’ve officially caught up with the payments on my car. To celebrate I decide to go and get my hair done with the remaining balance of the check. It’s a treat for myself. It definitely doesn’t have anything to do with wanting Jason to kiss me. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
12
Jason
It’s building up, all the attraction, yearning, and desire I have for Karly. We’ve been on friendly terms for a couple of weeks now, and I’ve worked up to six hours without needing my cane to give my knee a break.
I’m confident that I’ll be able to ditch the cane completely in time, and because Karly has helped me see that I can, I start to think maybe she would agree to go out with me if I asked her.
She seems to get even more beautiful each day I see her, and the days that I don’t seem longer and monotonous.
Even as I’m considering asking her out, I hear Harrison, a ranch hand that helps to break and train the horses intercept Karly, who was on her way to the house. “I noticed you like to look at the horses.”
“Yeah, they’re beautiful, that’s for sure. I’ve always wanted to ride one. I’ve just never had the opportunity.”
I have already pushed past eight hours without the cane, and I look down at it in my hand feeling pathetic and jealous as Harrison asks her out on a date.
“That’s kind of you to invite me, but I’m afraid it’s not a good idea. I work quite a bit, and beside that, it’s a conflict of interest for me to date someone who works for my patient. I hope you understand.”
I know it’s a total jerk move to be smiling as large as I am at Harrison getting turned down, but I don’t care.
Derrick joins me on the deck about then. “What are you grinning about?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly. I am watching the corner that I know Karly will come around. When she does, she’s even more beautiful than the last time I saw her, impossibly so.
How did I think she was going to want to go out with me?
“How are you, Karly?” Derrick asks her.
“Good. Just admiring your horses.”
“And turning down the free horse-riding lessons?” I ask because I’m still a little jealous even though she said no to Harrison.
Karly laughs. “Yes, actually. Though I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep saying no. I’ve always wanted to learn to ride a horse.”
Derrick looks pointedly at me.
What? Like I can teach her? I haven’t completely remastered walking yet. Get real.
Karly
Usually, I’m sort of a bear in the morning but with the extra sleep I’ve been getting, not to mention the rewarding work I’ve been doing with Jason, I’m up and raring to start the day today.
Since Derrick and Olivia invited me over for breakfast before the workout with Jason, I’m not even going to have to cook. Man, when I do go back to my apartment in Knox and my job at the hospital, it’s definitely going to take some getting used to. Not to mention how much I’m just going to miss all this sunshine and fresh air. And Jason. Of course my thoughts go to Jason. I shake my head as if I’m trying to get the thoughts out.
Walking to the main house, I see Jason leaning up against the corral. Just watching him, my heart aches for him. Even from here, it’s clear from the look in his eyes that he wants to be up astride a horse, probably at a full run, knowing him.
One day at a time, Jason.
I wait for him to catch up to me, and we walk to the main house together. “You’re walking really well. Every day I see improvements. Pretty soon you won’t need the cane at all.”
He has a sexy grin that makes my stomach flutter and squeeze. “I think so too, thanks to you.”
“You did the work; all I can do is encourage you and offer suggestions.”
“You do more than that,” Jason says as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch sends tingles through my entire body.
Keep it together, Karly. Nurse and patient, nothing more.
“Maybe, but I should be thanking you too. Usually, in my line of work I only get to work with someone for a limited amount of time, and then I have to give them a stack of pictures of workouts and hope they use them. You’ve given me a real gift to see the therapy work to the end.”
“The end?” Jason asks.
Olivia opens the door. “Come on in,” she says.
I smile over at Jason, assuming we’ll finish our conversation later, but the smile that was there only minutes ago is now gone.
Over breakfast I want to avoid talking about when I won’t be able to work with Jason anymore, so I ask him about the horses. “I saw you out by the stables. Are your horses doing okay?”
“The horses are doing great.” Olivia beams. “We’ve got a mare getting ready to have a foal, and she’s been perfectly textbook.”
“That’s exciting,” I say, but I’m watching Jason. “Were you looking in on the mare?”
Jason doesn’t return the eye contact and busies himself poking at the scrambled eggs with his fork saying, “Something like that.”
Now what? I can’t help wondering. What has made him go from the easygoing Jason to this guy, the one that looks as if he doesn’t even want to talk to me? If it was just the two of us, I’d call him out on it, but I’m not going to ruin breakfast for Derrick and Olivia.
“Olivia, this is so good,” I tell her, honestly, taking a bite of the crispy bacon.
Olivia snorts. “Well, actually, you can thank Derrick for it. I’m not much of a cook.”
We both get a chuckle out of that. “I’m the same
way. I usually live on ramen noodles so I imagine my body will be in shock when I go back to that and leave all these good meals behind.”
“Well, I’m sure that will be awhile. Or at least I hope so. I’ve enjoyed having another woman around,” Olivia says.
“Me too.”
Derrick lifts up his empty plate and puts some more bacon on it. “You mentioned the other day that you’ve always wanted to learn to ride a horse. You know we could get one of the ranch hands to give you lessons. Maybe not Harrison, but I’m sure any of the guys would be happy to help you out,” Derrick says.
I make sure to keep my eyes trained on Derrick. I know that riding horses is still a sore subject with Jason, and I feel bad that we’re talking about it in front of him. I would love to learn to ride, but I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to commit to anything, before I change the subject to Trent and Lacy’s wedding.
13
Jason
I was in a bad mood throughout the workout, but I made a point not to take it out on Karly after her comment about our sessions coming to an end upset me so much. That and, well, my dense brother straight-up offering to set Karly up with one of the ranch hands for horseback riding lessons. I mean really, what was he even thinking?
Of course, I couldn’t smack Derrick in front of Karly for his stupidity, but as soon as she is off the porch and out of earshot after the session, I smack Derrick upside the head. “What is wrong with you? Did you get high before breakfast? I told you just the other day how I needed to put the guys in their place about Karly and then you go and say we should set her up to work with one of them?”
