Rachel's Cowboy (13 page)

“I’ve got to go to work.”

Rachel looked up from her breakfast to see J.D. standing in the kitchen doorway. A very sick-looking J.D. She motioned to Bluey, who dropped his fork atop his stack of pancakes the moment he saw his boss.

“No, J.D., it’s Sunday,” he said. “There’s no work.”

“And no church, either,” Rachel added. “You’re sick with the flu. You need to be back in bed.”

He held his arm up as if to hold her off as she rose from her chair. “No, I…” He never finished the words, but started to sway. Rachel and Bluey ran and braced each side of the big man. He was sinking fast.

“But my breakfast…”

Leave it to a cowboy to want food,
Rachel thought. “If you’re hungry, I’ll bring you some plain pancakes, but you’ve got to get back to bed.”

Bluey gripped him around the waist and assisted him out of the kitchen.

In no time Rachel had a plate of pancakes and some Gatorade on a tray, and was heading to J.D.’s room. She
was grateful that Bluey had looked in on Madge earlier and taken care of her.

Once she reached J.D.’s bedroom, she moved a chair beside his bed. She didn’t want to sit on the bed with him. That was too intimate. She looked down at him and noticed his eyes were closed. “J.D., are you awake?”

He muttered something.

Against her better judgment she used the opportunity to stare at him. His wavy brown hair dipped over his forehead like melting chocolate, and she fought the urge to wipe it away. His jaw was strong and sculpted, the perfect frame for perfectly shaped lips. How well she remembered how they felt against hers, hot, firm, soft. She looked down at the column of his neck and further…but the sheet blocked her view. Tempted though she was, she resisted pulling it down and feasting her eyes on his body.

She was here to feed the man. Nothing else.

“I have your breakfast, J.D. Open your mouth and I’ll give you a bite.”

To her surprise he followed her orders, but he didn’t open his eyes. She slipped in a bite, and as soon as he tasted it, he looked at her. “That’s good,” he said faintly.

Her heart nearly stopped when she caught sight of his tongue peeking out to swipe at an errant crumb on his lower lip. That tongue had done such wonderful things to her—

“I—I’m glad you like it,” she said, stirring herself from her erotic reverie. She gave him another bite, then offered him a drink. To help him, she wrapped an arm around his neck and raised his head, feeling the heat
coming off his body. She figured by now her own body temperature was probably just as scorching.

After he’d eaten a few more bites, she told him to rest, that he’d probably had enough. Being so near him, touching him, looking at him in his bed—it was too much for her.

In the seconds it took her to move the chair and grab her tray, he’d fallen back asleep.

She knew it was a mistake, but she leaned over and kissed him. just on the forehead.

“Love you, too,” he muttered. Or at least she thought that was what he said.

As much as she wanted to believe he was talking to her, she figured he was delirious with fever and had no idea who she was. Probably Madge.

But a girl could dream, couldn’t she?

When she entered the kitchen she walked straight to the sink. Not to wash her hands of germs, but to sprinkle cold water on her face and neck. It was the closest she was getting to the proverbial cold shower.

Did she have it that bad? she asked herself. The man was sick and she was panting over him….

Before she started to talk to herself, she noticed Bluey nursing a cup of coffee at the table.

“How’d he do?” he asked.

“Surprisingly well. But we’ll see if he can keep it down.”

He gave her a crooked grin. “Be a right shame if he lost those delicious pancakes. You know I can’t hardly believe you didn’t know much about cookin’ before you got here.”

“Thanks, but it’s all Madge’s doing. She’s a wonderful teacher. Even if I messed up, she made me feel good about my effort.”

“Yeah, that’s Madge. She demands a lot of herself but she forgives everyone else.”

Rachel smiled. “Good quality in a wife, wouldn’t you say?”

Bluey laughed and agreed. Then he pushed back his chair. “Much as I’d like to sit and shoot the breeze with you, I’ve got men to see to down at the bunkhouse.”

“And I’ve got chores to do.” As Bluey left the house, Rachel began tackling her to-do list. The morning passed quickly, with a few time-outs from her duties to check on her two patients.

By the time they both awoke, it was noon. She helped Madge change into a fresh nightgown and assisted her out of bed and into a comfortable chair in the den.

Since Bluey wasn’t back yet, she took clean underwear into J.D.’s room.

“I thought you’d like to change,” she said in an unfamiliar voice. “You know, get out of your sweaty clothes.” Her mind was in overdrive, already envisioning stripping off his T-shirt and revealing his naked chest.

With what looked like all the strength he could muster, J.D. reached out and yanked the clean laundry from her hands, leaving her feeling cheated. “I can manage,” he said hoarsely.

Rachel nodded and left the room, standing in the hall outside his door, waiting and listening. When he hadn’t
come out in five minutes, she knocked. “Are you all right?”

“I’ll be right out.”

When he opened the door a moment later, she had a big robe waiting for him, one she’d dug out of his closet. She’d bet he hadn’t worn it in years, if ever, judging by the look on his face.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“A robe. I want you to go sit in a soft chair in the den while I make your bed.”

“You don’t need to do that,” he managed to say.

“It’ll make you feel better to lie down later on clean linens,” she said as she helped him put on the robe over a pair of sweatpants. “Besides, Madge and Bluey are waiting for you to watch the game with them.” She’d heard Bluey come in a moment ago and turn on a Texas Rangers game. She knew that would get J.D. to cooperate; he loved baseball.

After she settled him in the den and got them each a bowl of soup she’d made earlier, she figured she’d tackle the linens, but J.D. had other plans.

“Sit with us. You have to eat.”

By now Rachel needed to put distance between her and J.D. She’d spent entirely too much time being too close to him this morning, and her heart was paying the price. But when Madge and Bluey insisted, too, she had no choice. She got her own bowl of soup and took a seat on the opposite side of the sofa. As she watched the game—or rather watched J.D. watch the game—she couldn’t recall the last time she’d enjoyed a sporting event more.

She looked around the room and couldn’t stop her mind from racing. If she ignored reality, she could almost believe she belonged here, at the ranch, with J.D. Unlike when she’d first arrived, she now could envision herself living in West Texas as a rancher’s wife. It was a far cry from modeling, but a good alternative. Here she felt like she actually made a difference.

After J.D.’s rudeness toward her about Tony’s accident, she’d thought she would be leaving. Instead, here she was, staying for another week at least, until Madge was well. But it was no sentence. Rachel relished her time here. Perhaps too much. After all, it had to come to an end sometime.

She hoisted herself off the sofa and made up J.D.’s and Madge’s beds. When she returned to the den, she told Bluey, “It’s time to get these guys back to bed. We don’t want them to overdo it.”

Once they had the patients settled in their rooms, Rachel ambled into the kitchen to wash their bowls and figure out what to make for dinner. As she was looking through Madge’s recipes, Bluey came in.

“I can’t believe you made my bed and did my laundry. Rachel, you’re trying to do too much,” he declared.

She smiled at him. “I’m just trying to accomplish what Madge does every day.”

“She is amazing, isn’t she?” he agreed.

Rachel thought his partiality toward Madge was so romantic. If she ever had anyone who loved her as Bluey loved Madge, she knew she’d be very happy.

But obviously that wasn’t in the cards for her. At least not with J.D. Stanley.

She smiled at Bluey. “Yes, she is, and you’re a lucky man.” She turned her attention back to the recipes. “I thought I’d make this pasta dish tonight. It’s plain enough for J.D. and Madge to eat.”

Bluey agreed and they worked on the casserole together. In short order they were done. “Look at that,” he remarked. “We still have time for a game of gin rummy.”

“You play gin?” Rachel asked, surprised.

“Sure do. We play in the bunkhouse for high stakes. But you and I’ll play for who does the dishes after dinner.”

“Gladly,” she said with a laugh.

Playing cards was exactly the kind of activity that relieved Rachel’s tension and got her mind off her situation. The game was even until they got close to the end. Then Bluey made a circumspect move.

“Bluey, you fake! You lost on purpose!”

He feigned an innocent look. “You don’t think I
like
to do dishes, do you?”

Rachel had to laugh at his expression. “How ’bout we do them together?”

“You’re on.” Bluey stacked the cards and put them away so they could set the table. But first he went to check on J.D. and Madge.

Rachel sat at the table, thinking about how much she’d miss this kitchen and Madge and Bluey. She’d even miss J.D., though she’d trained herself not to think about him. At least she had after her first visit to the ranch.

She’d have to start all over again once she left again.
And it would be more difficult. Last time, she’d spent only three days with J.D. on the ranch. Now she’d spent weeks here. She’d learned to ride and to cook. A sadness invaded her as she faced the future.

“They’re still sleeping,” Bluey announced as he entered the kitchen, drawing Rachel from her depressing thoughts.

“Oh, good.”

“Is anything wrong, Rachel?” he asked.

“No, of course not. How’s the weather outside? And how many cowboys are going to ride out tomorrow?”

“Six plus me. We’re almost back to normal. And there’s no rain in the forecast. You rode under the worst circumstances, Rachel, and you never complained at all. I was impressed.”

“I complained…about J.D. He sort of apologized, but he still said Tony’s accident was my fault.”

“Did you ever think that he can’t get past how attractive you are because he’s so attracted to you?” Bluey asked with a grin.

“Nice try, Bluey, but he’s always made it clear he’s not interested in me. At least not permanently.”

“But, Rachel—” Bluey began. However, he was immediately distracted by Madge’s voice.

“Madge is awake,” he announced as he ran from the kitchen.

Rachel smiled at his devotion. Madge was a lucky woman.

She went to check on J.D. because she had nothing else to do, but he was still sleeping. Rachel quietly closed his door and moved to Madge’s room, where she
heard her and Bluey whispering quietly to each other. Rachel didn’t want to intrude so she headed back to the kitchen.

Bluey returned shortly. “Madge thinks she’s strong enough to come to the table. She wants you to help her with her robe.”

“Are you sure, Bluey? We don’t want her to overdo it.”

“You go argue with her. I can’t change her mind.”

She left Bluey grinning in the kitchen and went to Madge’s room. “Are you sure you should get up?” she asked.

“Just for a little while. I think it’s because I’ve been able to keep things down. It makes me stronger.”

“I hope so. Okay, for a little while. But the minute you start feeling bad, you let us know and we’ll get you back to bed.” Rachel helped Madge into her robe and kept her arm around her until she got her to a chair at the table.

“I don’t know where Bluey went. He was here when I—”

They both turned to look at the door to the hallway when they heard noises. Bluey came into view with J.D. leaning on his shoulder.

“I guess it’s time to serve dinner,” Rachel said. She pulled out the casserole that she’d left in the warm oven and set it on hot pads on the table. Then she put rolls in the oven to heat.

In minutes they’d all sat down to eat together.

“Smells good,” J.D. said, casting her a sincere look.

As they ate, Rachel and Bluey kept a close eye on
their patients. When they heard a knock on the back door, Bluey and Rachel exchanged a quick look. She pushed back her chair. “I’ll see who it is.”

She walked through the porch to the door and opened it to see a young blond woman dressed in tight jeans and an even tighter T-shirt.

“Yes?”

“Who are you?” the woman snapped.

“What can I help you with?” Rachel asked with determination.

“I’m here to see J.D., of course!”

“I’m afraid he isn’t feeling too well. If you’ll give me your name, I’ll have him call you when he’s better.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. He’ll want to see me.”

“No, he won’t. He’s sick.”

“He’ll want to see me,” the woman said insistently. “After all, he’s my fiancé.”

Rachel stared at the young woman, in momentary shock. Then her manners kicked in. She stepped back and waved her hand. “Come in.”

The woman followed her to the kitchen.

Since Rachel didn’t know her name, she said, “J.D.’s fiancée is here.”

“What?” Bluey asked in surprise.

“No, she’s—” Madge never finished what she intended to say because she made a mad dash to the bathroom.

As if he finally realized what Rachel had said, J.D. opened his mouth to speak, but instead followed Madge.

Rachel and Bluey helped them back to their beds. After J.D. was settled, Rachel came back to the kitchen to find the so-called fiancée still waiting. The blonde hadn’t moved. She stood in the kitchen with an annoyed look on her face, as if angry that she’d been abandoned. Her makeup was flawless, and Rachel decided this woman could be a model herself.

She believed the woman had lied about being J.D.’s
fiancée, but she wasn’t going to call her on it. Things could be straightened out later—between her and J.D.

Instead, she said, “I trust you believe me now when I say that J.D. is sick and can’t deal with visitors at present—even his fiancée.” She put her hands on her hips and stared at the guest.

“Well, tell him I came to see him.”

“Of course. Unfortunately, I don’t know your name.”

“J.D. will know,” she said, her tone taunting.

Rachel followed her out on the porch, wanting to make sure she left. Just as they reached the door, the visitor turned and looked at her again. In a sneering voice, she said, “You never said who
you
are.”

Rachel was in a feisty mood. She stared at the young woman and then said, “Oh, I’m his
other
fiancée!” Then she closed the door in the blonde’s shocked face.

“I’ll pay for that,” she muttered to herself, “but I enjoyed saying it, anyway.”

Bluey was in the kitchen again. “You talking to yourself?”

“Yes, I was, Bluey. Does that mean I’m going crazy?”

He shook his head. “I hope not, ’cause I do it, too. Did Stacy leave?”

“Is that her name? She never introduced herself other than to say she’s J.D.’s fiancée.”

Bluey grinned. “She wishes. She’s been chasing after J.D. for a year. He took her out a few times, but then, about the time you came, he wouldn’t have anything to do with her anymore.”

Rachel would have liked to read into Bluey’s words
that J.D. had remained faithful to her. But that was ridiculous. They parted without any commitments and hadn’t spoken to each other for six months. More than likely he must have just gotten fed up with Stacy.

“What did she say to you before she left?” Bluey asked.

“Not much. I just got her out of the house and shut the door. She’ll probably complain to J.D. the next time she talks to him.”

“Don’t worry about it. He’ll be glad she’s gone.”

But Rachel couldn’t help wondering how he’d feel when he learned about her final remark to Stacy.

B
Y THE END OF THE WEEK
, Madge was doing much better. J.D., on the other hand, was not improving. He slept through his days, and when he did wake up, he was grumpy and confused. Rachel had never been around a worse patient.

After one session with him, Madge told Rachel she had more patience than a saint.

“No, Madge, I understand his frustration. I felt that way when I came down with pneumonia.”

“You didn’t show it, child. You were a wonderful patient.”

“But I had you as my nurse.”

“Maybe I can start helping with J.D. tomorrow. I’m feeling better every day.”

Since Madge still took frequent naps and hadn’t resumed any of her duties, Rachel said, “We’ll see. Bluey would kill me if I let you have a relapse.”

“Isn’t he wonderful?” Madge asked.

Rachel smiled at her. “He’s the best. He’s been terrific, helping me here while he’s working every day. He may be tired when he comes in, but he spends all his evenings checking on you or offering to help me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without him.”

Madge had a dreamy look in her eyes as she nodded in agreement. Then she suddenly sat up straight, clutching her coffee mug. “Bluey said Stacy came here claiming to be J.D.’s fiancée. You didn’t believe her, did you?”

“Bluey explained everything. It’s fine, Madge. Even if J.D. is engaged to her, it’s none of my business.” She tried to make sure she said those words with no emotion. But it was hard. As much as she resisted, she could feel her spine straighten involuntarily. Stacy hadn’t been back and that was just fine with her.

Madge opened her mouth to protest, but they both heard J.D. calling. “I’d better go,” Madge said, getting up and heading for J.D.’s bedroom.

Rachel remained where she was, knowing she had to start withdrawing emotionally if she was going to survive her remaining time on the ranch. Truthfully, she didn’t want to withdraw. It surprised her, but she’d discovered that she loved life out here. Even more importantly, she’d discovered that she loved J.D. But that wasn’t a surprise. She’d been in love with him ever since her first trip to the ranch. She hadn’t realized how much until after she’d mishandled that last encounter and gone away. Now she didn’t think J.D. would give her another chance.

Not that she blamed him.

But it was what she wanted more than anything in the world. She’d known that the moment she’d opened Vivian’s door to him back in Highland Park.

“J.D.’s hungry.” Madge’s voice broke into her thoughts. Futile thoughts, she told herself. There could be no future for her and J.D. The sooner she realized that, the better.

She forced a weak smile. “That’s a good sign. I’ll heat him up some soup.”

“I’ll go keep him company until you bring it in,” Madge said, already on her way to his room. “Maybe I can get him to drink a little more.”

“Thanks, Madge.”

Rachel was grateful for the help, really she was. Up till now she’d been the one feeding J.D. She’d treasured those few minutes by his bed, but she had to let Madge take over. She imagined J.D. would like it that way. And it would protect her heart.

W
HEN
M
ADGE ENTERED
his room again, J.D. swallowed his disappointment. “Where’s Rachel?” he asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

“She’s fixing your lunch. I’m going to feed you, though. She’s worked so hard, taking care of the both of us, and I’m still not able to do much. We owe her a lot.”

“She’s not getting sick, is she?” he asked anxiously.

“Not so far. She and Bluey are the only ones who have remained upright. By the way, Bluey says we’re back to full strength except for you and me.”

“We owe Bluey a lot, too. I’ll make sure I put a
good bonus in his paycheck this month. He can spend it on your honeymoon.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Madge protested. “We’re too old for such things as honeymoons.”

“You’re going to turn down my gift?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve been doing some thinking, when I’m not sleeping. I want to give you and Bluey a honeymoon as your wedding present. Wherever you want to go.”

“J.D., you can’t do that! It would cost too much.”

“Think of it as a bribe, Madge. I want you and Bluey to come back. I can’t manage without either of you.”

“Mercy, child, we’re coming back. We’ll look for a place to live nearby and—”

“What’s wrong with here? Hell, we’ve got six bedrooms. That’s not enough room for you?”

“Well, of course there’s enough room. But we didn’t know if you’d want us here.”

J.D. closed his eyes, relaxing against his pillow. “Yes, I want you here, Madge. You’re my family, and I think family should stick together. Will Bluey mind?”

“I don’t think so. He’s moving back to the bunkhouse to make sure there isn’t any talk about us, you know, anticipating our wedding vows, but he liked being up here the past week or so.”

“Well, you talk with him about it. Choose whatever rooms you want. You take two rooms and make one of them your sitting room, so you two can be alone in the evenings, if you want.”

“That’s very generous of you, J.D.”

Rachel entered with his lunch tray. “What’s J.D. being generous about?” she asked.

“He’s invited me and Bluey to live here.”

“Good. I’m glad to see he’s thinking coherently.”

“When didn’t I?” he demanded, trying to sit up. He hated looking so weak in front of Rachel.

“I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. “Maybe the night your fiancée came calling.”

J.D. almost fell out of bed. “When what?” he demanded in stern tones.

Madge decided she should explain. “It was when we were both pretty much out of it. Stacy turned up and wanted to see you. Rachel told her you were sick, but she said she was your fiancée and you would want to see her.”

“Did anyone get around to telling you she’s not my fiancée?” J.D. demanded, staring at Rachel. He was careful not to let too much emotion show, or they’d suspect his feelings for Rachel. If he had the strength he’d go tell that Stacy what he thought of her antics. Couldn’t she take a hint? He’d told her bluntly that their relationship was over—not that they’d ever had one, really. He hoped Bluey had explained that to Rachel.

“Yes, don’t worry about it,” Rachel assured him, but she avoided his gaze, and he knew there was something she wasn’t telling him. But he wasn’t going to grill her in front of Madge. Besides, he didn’t have enough energy yet to do so. Maybe after he had lunch and a nap.

“Let me know if you need anything else, Madge,” Rachel said, and turned to leave. Then she looked back at J.D. “Enjoy your lunch, J.D.”

“Thanks,” he muttered, his gaze glued to the door where she disappeared.

“Lunch, J.D.,” Madge called out to him. “Come on, pay attention.”

It wasn’t easy when his mind was on one feisty brunette who seemed hell-bent on avoiding him.

B
LUEY TOLD
M
ADGE
that now that he was sleeping in the bunkhouse again, he should eat dinner there, too.

She protested at once. “I don’t see why. You eat breakfast with them. I think I deserve your company during dinner. I don’t get to see much of you anymore.”

“I’ll take it as a personal insult,” Rachel added. “I don’t think my cooking is that bad.”

Bluey got completely flustered. “Madge, I can’t—Rachel, of course you can— I mean— You’re being unfair!” he finally said.

Rachel took pity on him. “I was just teasing, Bluey.”

“Well, I wasn’t,” Madge said. “We’ve got plans to make. It much easier to discuss things while we’re eating. Rachel always has good ideas, and J.D. has to be consulted on some things.”

“She has a point,” Rachel said, trying to be supportive.

“I guess so,” Bluey agreed. “I can tell the boys that. They’ll understand, then.”

“You have to explain to them?” Madge questioned, showing her irritation.

“Madge, he’s under peer pressure. It’s tough,” Rachel said, this time supporting Bluey, now that Madge had gained her point.

“That’s right. They rib me enough as it is,” Bluey added.

He immediately had Madge’s sympathy. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Rachel knew Madge would’ve flown into his arms if she hadn’t been there. Which made her feel like a fifth wheel. “I’ll, uh, I’ll go check on J.D. He might want to get up for dinner.” She hurried out of the kitchen. When she returned, she’d be sure to cough or make noise so she didn’t embarrass them again.

She looked in on J.D., as she’d said, but he was sleeping. With nothing else to do, she went to her bedroom. She had about fifteen minutes before she needed to return to the kitchen. As she sat there, she noted the various things in her room that told a story. The boots she’d bought so she could be a “cowgirl.” The hat Madge had loaned her while she rode for J.D. The jeans she’d bought because that was the most practical gear on a ranch.

Actions spoke louder than words, she realized. She’d been preparing for life on a ranch. It didn’t make sense. She knew she’d be going back to the city, back to the job she considered useless except for a way to earn some money.

She knew it, but she didn’t want to accept it.

“Good thing J.D. can’t see what I’m seeing,” she muttered.

She got up and put her boots in the back of the closet, stowed away her jeans and vowed to return the cowboy hat to Madge. That would keep her mind off what she wanted.

And what J.D. didn’t want.

After all, she thought sarcastically, if she stayed, the cowboys might get distracted! Heaven forbid they should learn some self-discipline.

With a sigh, she stood to go back to the kitchen.

“Rachel?” J.D. called.

She hurried to his room. His eyes were barely open.

“Yes, J.D.?”

“Is it suppertime?”

“Almost. Are you hungry?”

“Yes. I want out of this damn bed. Maybe you’d better send Bluey in here. That way I can spare your blushes.”

“I don’t remember blushing,” she told him, but she did as he asked. It was a good way to announce her return to the kitchen, too. “Bluey? J.D. needs your help.”

As he came out of the kitchen, she said, “That’s another reason you should be here in the evenings. J.D. still needs you.”

“Good thinking, Rachel. I guess I have enough reasons to stay. Thanks.”

Rachel went back into the kitchen with a smile on her face. She repeated her words to Madge and received praise in return.

“You can thank J.D.,” Rachel said. “He asked for Bluey. He said to spare my blushes, but I think it was to spare
his
.”

“I’m sure you’re right. He doesn’t remember the first few days of his illness, and that’s a good thing.”

“Yes, it is.”

Rachel got busy with dinner, trying to forget about
J.D., but she immediately began thinking of ways to make the food look more attractive to him.

J.D. managed to eat more than he had in days. Rachel even offered him dessert. “Do you think you could eat any peach cobbler?”

“Maybe just a little bit,” he said. “It’s one of my favorites.”

She set a bowl of warm cobbler down in front of him and couldn’t resist patting his shoulder. When their gazes met, however, she hurried back to the stove.