Free The Rough and Ready Rancher by Kathie DeNosky

have you put him to bed.”
    Flint sat down beside her. “I’m sorry it took so long, but Jim had to have his leg pinned. Since he doesn’t have family around here, Whiskers and I waited until he came out of surgery.” He shrugged. “It just didn’t seem right to leave him alone.”
    She nodded. “You did the right thing. It’s awfully frightening to lie in a hospital bed and know there’s not a soul around who cares what happens to you.”
    Flint gave her a sideways glance, but she stared straight ahead. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she hadn’t spoken from experience.
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œI came down with pneumonia after a case of flu and had to be hospitalized.”
    â€œWhat about your brother? Why wasn’t he with you?”
    She sighed. “As always, Cooper was off at some rodeo. I had no idea where he was or how to get in touch with him.”
    He knew it wasn’t any of his business, but dammit Flint didn’t like the thought of Jenna being sick and all alone. “Couldn’t you have contacted your parents?”
    She shook her head. “Daddy had an accident.” She paused to take a deep breath. “He never fully recovered. He passed away a year later. That was long before my stay in the hospital.”
    â€œAnd your mother?” Flint could tell talking about her past had dragged up some very painful memories.
    â€œMomma—” her voice cracked “—she was gone, too.”
    Flint put his arm around her and drew her to his side. When she started to pull away, he held her close. He told himself he was only offering comfort, lending her his strength. But the feel of her tucked against his side, the herbal smell of her recently washed hair, soon had him admitting that he’d been looking for an excuse to hold her again, just waiting for the time when he could take her in his arms.
    â€œI guess we’d better get to bed,” Jenna said, taking a shuddering breath.
    Flint swallowed hard. “What?”
    â€œIt’s late. We need to get some sleep.” She handed Ryan over to him, then rose from the swing. “After I’ve finished with Satin tomorrow, I’ll talk to Brad and find out where he needs me to work.”
    Confused, Flint stared up at her. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œWith Jim in the hospital, you’re a man short.” Sheshrugged. “I can’t think of one good reason why I shouldn’t help take up some of the slack.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” she said frowning. “You can use the help. And I don’t mind at all.”
    The idea of her doing hard physical labor, didn’t sit well. “I said no.”
    â€œAnd why not?” She propped her hands on her hips. “I’m perfectly capable of moving cattle, riding fence and checking water holes.”
    Flint came to his feet. “It’s hot, dirty work.”
    She arched a brow. “And training horses isn’t?”
    He knew by the look on her face, that she thought she had him. But he wasn’t going down without a fight.
    â€œIt’s not part of your contract.”
    â€œNeither was cleaning up after a skunk. But that didn’t seem to bother you.”
    Ryan squirmed at the sound of the raised voices, causing Flint to whisper, “We’ll discuss this in the morning.”
    She threw up her hands as she brushed past him. “Fine!”
    â€œWe’ll see how fine tomorrow morning,” Flint muttered when the screen door slammed shut behind her.
    The possibility that Jenna could suffer an injury similar to Jim’s just about turned Flint wrong side out. There was no way he’d ever let that happen if it was within his power to prevent it.

Five
    â€œG ive it up, Jenna. It’s not going to happen,” Flint said as he glared at the woman seated across the desk from him. She had presented