The Doctor's Cowboy Read online

  Wyatt ran his hand down over his face. “That’s not an option.”

  “You’ve got to meet me partway.”

  He fixed his gaze on hers. “I can’t. There isn’t anyone, no family, no one who isn’t on the road.”

  Wyatt seemed so matter-of-fact that it broke her heart. She still had a hole where her mother had been, but she couldn’t imagine having no one, not a single soul to take care of her when she couldn’t take care of herself. She’d never known anyone that alone, and she was helpless to stop the sudden urge to do something about it.

  Before she could consider how crazy it sounded, she said, “Then I guess you’re coming home with me.”

  * * *

  WYATT STARED AT the doctor, wondering if he’d passed out somewhere back in the hospital and was imagining this entire conversation. “What?”

  Chloe looked surprised by her own words but then leaned back and stretched out her arms along the back of the bench. “If you’re not going to behave and stay here then you have to stay somewhere until you’re really able to be on your own.”

  “So you’re offering to take a man you barely know to your home?”

  She smiled. “I’m pretty sure you’re no threat to me in your current condition.”

  He shook his head. “You’ve got to work.”

  “Yes, I do, which is why you’ll do exactly what I say.”

  “Anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy?”

  “Frequently.”

  “I appreciate your offer, but I need to get on the road.”

  “To where?”

  He had no idea, and from the look on her face she knew that. She was too damn perceptive. “California. There’s a rodeo in a couple of weeks. I’ll get there, rest, then be ready to ride.”

  “Seriously? You think you’re going to be able to ride a bull in two weeks?”

  “I’ll see when the time comes.”

  “Listen, I know you rodeo riders are all tough guys, ride injured and all that macho stuff. But your injuries aren’t something a little tape and some ibuprofen can fix. You ride anytime soon and you’re risking even more extensive damage than you had this time.”

  “I can’t just sit around doing nothing. I’ve got to work.”

  “I know it sucks, but that doesn’t change the facts. You get on a bull anytime in the near future, and you will regret it.”

  Wyatt typically kept his emotions inside, but at the moment he wanted nothing more than to scream. Damned if he could see another way out of his current situation. Despite his assertion that he’d be okay on his own, already the pain in his middle was worse than when he’d nearly collapsed onto the bench. He hated to depend on anyone else. Too often they failed you when you needed them most. But this was temporary, and there were worse places to stay than at the home of one very pretty doctor.

  “Fine, but I earn my keep.”

  She shook her head once. “I’ve had my share of stubborn patients before, but you’re rushing right to the top of the list. You’ll earn your keep by resting, getting better so you don’t end up right back here. I mean, I know it’s your favorite place—”

  He held up a hand. “I get the point.”

  “Finally.” Then she smiled, and something inside him did an odd little flip.

  “I guess at least I’ll have a chance to beat you in our Scrabble game.”

  “Yeah, not gonna happen.”

  Though his pain level was ratcheting up by the second, he smiled.

  “If I leave you sitting here, am I going to get a call in two minutes that you’re hobbling your way down Main Street?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Chloe stood. “That’s more like it. I’ll take care of all the discharge paperwork and get you some medicine for the pain.”

  He wanted to deny he was hurting, but he knew she’d be able to tell he was lying. If he knew anything about Chloe Brody, it was that she was good at her job. And so dedicated that she was willing to take a virtual stranger home to make sure he healed to her satisfaction.

  * * *

  “YOU’RE DOING WHAT?” Sophie asked a few minutes later as Chloe filled out the necessary paperwork to release Wyatt from the hospital.

  “It’s no big deal. He has nowhere to go, no one to take care of him while he gets better.”

  “So you’re taking him home with you? I was right, wasn’t I? You’ve got the hots for him.”

  “Oh, don’t be silly. I’m his doctor. I wouldn’t be a very good one if I allowed him to do himself further injury, would I?”

  Sophie leaned her hip against the side of the desk inside the nurses’ station. “I think Verona got to you, made you realize you had the perfect man right under your nose.”

  “I swear there is something weird in the water around here.” Chloe propped one hand on her hip. “He’s been here a few days. Verona hasn’t even met him. No one could possibly know whether he’s perfect for anyone. All we know is that he is a bull rider, easily bored, plays a decent game of Scrabble and is contrary.”

  “And he’s good-looking.”

  “You have a one-track mind.”

  “Well, he is.”

  Chloe rolled her eyes and signed the last of the discharge forms.

  “Really, Chloe. I don’t know any other doctor who would take a patient home with them.”

  “Well, I don’t make a habit out of it, but what am I supposed to do? From what I can tell, he’s got no family to take care of him.” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Wyatt hadn’t by some miracle wandered back inside. “Guys like him, they pretty much live winning paycheck-to-winning paycheck. And if they can’t ride or are on a losing streak, things can get pretty thin. Owen said he knew a roper who was so down on his luck that he was living in a tent.”

  Sophie shook her head. “That’s it. I didn’t even think.”

  “What?”

  “He asked me to get a printout of his bill this morning. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “No, it’s not your fault. He probably had a good idea it was a sizable amount already or he wouldn’t have asked for it. Plus, I think he’s just at his limit for being in here.”

  He certainly wasn’t the first patient to check himself out because he couldn’t stand the inside of the hospital anymore. If she had unlimited funds at her disposal, she would design and build a new type of hospital that felt more like being at home with movies at the push of a button, gaming systems, big windows with beautiful views. But she didn’t have that kind of dough, so it was a waste of time dreaming about it. She’d be happy if people just took better care of themselves so they wouldn’t have to go into the hospital in the first place.

  After taking care of Wyatt’s discharge, she hurried back to the clinic to get her purse and to tell Jenna to either reschedule her remaining appointments or shift them to Dr. Hershel or Dr. Carrington.

  “What’s going on?”

  Chloe pressed her palm against her forehead, wondering if she were crazy for what she was about to do. “Long story. I’ll tell you later, or Sophie can catch you up. I’ll be back in the morning.”

  “Okay.”

  Not giving herself time to think that perhaps she was making a mistake, Chloe headed for her car. She thought about calling her dad or one of her brothers to give them a heads-up but imagined how that conversation would go. So, yeah, she was just going to show up with an injured stranger in tow. After all, her family was less likely to balk if Wyatt were already there.

  When she pulled around to the ER entrance, she was glad to see Wyatt was still upright. By the time she got out of the car, he was already on his feet and about to bend over to grab his bag.

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” she said as she hurried up next to him. “No bending or picking up a
nything over five pounds.”

  “I’m not an invalid.”

  “And you’re not in top shape, either. Remember, the deal is you do what I say.”

  Wyatt made a sound of frustration deep in his throat, and Chloe had to turn away to hide her smile.

  When she got him in the car, she tossed his bag into the backseat before rounding to the driver’s side. “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. For some reason, I missed my lunch break.”

  “Probably because you interrupted someone’s clean getaway.”

  She laughed. “That had to be the slowest getaway ever.” She couldn’t help but snort out another laugh. “I’m sorry. I know your pain isn’t funny.”

  Chloe managed to clamp down on her laughter by focusing on the street in front of her as she pulled away from the hospital.

  “I suppose it was a bit like a snail trying to make a run for it, wasn’t it?”

  Chloe lost it all over again and only got her laughter under control when she pulled up in front of the Primrose Café. “So, you want fried chicken or brisket?”

  “Brisket. Look in my bag. My wallet is in there.”

  She waved away his suggestion.

  “I can pay for my own lunch,” he said, his laughter gone. “I’m not a charity case.”

  “I’m aware. I’ll make you a deal. When you get better, you buy me lunch.”

  “Who’s being stubborn now?”

  She smiled at him, something she realized was easy to do. “You must be rubbing off on me.” Before he could argue further about who was picking up the tab, she hopped out of the car and hurried across the street.

  After she ordered, her gaze landed on the pie offerings for the day. “Add a couple slices of lemon pie to that, Daisy.”

  “You got it.”

  “The hospital cafeteria not hitting the spot today?”

  Chloe did her best to paste on an expression of casual normalcy before she glanced over to find Verona standing next to her. She leaned a little toward the older woman. “It’s mystery meat day.” She threw in a shudder for effect.

  Daisy picked that moment to place the bag holding the obvious two containers of food along with the twin slices of pie down in front of Chloe.

  “You must have skipped breakfast,” Verona said.

  Chloe pretended not to hear as she handed the money to Daisy and said, “Keep the change.” Chances were Verona had already spotted Wyatt sitting in her car outside and was basking in the idea that her matchmaking mojo had been successful again. Even though Verona was wrong, Chloe wasn’t about to argue. Doing so would just make Verona more determined. Better not to feed the fire.

  She grabbed the bag and turned to leave. “Gotta run. Have a good afternoon.”

  “You, too.”

  Yep, there was a little too much self-satisfaction in those two words.

  “Something wrong?” Wyatt asked as she pulled out of the parking lot back onto Main Street.

  “No, why?”

  “You seemed preoccupied when you came back.”

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Work stuff.”

  “If you need to go back to work, I can just sit in the car until you’re done.”

  “No, I’m good until tomorrow morning.”

  Even though Chloe felt she was doing the right thing, and didn’t really see another option other than not caring what happened to Wyatt, a nervous flutter started in her stomach. And it got worse the closer she got to the ranch.

  “Pretty country out here,” Wyatt said, making her realize he hadn’t said anything in the past two or three miles.

  “Yeah, I’d say we lucked out and got the prettiest part of Texas. And you’re here during our best time.” She pointed out the windshield at the wildflowers lining the side of the road.

  “I saw a bus go by while you were in the café. People really pay to go on wildflower tours?”

  “Loads of them. Blue Falls’s economy revolves around wildflowers. The regular rodeos are a nice draw, too, but they’re new enough that Liam is still in building mode with them.”

  When Chloe made the turn into the ranch, she realized she wasn’t going to be able to get Wyatt settled in the house before she had to give her family the news that they were going to have a houseguest for a while. Seeing as how her brothers, dad and even Emmett, one of the ranch hands, were gathered outside the barn, it looked as if the news breaking was happening now.

  “You don’t live by yourself.” It wasn’t a question.

  “No, there’s four of us. Me, Dad and my two brothers.”

  “Do they know they’re about to have company?”

  “Nope, but don’t worry. They’ll understand.”

  At least she hoped they would. Only one way to find out.

  As she stepped out of the car, she saw her dad approaching and went to meet him.

  “You’re home early,” he said. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, just took a half day.”

  “That’s not like you.”

  For some reason, his response bothered her. Lots of people took half days on occasion. Why couldn’t she? She shook off what was most likely an imagined criticism and motioned toward the car, where Wyatt was opening his door.

  “We’re going to have a guest for a while.”

  “Oh?”

  She glanced over her shoulder in time to see the tight lines of pain on Wyatt’s face as he pulled himself to his feet. “Dad, this is Wyatt Kelley. He needs a bit more time to recuperate before he’s able to drive and be out on his own. Wyatt, this is my dad, Wayne Brody.”

  “Good to meet you, sir.”

  Her dad nodded at Wyatt then lowered his voice so that only Chloe could hear. “Isn’t that what the hospital is for?”

  “He checked himself out.”

  “So you brought him here?” Her dad’s forehead creased below his well-worn hat.

  Chloe kept her voice quiet, as well, not wanting to embarrass Wyatt. “He doesn’t have anyone, Dad. Nowhere to go, no one to help.”

  Her dad let out a long breath. “Girl, sometimes I think your heart is too big.”

  “What’s going on?”

  Chloe looked past her dad to where Garrett and Owen were approaching.

  “Your sister’s brought home a guest.”

  She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Wyatt had made his way to the front of her car, but looked as if he might pass out at any moment. Before she could say anything else, Wyatt extended his hand toward Garrett.

  “Wyatt Kelley. Sorry to intrude like this, but your sister refused to believe I’d be fine on my own.”

  Chloe caught herself right before assuring him that he wouldn’t. It was one thing to say it when it was just him and her, another entirely when he was trying to save face in front of other guys. She’d grown up around enough testosterone to know when to push and when not.

  Wyatt shook Garrett’s hand then her father’s. Before he could turn toward Owen, however, her younger brother started laughing.

  “What the devil has gotten into you?” she asked.

  Garrett gave Owen a slight punch in the upper arm, a big-brother gesture meant to silently tell him to behave.

  “What?” Owen said. “You’ve got to admit it’s funny. I mean, she’s been bringing home injured animals for years, but it’s the first time the stray has been a man.”

  Chloe felt heat rush up her throat to flood her face. She stared hard and narrowed her eyes at her younger brother, letting him know that the first chance she got, he was toast.

  Damn if that didn’t just make him laugh all the harder.

  Chapter Seven

  Wyatt hadn’t felt as trapped as he did now since he was a kid. He was miles away from his truck and escape
, stuck at the home of a doctor who was annoyingly right about him not being 100 percent, and she’d forgotten to mention she still lived with her dad and brothers. To top it all off, one of those brothers was finding Wyatt’s unexpected appearance at their front door hilarious.

  “I can get a motel room in town.” And as soon as he was able to climb into his truck without feeling as if he were going to pass out from the pain and Chloe left him alone, he’d hit the road and not look back.

  “Pay no attention to my idiot brother,” Chloe said.

  “Hey, I take exception to that.” Then her brother turned to Wyatt and extended his hand. “Owen Brody. Don’t mind my sister. She thinks she’s the boss.”

  Wyatt glanced at Chloe, who looked as if she might rip off her brother’s head at any moment. “I noticed.”

  Chloe shifted her gaze to him, her mouth dropping open a little. She glanced at Owen then back to him and shook her head. “You are two pain-in-the-butt peas in a pod.”

  Wyatt made eye contact with Owen. “Does she treat all her patients like this?”

  “Okay, that’s enough picking on me,” she said. “Let’s get you inside.”

  As she made a move to take his arm to help him, he stepped past her and headed for the front steps. No way was he going to look like an invalid in front of her family. He didn’t want them thinking he’d be mooching their hospitality a moment longer than necessary.

  By the time he reached the top of the steps, sweat was running like a river down the middle of his back and his head swam. All his determination to appear on the mend would go straight down the toilet if he ended up passing out and falling backward down the stairs. Knowing his luck, he’d probably break his neck this time.

  To her credit, Chloe didn’t attempt to aid him when she climbed up to his side. She did open the door and hold it for him, but he could believe she’d do that for anyone. But one look at her slightly raised brow told him that she knew exactly how close he was to doubling over.