One Stubborn Cowboy (18 page)

He was puzzled. Could it be the scars really didn't repulse her? That they weren't as bad as Althea had made him think? But as he turned to get out of bed, he knew it didn't matter. He still wasn't a whole man. Reaching for the crutches, he felt his mood turn black. He didn't need her presence around him to show him what he was missing. What he would always miss.

Kelly walked out to the barn, her spirits high. She loved him! She doubted she'd even notice the scars in the future. They weren't as awful as he'd led her to believe, and they really didn't matter. They were a part of Kit and she accepted him as he was. Loved him as he was. She hesitated when that thought, crashed through her. It was a mistake. He'd never given any indication he wanted anything more from her than protection from Althea. Temporary protection, at that.

She walked on. It didn't matter. One couldn't dictate who to love and who not to. She'd love him the best she could and if nothing came of it, she'd still have memories to cherish.

Could she make him love her? Make him want her so badly he'd do anything she wanted? Like consider marriage?

Whew, slow down, she thought. That would scare him into the next county. Her thoughts churning, she had a hard time giving her full attention to the lesson.

Kit patiently showed Kelly how to hitch the pony to the cart, and how to unhitch him. They practiced over and over until Kelly could manage it on her own without any prompting. If he was exasperated by her slowness, he gave no sign. He was patient and encouraging as he taught her what she needed to know.

"Now take him by the halter and lead him around a bit, get him used to pulling it," Kit said when he was satisfied she could hitch Sam correctly.

He leaned back against the corral fence and watched as she led Sam out of the barn and around the yard. Sam followed docilely at first, but then he grew fitful, kicking out his hind legs, trying to dislodge his unusual burden.

"Whoa, honey, it's okay." Kelly stopped, patted him and talked softly to him until he calmed down. Then she started again. A few more steps and Sam reared, prancing, trying to dislodge the cart.

"Hold on to him, Kelly, don't let him pull away. He'll get used to it," Kit called.

So the pattern repeated. They'd walk a few steps, then Sam would try to escape. Kelly quieted him, started again.

"That's enough for today," Kit called after two complete turns around the yard without any problem. He came over. "I'll hold him while you unhitch him. Good boy, Sam, you'll be pulling this in no time." Kit's large hands gently rubbed the pony's face, and his voice was soft.

"Will he really pull it?" she asked, discouraged.

"Sure, if you keep working with him until he no longer gives you any trouble. Then you can try riding in the cart. He'll get used to it in no time."

Kelly maneuvered the cart to the side of the barn, out of the way of the ranch work, while Kit led Sam to the corral. He opened the gate and let the pony in, leaning on the closed gate and watching the horses. Kelly joined him, peering through the bars, her glance going once or twice to Kit.

"You should try riding."

"I told you I can't." His voice was hard.

"The doctors said you wouldn't walk, if I heard what you said. You proved them wrong. Why not prove yourself wrong and ride a horse? Not some wild stallion that you might have ridden in a rodeo, but a nice quarter horse that has been trained and knows what he's doing."

"You're knowledgeable about horses all of a sudden."

"We livestock owners know a bit," she said audaciously.

He smiled as a surge of longing swept through him like a tidal wave. He wanted to ride again, yearned to ride. To feel a horse between his legs, to know the freedom of crossing the open land, feeling he was an equal partner with his brother in working the ranch, and not a glorified paper pusher. But he'd put that dream away, along with others, after the accident.

Didn't she know that just wishing for things didn't make them happen? Hell, the doctors had wanted more operations, offering a slim chance of more mobility. But he couldn't take the pain and false hope they tried to peddle. He'd accepted his limitations. She had to, as well.

He turned toward the house, then looked down at her. "Clint and Sally are back."

Kelly turned at the sound of the truck. Their idyllic afternoon was over.

"I guess I'll go," she said with one last look at Sam.

"Stay for dinner," he suggested.

"No. I don't think so." She stood beside him, not wanting to leave, but not wanting to share him with his brother and Sally.

"Come again," he said softly.

She flushed at the double meaning and nodded, afraid to meet his gaze.

"I'll work with Sam. I can't wait to ride in the cart. That will be such fun." She reached up to give him a quick kiss.

His hand reached around her hips and drew her up against him, pressing into her so she would know he wanted her again. He deepened the kiss and held her against him for endless time.

Kelly didn't realize she had her arms around his neck until he slowly pulled back and she felt the tug in her shoulders. His eyes were dark and mysterious, his mouth infinitely precious. She licked her moist lips and trailed her tongue along her lower lip.

He groaned and caught it with his, kissing her again.

"If you don't leave soon, I won't let you leave at all," he said, moving his lips against hers, his breath brushing over her face.

"Hey, you two, break it up. Your chaperons have arrived."

Kelly smiled shyly at Kit and turned to see Sally's beaming face.

"Thought you said you were going to show her how to hitch the cart," Sally said to Kit as she and Clint drew near.

"We did. Just finished. I was rewarding Kelly for a job well done." His eyes flashed down at her and he grinned.

"How'd it go?" Clint asked.

"He's skittish. But I think with work, he'll settle in just fine," Kit replied.

Sally looked between the two of them, as if trying to see what else might have transpired in her absence.

Kelly climbed into her car a few moments later, her face stiff from keeping a smile in place. It was a strain being around Clint and Sally when all she wanted was to be alone with Kit.

And she didn't know what to do about Kit. She had not expected to fall in love. She had no contingency plan to help her out. She'd agreed to help him just to save face at the dance. Now her gesture had exploded into far more. Yet he hadn't given any indication he felt anything toward her but gratitude for her help. And gratitude was a poor substitute for love.

* * *

For the next few days Kelly returned to the ranch to work with Sam. Kit, Clint and Sally were there on Sunday, but during the week Kit was out and Kelly worked with the pony alone.

Wednesday Sam did so well, Kelly decided to try riding. Gingerly she climbed into the cart. Gathering the reins, one in each hand, she urged him forward. Sam turned his head and looked over his shoulder as if asking what she was doing there.

"Get up," she said again, gently slapping his rump with the reins. Gingerly he picked up his feet and began walking. Kelly was delighted. She laughed aloud and looked proudly around as they circled the house. Pulling him to a stop near the kitchen door, she called for Sally.

"Oh, you're in the cart. What fun."

"Will he pull two?" Kelly asked dubiously.

"Try and see. Should." Sally climbed in beside her.

Kelly gave the command and Sam picked right up. They went around the house twice, Kelly and Sally giggling in delight. It was a lot of fun, and Kelly couldn't wait until she could go farther afield with her little pony.

"Wait until I tell Kit," she said proudly as she drew up by the back porch again.

"He knew the pony would pull the cart. You've worked well with Sam, Kelly." Sally was sincere in her praise. "Come in for some iced tea when you've put him away."

Still smiling broadly, Kelly turned the cart toward the barn. She'd unhitch Sam and park the cart out of the way. Maybe Kit would return before she left and she could tell him of the successful rides.

She pulled the pony to a stop and dropped the reins, rising to step down from the cart. With the reins slack, Sam started again, heading for the fresh hay he knew awaited.

Kelly lost her balance as the cart jerked forward, stumbled and fell, cracking her head on the side of the cart. She saw a sharp flash of brilliant light, then nothing.

* * *

Kit was hot and tired and in a hurry. He'd been tallying cattle on one of the far pastures and it had taken longer than expected. Kelly had been working Sam every afternoon and he wanted to get back before she left today. He'd missed her each day she'd been here since Sunday.

He took the last turn fast and headed for the farmhouse. Drawing up before the deck, he killed the engine just as Sally came running around the side of the house.

"Thank God you're here. Kelly's been hurt. She's still unconscious," she said breathlessly as she yanked open his door.

Fear pierced him as he swung down from the truck and hurried after Sally. As he rounded the house he saw Kelly lying in the dirt, the pony and cart still hitched standing in the shade of the barn.

"What happened?" he asked as he drew level with her. Without a thought, he released the crutches and sank beside Kelly, reaching out to brush her hair from her face, exposing the dark bruise and scraped skin. Sally handed him a damp cloth.

"I think she fell from the cart. Didn't secure the runs when she went to get out, probably. I didn't think to tell her about that and she obviously didn't know. She has to be all right."

"Did you call the doctor?" Kit asked, his hand on her throat. Her pulse was strong and steady. "How long has she been out?"

"Just a few minutes. I called Dr. Thornton right away. He's out but his service is tracking him down. Should we get her in the house?"

Before Kit could ask how Sally planned to accomplish such a feat, Kelly moved her head and groaned softly.

"Kelly?" He brushed her cheeks with the back of his fingers. "Kelly, wake up. Tell us how you are?"

"My head hurts, for one thing," she said crossly, her eyes still closed. "Kit?" She opened her lids a slit, wincing at the bright sunlight.

"Yes, honey. We think you fell from the cart and cracked your head. Can you see all right?"

"The light hurts my eyes. But there's only one of you. Thank God. The world couldn't handle two of you."

"You'll be fine," he said wryly. "Your mouth hasn't suffered a bit." Relief coursed through him.

"What happened?" she asked, eyes closed again.

Chapter 9

"You went to lesson C without passing lesson B first," Kit said, turning the wet cloth and pressing it against her forehead. "How're you doing?"

"Umm, that feels good. Give me a couple of aspirins and I'll feel better."

"We'll wait to hear what the doctor says. How many fingers do you see?"

"I see four, two up and two down tucked under your thumb. I'm fine, really. Just a hard knock, but I'm tough."

"Yes, so tough you almost killed yourself. Just rest here a minute. Then maybe Sally can help you into the house." Damn, he was so helpless he couldn't even help her up, much less carry her into a bed where she belonged. And she was too heavy for Sally to manage.