Her reaction only made his smile widen, making him even more attractive. His teeth looked especially white in contrast to the shadow of whiskers darkening his jaw.
“Delivering books for my grandma.”
“Oh, right.” Aunt Tillie had said her friend was donating more books.
Ivy studied the handsome man, and felt her heart flutter like the leaves of the quaking aspens surrounding the ranch back home. She’d given in this morning and started re-reading the cowboy romance. She imagined the leading man named Ryker looking so much like the guy standing in front of her she almost felt as if she’d stepped inside the novel.
“Let me give you a hand.” She stooped down and picked up one of the boxes. It was heavier than she’d anticipated, and she almost toppled backward when she stood up.
“You sure about that?” Kellen asked as he reached out to steady the box.
“I’ve got it,” Ivy said, feeling a little defensive. She’d grown up on a ranch carrying her own weight and working alongside her father and her brothers.
“Okay.” Kellen’s lips parted in to another smile before he picked up the other box. “Lead the way.”
Ivy suddenly felt self-conscious having the cute cowboy follow her. She’d never worn such form fitting clothes in her life. It was a good thing her work on the ranch kept her in shape.
Aunt Tillie hadn’t been able to resist coming with Ivy this morning. She sat at the desk with her leg propped up on a chair, and greeted Kellen warmly.
“Hello, Kellen.”
“Hey, Mrs. Cooper.” He set the box down on the table. “It’s good to see you’re following doctor’s orders by keeping your leg elevated.”
Ivy snorted a laugh as she placed her box next to Kellen’s. “I just made her sit down a few minutes ago, otherwise you would’ve caught her organizing the top book shelf.”
“Ivy Marie Baker, I can’t believe you sold me out. If Kellen tattles on me to Dr. Meanie then I’ll get another ten minutes on the bike next week.”
“I finished up my internship with Doc Marshall yesterday so you’re safe.”
“You’re done?” Aunt Tillie said. “Well, I’m sorry I didn’t get to say hello.” She glanced over at Ivy. “Kellen is planning on becoming a physical therapist.”
Ivy watched as Kellen’s smile faltered a little. He pushed back his cowboy hat, allowing Ivy full view of his gorgeous blue eyes, which now appeared troubled.
“Actually, it’s a physical therapy assistant.” He shrugged. “I still have to get accepted to a PT school before that happens.”
“Where are you going to school now?” Ivy asked, envious that he wasn’t stuck on a ranch or destined to marry a wealthy owner of a dude ranch.
“I’m just taking my prerequisites online for now.” He dug into one of his pockets and pulled out a multi-tool keychain. “I’m still working full-time on the ranch I grew up on.”
Oh, so he was tied to a ranch. Ivy couldn’t tell if he was happy about that or not. Before she could ask him any more questions, he unfolded a knife and sliced through the tape on the box.
“Where do you want the books, Mrs. Cooper?” he asked.
“We have to enter them into the computer first, then we can shelve them.”
Ivy moved next to him, intent on emptying the box herself. She reached inside the box at the exact same time as Kellen. Their hands collided and she froze. The electrifying heat shooting through her veins made her suck in a quick breath. “You don’t have to stay.” She grabbed one of the books and hugged it to her chest. “I know you must be busy.”
Kellen glanced over at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a wry grin. “I can stay.” He picked up a book, but didn’t hang on to it like it was some kind of shield.
“No—” Ivy started to argue, but her aunt cut her off.
“If the man wants to help, Ivy, then let him help.”
“But—”
Ivy didn’t finish her sentence. Aunt Tillie was looking at her with a gleam in her eyes. Almost like she knew why Ivy was protesting so much. Not ten minutes before Ivy had hoped one of the other ladies would show up to help so she could take her aunt home. Ivy could tell her aunt was tired and hadn’t fully bounced back from her session at the therapist’s office the day before.
Ivy met Kellen’s blue eyes. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
He winked, and Ivy felt her face go hot. She ducked her head and reached for another book.
“Kellen, Ivy made her famous chicken potpie for lunch,” Tillie said. “We’d love to have you join us when we’re done.”
What? No! Ivy’s head shot up, but she kept her objection silent. Both Kellen and Tillie were watching her closely.
“I don’t know how famous it is, but you’re welcome to stay if you really want to.” She hoped her voice came off as nonchalant, as if his presence wasn’t unsettling.
His lips twitched as he considered her. “Thank you. Chicken potpie is one of my favorites.”
Ivy couldn’t look away. Those blue eyes of his held her captive. Her phone chimed an incoming text, snapping her out of her trance. Corbin was probably texting her again.
“I need to read this text,” she said, fumbling for her phone. When she looked at the screen she was confused not to see a new message.
“Uh, I think that was mine.” Kellen pulled out his phone, glanced at the screen briefly and then handed it to her. “You can read it if you really want to.”
She had absolutely no reason to read this man’s text messages, but she did so anyway.
“The baby is craving a Big C’s frozen custard again. No fries or cheeseburger this time,” Ivy read out loud.
Kellen started to chuckle. “Pregnancy makes women so demanding.”
“You’re pregnant?”
One of Kellen’s brows lifted up, and Aunt Tillie snorted a laugh.
“I mean… your wife’s pregnant?”
“I’m not married.”
This was worse. That meant his girlfriend was pregnant.
“And before you say it,” Kellen said, holding up his hands. “No, it’s not my girlfriend, either.” He took his phone back. “Caytie is sort of my sister-in-law.” He typed in a quick reply, which Ivy didn’t see.
“How is someone sort of your sister-in-law? She’s not married to your brother yet?”
“Jace really isn’t my brother.” He smiled at the confused look Ivy had to have on her face. “Long story short my parents died when I was seven and I came to live with my Grandma on the GH ranch. Jace’s mom died when he was about sixteen, and ended up living with George Holbrook, owner of the ranch. We grew up together.”
“I’m sorry about your parents,” Ivy said softly.
“Thanks. It was a long time ago.”
“I never knew my mother.” Ivy wasn’t sure why she was telling him this. “She died giving birth to me.”
Sympathy shone in Kellen’s eyes. Or maybe it was empathy. “That must’ve been hard.”
Ivy felt her lower lip tremble. At least she’d had her father, no matter how strained their relationship had been. And her brothers.
Kellen’s phone chimed again. “You better see what else the baby wants,” Ivy said, grateful for the change of topic.
Grinning, Kellen checked his message and read it out loud. “The baby wants vanilla this time.”
“You shouldn’t keep a pregnant woman waiting.” Ivy swept a hand over the books. “Aunt Tillie and I can do this.”
“Caytie’s store isn’t that far from the library. After I finish helping you ladies, I’ll take her a frozen custard.”
“We’ll be here for a couple of hours,” Aunt Tillie said. “Go on and get Caytie her treat and then you can come back.”
“Great, I won’t be long.” He met Ivy’s gaze as he took a step backward. “I’m still invited for lunch, right?”
“Of course.” Ivy ignored the warning bells going off in her head about spending more time with Kellen. “If yo
u still want to.”
There was that smile again. “Oh, I want to.”
With that, he turned and walked away. Ivy noticed his slight limp again, and wondered if he’d been hurt. Something inside her wanted to know everything about him.
“Kellen Thomas is a fine young man, Ivy.”
Aunt Tillie’s voice made Ivy’s thoughts come to a screeching halt.
“Why are you telling me?” she said, feeling slightly irritated.
“No reason. I just thought you should know.”
Right. Ivy knew the gleam in her aunt’s eyes. “I’m not interested in him.”
“I never said you were.”
“Good.”
Aunt Tillie’s smirk broadened into an annoying grin. “Are you ready to catalog the books or do you want to keep on discussing Kellen Thomas?”
Ivy started to argue, but changed her mind. Too much protesting and all that would only further her aunt’s mischief making. Picking up one of the books, Ivy rattled off the title and other information needed to record the book. They worked steadily, and Ivy did her best to not think about Kellen, or what was taking him so long.
When forty-five minutes had passed, Ivy began thinking he may not return. He probably had a girlfriend, and had run into her. Not that it mattered if he did or didn’t have a girlfriend. He was off-limits.
She had to remind herself of that when he strolled in ten minutes later.
“Sorry I took so long, but I had to deal with an emergency.”
“Oh dear. Is everything okay?” Aunt Tillie asked.
Kellen adjusted his hat, and blew out a long breath. “Well, Caytie and I both decided no matter how good it sounds, she needs to stick to a bland diet until her morning sickness is gone.”
“That bad, huh?” Ivy asked, noticing for the first time that Kellen had on a different shirt. She wasn’t going to ask what happened to his other one, but she could guess.
“Yeah.” He met Ivy’s eyes. “I wish I could stay and help you ladies out, but Jace needs me to cover for him at the ranch so he can take care of Caytie.”
Ivy’s stomach knotted with disappointment. “I… we understand.” She wondered if she’d see Kellen again. It’s not like she could invite him to have lunch with her.
“Can I get a rain check on that chicken pot pie?”
The tightness in Ivy’s stomach loosened a little. “Sure.” Her voice sounded breathy. Hopefully it wasn’t noticeable.
A slow smile creased Kellen’s handsome face. “Okay then.” He glanced at Tillie. “Take care of that knee, Mrs. Cooper.”
“I will. Be sure and tell your grandma thank you for the book donation.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes moved back to Ivy. “I’ll see you later, Ivy Baker.”
Ivy bit at her bottom lip to keep from blurting out, “I hope so.” Instead, she lifted a hand and waved. “See you.”
He held her gaze while he took a couple of steps backward. Then he turned and walked away.
Unable to help herself, Ivy watched him until he disappeared through the door. A little ding sounded from her pocket. Withdrawing her phone, she felt her heart sink at the message from Corbin.
I don’t like having you so far away. I’ll try to rearrange my schedule so I can come see you in a couple of weeks.
“Ivy?” Aunt Tillie said. “Is everything okay?”
No. But she could never say that out loud. “Sure.” She forced her lips up into a smile. “But I’m starving. How about we go home to eat and let you rest. I can come back tomorrow morning to finish the last of the books.”
Aunt Tillie must have been tired because she didn’t argue with Ivy. After eating lunch, her aunt went to her room to lie down for a quick nap. Ivy thought about going back to the library to finish up, but her romance book was calling to her. She never had this much downtime back home, and she wanted to enjoy it while she could.
When she’d originally read the book, it had taken her nearly three weeks, reading it only in snippets. Having more time to read made it seem like a completely different book. It also helped to envision Kellen as the main character.
By the time she was ready for bed, Ivy had finished the book again, and had added a few more romantic ways to be kissed to her list.
Chapter 4
It was a good thing Kellen’s internship had ended because work on the ranch was busier than ever. Over the weekend Jace got two new horses to break, and George sliced his hand open on some barbed wire fencing, putting him out of commission for the rest of the week.
It was Wednesday, and Kellen’s homework was stacking up. He had a paper in English that had to be done and submitted before midnight. Altogether they were the perfect excuses he needed to not have time to ask Ivy Baker out.
Yeah, he was being a chicken. When it came down to actual dating, Kellen still had issues. He never looked forward to telling someone about the accident, and the thought of Ivy being turned off by his disability didn’t seem worth the risk. Besides that, he had jumped to a pretty big conclusion that she felt the same kind of crazy attraction he did.
“Hey,” Jace said, coming inside the barn. “I’m supposed to meet Caytie at Doc Taggart’s in an hour.”
“Today’s the big day, right?” Kellen asked, pulling off his gloves. Part of him wished he could be there when they found out what sex the baby was.
“Yeah, I’m kind of nervous.” Jace took off his hat and wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. “Caytie says she doesn’t care if we have a boy or a girl just as long as the baby’s healthy. I feel the same way, but I’m not gonna lie. Having a daughter scares me to death. What do I do with a girl?”
Kellen laughed. “The same thing you did with Caytie. You buy her a pair of cowgirl boots and teach her to love horses.”
The relief on Jace’s face was almost comical. “Thank you.” He slapped Kellen on the back. “Dude, when did you get to be so smart?”
Jace was out of the barn and in his truck and left before Kellen could think of a sarcastic reply. If Kellen was so smart then how come he couldn’t figure out what he wanted out of his life? At one time he thought he’d be a career soldier for the Army, but his injury had derailed that plan. Then he’d decided on PT school, but he wasn’t so sure that was what he wanted to do five days a week for the rest of his life.
His horse, Lucky, nickered to him from his stall. Kellen grabbed a sugar cube and held it out in his palm. “What do you think I should do, buddy?”
Lucky nuzzled Kellen’s palm with his nose and his wet tongue scooped up the sugar cube. Kellen rubbed the horses face affectionately. When he’d lost his leg, and thought he’d be confined to a wheelchair the rest of his life, riding Lucky had been the only thing that made him feel normal.
Ever since he’d met some of the kids at Dr. Marshall’s office who had lost a limb due to cancer, Kellen had wanted to invite some of them out to the ranch to take them riding. He knew how much it had helped him, and he figured it might do the same for those kids.
Carissa, the fifteen-year-old girl who’d chucked her prosthetic leg across the room the other day was angry. She’d been on the track team, and felt like her future had been robbed. She wasn’t ready to listen to Kellen about the different kinds of prosthetics available for athletes. But maybe if she could gallop across an open field on a horse she might let go of her anger and look at the possibilities out there. Kellen had heard of other ranches that offered horseback riding as part of therapy for the disabled, and he wondered what it would take to do something like that on the GH.
Patting Lucky on the neck, Kellen left the barn and climbed into his truck, heading for his grandma’s house. He would eat lunch and then spend the next couple of hours he had free writing his English paper.
He groaned when he saw a half dozen cars parked in front of the house. He’d completely forgotten his grandma was having one of her ladies auxiliary meetings this afternoon. They were planning some lemonade tea party for the ladies of Snow Valley.
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br /> Coming in through the mudroom, he sneaked past the kitchen and climbed the stairs to his room. Before getting in the shower, he removed his prosthesis and was grateful the sight of his missing lower leg no longer made him angry. The grief still hit him, sometimes when he least expected it, but the anger was gone.
The support group he’d joined last year had helped him, and he wanted to pay it forward. Since Kellen knew he couldn’t be stuck inside an office all day, he’d decided to go into physical therapy instead of counseling. At least he’d be active, but he’d quickly learned he’d still be stuck inside.
Ranch work was what he knew and loved, but when he’d lost his leg he’d given up any hope of ever becoming a partner with George like Jace had done. But Kellen’s life changed when Caytie showed up on the ranch and basically told him to stop feeling sorry for himself.
He’d gone back to physical therapy, met with a specialist and enrolled back in college. He just wished he could combine his love of ranching, with his desire to help other amputees. The horse therapy program would do both. Now if he just had the courage to talk to someone about it. He didn’t want it to be one more thing he’d start and then not finish. Obviously, he wasn’t the first person to ever waffle about what his major would be, but he’d be done with his prerequisites after this term, and he needed to declare a major.
After drying off, and fitting his prosthesis on, he grabbed a shirt and a pair of worn out jeans. With the meeting going on downstairs, Kellen would head over to the big house to get his paper done.
His phone buzzed on the dresser, and he could see Caytie had sent him a message. Did they already know what they were having? He couldn’t believe they’d changed their minds and were telling him now. Caytie loved hosting parties, and they were having a special dinner on Saturday to make the announcement.
Kellen picked up the phone and rolled his eyes. The message wasn’t about the baby.
Dr. Taggart’s new office girl is so cute.
Another message dinged. It was a picture of the office girl whose name was Mindy. Kellen admitted to himself the blonde was pretty. He’d never tell Caytie that.
Spring in Snow Valley Page 3
