Page 30 of Wounded Cowboy
As Kelsey washed the skillet and the pasta pot, Spring packed up the leftover sauce and noodles, then loaded the dishwasher with the plates, glasses, and silverware.
“Kelsey,” he began, rearranging the lunch dishes she’d put in the dishwasher so that they were facing the correct direction.“I appreciate your help with the girls today. But we need to talk about following my plan.”
“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” she said sincerely.“I was just trying to make things easier for you and the girls.”
“I understand that, but I really need things done my way.” He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling a hundred years old.
“But kids as young as yours shouldn’t be scheduled down to the nearest fifteen minutes,” Kelsey responded with frustrating stubbornness.“They need some flexibility in their day. Maybe we could just play it by ear tomorrow and see how things go?”
Absolutely not.
Spring tried to quash his instant reaction and give her request fair consideration. But everything inside him rebelled at her suggestion to‘just play it by ear.’
“No, Kelsey. I need you to follow tomorrow’s plan, or this arrangement won’t work.” He hoped to God she wouldn’t try arguing with him.
Her shoulders slumped. She looked like a puppy he’d just kicked, and it made his insides twist with guilt.
“I’ll do my best,” she murmured.
“And check in with me during the day?” he asked, trying not to feel like an asshole for making her conform to his expectations.
“Of course.” She put the cleaned and oiled skillet back on the stovetop. At least she knew how to take proper care of cast-iron cookware.“I should be going. You’re probably tired from your long day.”
“And I still have to deal with that yellowjacket nest.” He glanced out the window at the woodpile next to the house. This close to midsummer, it wouldn’t be dark any time soon. Nighttime was the best time to deal with the wasps because they’d be in their nest, safely asleep.
Maybe he should deal with them first thing tomorrow, before the sun rose.
“I’ll see you in the morning. I’m just going to go say goodbye to the girls.” She looked subdued.
Perversely, Spring missed the cheery attitude that had irritated him earlier.
How can Kelsey be so damned happy most of the time?
He remembered when he’d been happy, too. Back then, Laura had still been alive, and they’d eaten dinner together as a family every night.
Her death had taught Spring that happiness was only an illusion.
Apparently, life hadn’t inflicted that harsh lesson on Kelsey yet. And that was a good thing.
As Spring leaned against the counter and watched Kelsey hugging his girls, he hoped she and his daughters would never find out that life was full of pain and loss.
Chapter 8
Necessary Compromises
The next morning
The rising sun painted the scatter of clouds in the eastern sky with vivid pink and orange as Kelsey walked from her cottage over to Spring’s house.
Crisp morning air filled her lungs, and she couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves in her stomach. She had no idea what Spring had planned for his daughters today, but she hoped it would be more flexible than yesterday’s rigid schedule. She’d promised Spring that she’d do her best to stick to his plan, and she was determined to keep her word.
Last night, Kelsey had filled a large, colorful shopping bag with a selection of educational games and puzzles. If Spring insisted on lessons for the girls, the least Kelsey could do was make learning fun for them.
As she approached the Spring’s house, the sun peeked over the mountains, casting a warm golden light over the ranch. Kelsey spotted Spring waiting on his porch for her, a white rectangle of paper in hand.
Great.She took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face while steeling herself for whatever plan he planned to inflict on her today.
“Morning,” Spring greeted her. He eyed her shopping bag, then handed her a single sheet of paper.
