Page 69 of Heart Like a Cowboy

Good. Because Derek’s mood definitely needed some lifting. “How long will Blue be home?” Alana asked.

“Three days. He’ll miss the life celebration.” Effie paused. “Egan’s still going.”

Even though it wasn’t a question, she answered it as one. “As far as I know, he plans to be there.”

Effie’s gaze stayed locked with hers, and Alana heard the woman’s unspoken concern loud and clear. She wasn’t sure how much Effie knew about Jack’s death, but it was obvious she knew enough to worry about her eldest grandson.

There was a shuffling sound, and a few moments later, Derek came in. Alana certainly didn’t see an improved mood so she took something from her purse that she thought might give him at least a temporary high.

“Dr. Abrams said your latest cholesterol results were improving. Your low iron levels, too. So, I thought you’d like to add a few treats to your diet.”

She handed him the printout that included some recipes for marginally indulgent cookies and suggestions for items he could have from the menus at the diner and the Sweet Tooth. Alana gave copies to Effie and Maybell since they’d likely be the ones to actually make the cookies or take Derek to the ice-cream shop.

Derek sat at the table and glanced over the sheet. Emphasis on glance. Apparently, he wasn’t eager for any new treats.

“I’m worried about Egan,” Derek came out and said, and since he was looking directly at Alana, the comment was meant for her. “I was hoping you’d tell me what’s going on with him. And what’s going on between you and him.”

“Uh, Effie and I need to take some of this baked stuff out to the hands,” Maybell suddenly remarked.

Effie quickly agreed, and they were clearly heading out so that Derek and she could have this chat in private. Alana waited until the women had gathered up some of the plastic containers and left before she said anything to Derek.

“Have you talked to Egan about what’s going on with him?” Alana asked.

Derek nodded. “He sugarcoats everything because he doesn’t want me to worry, but the sugarcoating makes me worry even more.”

“Fair enough,” she muttered. “But I wouldn’t feel right spilling—”

“Is he burning bridges with his career so he can be here at the ranch?” Derek interrupted.

Alana chose her words carefully. “I think he’s finding the right balance.”

Derek stared at her as if trying to decide if more sugarcoating was coming from her. But then he nodded. “I just don’t want to hold him back. But I need him,” he added in a mutter.

“And he needs you and this ranch,” she assured him. But what she wouldn’t spell out was that Egan needed his job as well.

“Egan’s burning the candle at both ends,” Derek said under his breath.

Again, Alana had a debate with how much to say. Or not say. “But that’s temporary, right? I mean, down the road you’ll be able to do some of the things you used to do.”

“Down the road,” he repeated without a whole lot of conviction.

She heard the doubt in his voice that even if he did return to duty in some way, it wouldn’t be the same. Of course, it wouldn’t be. His heart had been damaged, and Dr. Abrams had made it clear that Derek wouldn’t be able to do 100 percent again.

“Egan’s worked up this schedule,” Derek went on. “A calendar of when his brothers and sister will be here. I think he did that to take some of the guilt off me. More sugarcoating,” he concluded.

Alana thought it was more than that. Egan was trying to find that elusive balance. And there was something that might help with that.

“Have you thought of hiring an office manager?” she asked.

Since Derek showed absolutely no surprise over that question, she had to believe he had considered it. And dismissed it. Maybe because he’d been hoping for a miracle recovery.

“Oh, well,” she quickly added, “maybe that’s something Egan, Jesse and you can discuss.”

“Maybe,” Derek muttered in that same lack of conviction. He lifted the paper she’d given him. “Thanks for this,” he said, getting up. “I think I’m going to head back upstairs for a quick rest.”

She debated offering to help him to his room, but he made a waving gesture with his hand that seemed to dismiss any such offer. On a sigh, Alana went out the back door, intending to find Maybell and Effie and let them know about thatquick rest. However, she didn’t see them but rather Egan. He was already out of his truck and making his way to the house.

The smile he gave her warmed her all the way to her toes.

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