Page 6 of Wounded Cowboy
“She’s available this summer, while Kegan’s away at summer camp,” Nick chimed in.“And she’s great with kids, as you can see.”
Spring clenched his jaw, a mixture of shame and annoyance simmering beneath the surface. Was Nick implying that Spring couldn’t handle parenting his own kids?
He cast a sidelong glance at Kelsey, who was still kneeling beside Abby. Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she looked away. He felt an unexpected spark, further fueling his irritation.
“Look,” Spring said sharply, addressing both Nick and Kelsey,“I appreciate your help and your concern, but I can handle my girls just fine. I don’t need help.”
The air seemed to thicken with tension as Nick and Kelsey exchanged disbelieving looks. But neither of them argued further, respecting Spring’s refusal.
“Hey,” Nick said, raising his hands in a placating gesture.“We’re just trying to help. You know you don’t have to doeverythingby yourself, right?”
Spring suppressed a sigh, his fingers flexing instinctively around the first aid kit.
He knew Nick meant well, but the idea of admitting he needed help—especially when it came to his daughters—was a bitter pill to swallow. So, he simply nodded stiffly, acknowledging his brother-in-law’s words without truly accepting them.
“Come on, girls,” he said gruffly.“Say thank you to Ms. Kelsey. Then let’s go back home and get some sweaters and coloring books before we drive to the hospital.”
He didn’t miss the longing glances April and Abby shot Kelsey before obediently thanking her.
As the three of them walked away, Spring could feel the weight of Kelsey’s gaze on his back. He fought against the urge to turn around and look at her. Instead, he focused on the warmth of his daughters’ hands in his.
He didn’t need her help, dammit! He had it under control.
What would Laura think if I foisted off my parental duties on someone else?
Chapter 2
High Noon at The Yummy Cowboy Diner
Downtown Snowberry Springs
The next day
Why did Abigail Snowberry insisted on inviting me here for lunch?Kelsey wondered.
The older woman had been insistent that they meet in town rather than somewhere on the Snowberry Springs Ranch where they both lived.
Kelsey tucked a flyaway lock of hair behind her ear and took a deep breath before pushing open the diner’s old-fashioned glass door.
Inside, the freshly renovated dining room featured barn wood wainscoting, with the upper part of the walls painted a soft sage color. Looking around, Kelsey wondered whether Nick or Winnie had had any input in the diner’s design.
Behind the quartz-topped breakfast bar, an antique pharmacy counter with dozens of drawers stood against the back wall, with a shiny chrome espresso maker and a vintage seafoam-green milkshake machine placed side by side. Open shelving stacked with cups, glasses, and plates lined the backbar wall, along with several framed photographs of the diner’s former and current owners, including Summer Snowberry’s engagement and wedding photos.
“Ah, there you are, dear!” Abigail called from the long banquette that ran along the wall opposite the breakfast bar.
“Hello, Mrs. Snowberry,” Kelsey said with her warmest smile as she pulled out a chair and seated herself at the table across from the Snowberry family’s formidable matriarch.“Thanks for treating me to lunch.”
As she picked up one of the small printed menus, she noticed the tabletop featured a collage of old Snowberry Springs newspaper clippings and advertisements under a protective layer of clear Plexiglas. It was a charming touch.
“Oh, it’s my pleasure,” Abigail said, returning Kelsey’s smile with one of similar wattage. She added,“I was hoping we could talk privately. Without the rest of the family around.”
By picking your granddaughter’s restaurant?Kelsey thought, but didn’t say out loud.
In the nearly two years she’d been living in this small town, she’d figured out there were very few secrets. Everyone seemed to know everyone else’s business. It was mostly charming, but occasionally irritating.
“Oh?” Now Kelsey was on alert.
She occasionally attended the Snowberry family’s Sunday dinners, and she’d seen Abigail in action as the strong-willed old woman sweetly manipulated her grandkids and great-grandkids to do exactly what she wanted.
