Page 5 of Healing Her Cowboys
“Oh, you’re serious when you bring out the medical terms.”
“I am serious. I need to find a real man offline who won’t have a heart attack by being with me. I’m done with these damn dating apps. Men are either disgusting or immature when they hit me up. It’s pathetic.”
“Since I’ve sworn off dating, I can’t help you there.” Unlike Nina, Reese wanted nothing to do with romantic relationships. After her ex of five years cheated on her, she was through. Work became her main focus, and she didn’t want it any other way.
“You’re intentionally celibate. I haven’t chosen to go without a man, but I do refuse to sleep with idiots and assholes.”
Reese laughed and felt a bit more relaxed because of her bestie. “That sounds like a solid plan.”
“Now, about your cowboys.”
“They’re not my cowboys. I’m going to be working there, Nina. I don’t sleep with my patients.”
“But it’s a ranch. There must be other cowboys who need nursing of a different kind.”
An odd yet erotic image popped into Reese’s head, and she almost swerved off the road. “Stop it! Saying weird shit is going to make me have an accident, so behave yourself.”
“That’s asking for the impossible.”Nina chuckled through the line. “Did you imagine one of those handsome cowboys sucking on your untouched boobies?”
“Oh, my God!” Reese said. “You can’t just say random sex things while I’m in the car. What if someone heard you?” She still looked around, hoping none of her car windows were down.
Nina scoffed. “Then they heard me. I was right, wasn’t I? You thought it.”
Reese was not confirming or denying a single thing. She remained silent and focused on the GPS.
“Not talking says all I need to know,” Nina said.
“You know what? It’s time for me to get off the phone with your crazy ass before you embarrass me.”
“Don’t act like you don’t love me. After twelve years, you should be used to my type of crazy.”
“I don’t think anyone can get used to Nina Bara. Not without a drink first.”
“On that note, it’s time for me to give my patient his meds.”
“Must be nice working for a rich client on the side.”
“When they’re rich, they’re only bossier. I got to go, girl. Love ya!”
“Love you too!”
Reese felt calmer as she turned at the entrance next to the sign that saidColonial Hearts Ranch. Nina was always a lifesaver when Reese needed one, and she needed the wild talk to calm her mind.
She should have been miles away from Virginia, but the favor to May loomed over her as she drove to her new patient’s residence.
As she drove down the long driveway, she realized her parents would have loved the idea of her working on a ranch. They were fans of nature. It was the same force of nature that took them from her in a boating accident eleven years prior.
Now, at thirty-two, she still missed them just as much.
She blinked quickly to push back the tears that threatened to break through. It wouldn’t be a good look for her if she cried the first day on the job.
As she got closer to the main house, she took in blue and white paint on the house and barn that paired well with the green grass and changing leaves in the distance. There was even a large swing on the wraparound porch that swayed with the small breeze in the air. It was like something you only found in a landscape painting. Even though she wanted out of Hampton Roads, she couldn’t deny that the place had a beautiful charm to it.
The warmth from the sun invigorated her as she stepped out of her car. She stood there for a moment to enjoy the serenity of it all. It was hard to break the peace she felt as she headed to the front door of the main house.
Before she could even deliver a knock, the door swung open to reveal a man who towered over her five-foot-ten inches. He had a handsomely rugged look only deepened by his uncut hair and five o’clock shadow. Even with his navy button-down shirt, she could see the strength in his muscles pressing through the material.
Something deep inside her tightened, but she tried to remain professional. When he finally spoke to her in a voice deep enough to melt panties off in seconds, she lost all chances of that ever happening.
