Page 17 of Roping Reba

Bruised, sore and defeated, I was sitting in the passenger seat of Johnny’s pickup with Jax in the back and my ornery horses in the trailer. Yes, I was now claiming them as my own because when you get your ass kicked by a wild horse, you get to. At least in my mind, I did. Heading back to Mac’s ranch hadn’t been in my plans, but neither was Johnny’s insistence that he wasn’t leaving without me. Honestly, it was Jax who’d convinced me it was time to leave Rawhide Ranch. He was visibly upset when we came back from the infirmary over me getting hurt and he had that same stubborn streak as his father. Serenity Stables had been my home base for years and it was clear with a cracked rib I was going to need to take it easy for a while. After a few days of rest at Rawhide, Doc Nelson had finally given me approval to travel. That and a miraculous group of ranchers led by Derek, Jagger, and Rooster to help load my most difficult horse and a bunch of painkillers provided by Nurse MacIntosh at the infirmary, we were on the road.

I stared out the window as we pulled up to the massive sign announcing we were at Mac’s ranch. The truck bumping over the dirt road hurt like hell, but the sight of dust kicking up around us and the rolling green pastures gave me a sense of comfort that I’d missed.

“We’re home!” Jax exclaimed from the back seat.

“Yeah, buddy, we are.”

Johnny’s smile almost did me in. The look on his face every time Jax got excited about something was one of those things I hated to admit I lived for.

“Ms. Reba, you are staying with us, right?”

“No, buddy. I’ll stay in the guest house.”

“But who will take care of you?”

I gave him a comforting look and tried to stifle my laugh. “Me. I can take care of myself, bud. I’m not hurt that bad.”

“But Papa said you were.”

I shot a look over at Johnny, and he shrugged.

“The guest house is full. I had Heidi come by and clean up one of our extra rooms. The boy is right. You’re staying with us.”

As Johnny’s truck rumbled up the long gravel driveway, I folded my arms and sank deeper into my seat, pretending like I wasn’t irritated. The wide-open land stretched before us, leading up to the ranch house I knew too damn well. The porch light cast a familiar glow, the silhouette of one of the barns visible just beyond it. I’d always loved this place. Even when I didn’t want to. But what I didn’t love was Johnny’s insistence that I stay here.

“I could stay in the bunkhouse if the guest house is full,” I muttered, side-eyeing him as he downshifted and eased the truck to a stop.

Johnny cut the engine and turned to me, giving me that stubborn look of his. “You’re still recovering, Reba. You needspace to rest, and the bunkhouse is full of rowdy hands who don’t know how to be quiet.”

“I’m fine, and I can handle a little noise.”

“Uh-huh.” He arched a brow. “That right? Because last I checked, fine people don’t walk around slouched over holding their side.”

I scowled, but before I could throw a retort back, Jax unbuckled his seatbelt and wedged himself between us, practically vibrating with excitement. “We’re home!” he said, grinning up at me. “And now I get to help take care of you, Ms. Reba!”

Damn it, how was I supposed to argue with that?

“You don’t have to take care of me, buddy. Like I said, I can take care of myself,” I tried, but Jax wasn’t hearing it.

Johnny, of course, looked smug as hell. “Told ya.”

I rolled my eyes as Jax flung open his door and hopped out, taking off toward the house like he’d never been so happy to see a front porch in his life. He had been gone for a while, so I got it. A kid likes to have their own toys, familiar surroundings and he would never admit it but his regular school routine as well. I went to unbuckle myself, but before I could move, Johnny was already around to my side of the truck, opening my door with that infuriatingly patient expression.

“You gonna let me help you out, or are you gonna be stubborn about it?”

“I can get out of a damn truck by myself.”

“Didn’t say you couldn’t. Just said I figured you shouldn't.” He held out a hand, waiting, daring me to refuse.

I wanted to. Oh, I wanted to. But my ribs still ached like hell, and my ankle was sore from where I’d hit the ground. The last thing I needed was to screw myself up worse just to prove a point. With a huff, I placed my hand in his, ignoring the warmth that shot up my arm at the contact. His grip was firm but careful,like he knew I’d rather eat dirt than admit I needed the help. The second my boots hit the dirt, I let go, but not before I caught the satisfied twitch of his lips. Smug bastard.

Jax was already up on the porch, calling back, “I’m gonna get Ms. Reba some extra pillows and a blanket! She needs to be comfortable!”

I shook my head, even as a small smile tugged at my lips. “You got a whole nurse on staff here, huh?”

Johnny chuckled. “Kid takes his job seriously.”

His voice was softer when he said it, something unreadable in his tone. I ignored the way it made my stomach flip and instead turned toward the trailer.

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