Chapter Eleven

The universal antiseptic and illness odor of the hospital smacked Grant in the face as he strode through the swinging doors of the Intensive Care Unit waiting room. Frantically, he searched the ravished, tear-strained faces for signs of his family. His heart ached when he spotted his mother huddled in a corner wringing a white hankie in her hands. His youngest sister, Sylvie, rubbed her back, her blonde head bent as she spoke softly. When Grant reached their side, his mother looked up and, with a harsh cry, flung herself into his arms. Holding her tight, Grant was shocked by her frailness. She felt like skin and bones.

His mother sobbed against his chest. He closed his eyes and kissed her head. She smelled like home. His chest filled with sadness that it took his father’s illness to get him back here.

Rose Clark pulled back and he wiped tears from her face. “What did the doctor say?” Grant kept his arm around his mother’s shoulders as he reached his hand out to his younger sister. Sylvie grabbed it, squeezing tight.

“We’re not sure. Red found him.”

Grant led his mother to the hard plastic chairs. “Come on Ma, sit back down. How is Red doing?”

His mother wiped her eyes. “He’s fine. A bit shook up, but you know Red, nothing rattles him for long.”

Grant nodded. Red had been on the ranch since before he was born. The two older men not only worked together but were best friends as well.

His sister, Laura, had her back to the room. She stared out the only window, not bothering to turn around or acknowledge him. He and Laura hadn’t spoken since he made his decision not to return to Oklahoma but rather have his practice in Texas. It was a slap in the face his father had told him and his sister had agreed. Still, he knew this had to be killing her. She and their father were especially close. Her husband, Dave, sat nearby and Grant nodded to him.

“When can I see him?” Grant asked Sylvie’s husband, Mike.

“Only one of us is allowed in every hour for five minutes. You go, we’ve all seen him,” his brother-in-law answered.

Leaving his mother in his sister’s care, he headed down the hall. Although she had warned him about his father’s appearance, Grant was still shocked by the sight of his larger than life father lying motionless. His skin was gray. Grant glanced at the tubes and wires coming out of his father and attached to a variety of machines. The doctor part of him found these comforting rather than invasive.

He took his father’s hand in his. He hadn’t held his father’s hand since he was a child and it struck him that their hands were very similar. His lip trembled and he took a deep breath, fighting back his tears. The older man’s eyelids fluttered and he looked up.

“Hey, Pop.” He tried to smile.

Though Bob Clark didn’t smile back, he turned his hand over until their fingers entwined. Tears spilled down Grant’s cheeks at the small motion. It wasn’t much, but it was huge. It meant that his father was glad to see him. Whatever differences they had, this was his father. He loved and respected him. And he knew his father loved him. He didn’t understand him, but he loved him.

When the nurse made him leave after a few moments, Grant took a minute to collect himself before returning to the family. Once he talked to the doctors, he knew they’d have to make some decisions. It was one of the busiest times of year on the ranch and there was no way they were going to be able to get through this if his father wasn’t there to run the show. Leaving the practice with Beth still away wasn’t a good idea, but there wasn’t any choice. This was his family. He dragged his hand through his hair, torn between his two loyalties.

His family’s ranch was small but held its own. Still, they couldn’t afford to bring in too much extra help. The only ranch hands they had were the few they employed year round, older men who had been with the ranch since Grant was young.

After speaking with his sisters and mother once more in the waiting room, he went outside to make some calls.

The vets in Clear Wind were good about the whole thing and understood when he told them Beth was on her honeymoon. They assured him they would take any emergency calls that came in until he could get back.

Next, he called Charli.

She picked up before the end of the first ring. “Hello?”

“Miss me?” He smiled, picturing her wide smile and bright eyes.

“Doc, what’s going on? How is everything? Of course I miss you.” Her voice sounded worried and he could easily picture her brows puckered over her beautiful eyes.

“So far, all we know is that my father collapsed when he was out riding. They’re running tests as you can imagine.”

“How’s your mom? She has to be scared to death…and your sisters?”

“Mom’s a wreck and so is my younger sister. Laura, is her usual hard ass self.”

“She’s hurting inside, I’m sure of it.”

“Uh huh. I called Clear Winds and they’re going to take all emergency calls and any appointments that can’t wait until I’m back.”

“I rescheduled everything you had on the calendar. Everything is cleared at this end. You don’t have to worry about this.”

He could hear her shifting and wondered where she was but before he could ask she went on.

“What can I do for you and your family?”

Grant grinned in spite of himself. “I know exactly what you could do right now but that ain’t gonna happen.”

Charli laughed. “I owe you. Do you know how hard it was for me to concentrate on a business discussion with Cord when all I could remember was this morning’s breakfast?”

“Oh, that’s where you two went today.”

“What did you think we were doing?”

Grant shook his head. “I didn’t know. I thought maybe he was going to town and you rode along, I don’t know. I was disappointed, but in hindsight it was a good thing. The only thing worse than being dragged away was if I had to leave you in my bed.”

“Hmm, I’m in your bed now, Doc,” she purred.

His body quickened at the tone in her voice and the visual in his head. “Isn’t it a bit early to be going to sleep?”

“I didn’t get a lot of rest this weekend.”

“Whose fault is that? You’re the one who chased me, remember?”

“Are you complaining?”

“Hell, no.” He grinned before immediately sobering. “I’m sorry. I’m going to be stuck here for a while. I don’t even know how long. It could be this week, or two. Hell, it could be a month.”

“You can’t worry about that right now. Everything here is taken care of. You need to focus on your family and forget about all this.”

“Forget about everything?” Was she telling him something? Did she want him to forget about her too?

She laughed. “If you can forget everything, then I wasn’t very good.”

His heart beat returned to normal. “I was thinking that if I’m not there anyway, if you had somewhere else you had to go, I don’t want you to feel you have to mind the office.”

“Are you trying to get me to leave?” her voice sounded teasing, but he heard an undercurrent of something that sounded like hurt.

“No, no way,” he assured her. “I just don’t know what’s going to happen here. I hate to hold you up.”

“Cord and I are going to look into that coffee shop. I think since you don’t need me at the clinic, I’ll focus on that for a while. Don’t worry about me, Doc. I can always find ways to entertain myself.”

“Is that right? Are you planning on entertaining yourself tonight?” He hated the thought of her all alone in his bed and needing release.

“No, Doc. I don’t fly solo. I’ll be here when you get back. If you want,” she added softly.

“Oh, Trouble, I want. I definitely want.” He glanced up to see his oldest sister coming out of the hospital doorway. “I gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow if I can.”

“When you can, Doc, no pressure. I’ll think of you tonight.”

“Me too, Trouble. Me too.”

He shut his phone as Laura reached his side. As always, she looked like she’d just sucked on lemons. Right away, he put his guard up.

“I’m taking Mom back to the ranch for a few hours. Mike left to pick up the girls but Sylvie’s going to stay. “

“I’ll have to ride with you. I didn’t rent a truck or anything.”

Laura nodded. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

Grant glared at her. “Why the hell wouldn’t I come? He’s my father.”

She shrugged. “You’ve always made it clear your life there is far more important.”

“Family is family and this is where I need to be right now. I made arrangements to get someone to take over the practice while I’m here.”

She didn’t say anything else, simply turned on her heel. He had no choice but to follow her.

Way to ruin a good fantasy. He was in a real good place talking with Charli before Laura showed up. He wasn’t a psychiatrist but he knew his sister’s issues with him were more due to his father than himself, but she certainly never made being home pleasant.

****

Unusual butterflies were having a party in Charli’s stomach. After smoothing her hands down her long floral skirt, she raised her hand and rang the doorbell. Taking a step backwards, she drew in a long, deep breath in an attempt to calm her nerves. Was she too bold coming here?

For the past week, she’d barely had much time to talk to Grant. Their phone calls, usually late at night, were brief due to his exhaustion. He’d spend half the day at the hospital and then back on the family ranch getting things ready for round up. He sounded about worn out.

She was about to ring the bell again when the door swung open to a petite blonde woman. A little girl, the lady’s miniature, peeked from behind her legs.

“Yes, may I help you?”

Eyes the same color as Grant’s looked at her with curiosity and Charli fought down the urge to wrap her in a hug of comfort. This had to be Sylvie.

“I’m looking for Grant Clark.” Charli glanced down at the little girl and winked. The blonde hid further behind her mother.

“He’s out on the range. I don’t expect him in for several hours, Miss…?”

“I’m Charli Boyd. I’m a friend of his. He’s not expecting me, but I felt I needed to come.”

She opened the door wider. “Please come in. I’m Grant’s sister, Sylvie, and this is my youngest, Hannah. My brother didn’t mention a girlfriend, but then he doesn’t tell us much about his personal life. Please come on back to the kitchen. I’ve got something on the stove.”

Charli’s heart twisted at his sister’s comment. Grant hadn’t even mentioned her name? Of course, why would he? What would he say? Charli Boyd is the woman I was banging the morning Dad collapsed? That wouldn’t exactly be a good way to be known.

Glancing around the house as they moved down the corridor, Charli felt a sense of comfortable hominess. The furnishings weren’t new but they appeared well cared for. The kitchen was a typical ranch kitchen, large and accommodating with a huge table in the center and several benches and chairs pushed up to it.

The smell that greeted her made her stomach growl. “Chili, it smells great.” She smiled at a second little blonde haired girl who must be Emma.

“Well, it was probably wonderful the first few times but everyone is getting pretty sick of it. I’m not used to cooking for a crowd. My mother usually does most of this and I help her.” Sylvie pressed her hand to her mouth. “Listen to me go on and on. I don’t know where my manners have gone. Please have a seat. Can I get you something cold to drink?”

Charli smiled and shook her head. “I’m not here for you to wait on. I’m here to help. Grant wouldn’t ask me to come and I’m afraid I just took it upon myself to show up.” She folded her hands in front of her. “How’s your father today?”

“He’s better. Actually, they are talking of releasing him this weekend. The heart attack was mild, thankfully. He’s already back to his usual self.” Sylvie twisted her mouth. “Unfortunately.” She motioned to a chair. “Please sit down, you’re a guest.”

Charli shook her head firmly and reached for the apron that lay across one of the seats. Tying it around her waist she said, “I’m here to help, so how about I start with dinner.”

Syvlie’s gaze went from Charli’s expensive leather heels, to her skirt and up to her silk blouse and gold jewelry. Her long hair was held in place by a diamond studded barrette. Charli held her gaze knowing she was trying to figure her out.

“Do you know anything about cooking? No offense, but you look like a runway model.”

She grinned. “I think I can handle a few meals.”

A few hours later, her hair had fallen down, the barrette hastily slipped into the pocket of her stained apron. Her feet were bare and her forehead glistened with sweat, but dinner was bubbling on the stove and several fruit cobblers cooled on the counter while biscuits baked in the oven. She and Sylvie were now the best of friends and she laughed and teased the young girls as if they were her own nieces.

Hearing voices and footsteps in the mudroom, Charli’s smile froze and her gaze flew fearfully to the door.

Grant entered the room and stopped in his tracks. Charli caught the surprise on his face, and then hunger consumed his eyes. Her breath caught and held at the frank desire.

A woman plowed into his back. “Damn it, Grant! What the hell?” The small brunette shoved past him indignantly, then glared at Charli. “Who are you?”

“I’m Charli.” She smiled and held out her hand.

“She’s Uncle Grant’s girlfriend,” Emma chimed in with a grin.

Charli flipped her gaze back to Grant’s. Oh--oh, what would he think of that announcement? She dropped her hands to her apron and smoothed it down. Peeking up at Grant again from under lashes, her toes curled. He looked like she’d never seen him before; sweaty, dirty, a battered Stetson on his head, faded jeans and scuffed boots. She wanted nothing more than to jump him right there in the kitchen. Doc was a hot looking vet, but as a cowboy, he could easily grace the cover of Cowboy Monthly.

His lip curled into a sexy grin as his gaze trailed down the front of her. He moved across the kitchen, ignored his sisters and nieces and headed straight for her. Charli didn’t back up and her smile widened as he snaked one arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him.

He lowered his head and dropped a brief but hard kiss on her mouth. “How’d you know this was my secret fantasy?”

She touched his face and brushed the dirty hair off his forehead. “I had this feeling you needed me here.”

He grinned and she knew he was thinking something he couldn’t say. Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head and pushed at his chest. “You have time for a shower if you want before dinner.”

He laughed and grabbed her hand, pulling her fingers to his mouth. “Is that a hint?”

Laura swept past them, throwing her coat over the back of a chair. She lifted the cover off the Dutch oven on the stove and peeked inside. “Finally, something other than chili.”

Charli continued to hold Grant’s gaze unable to break the connection they shared even as she responded to his sister. “It’s a Mexican chicken dish.”

“You cooked this?” The woman who had to be his sister Laura asked incredulously.

With a sigh, Charli turned towards the stove. “Yes, I did. Sylvie went up to the hospital to bring your mother back. She said Doc, I mean, Grant, could take her back up later this evening.”

“She left you here with the girls?”

“She took Hannah with her. Emma asked to stay.” Charli’s smiled at the little girl. “She helped me with dinner.”

Laura snorted and swept her gaze over Charli once more before dismissing her with a turn of her head. “I’m going to take a shower. Let’s go, Dave.”

Charli watched a large cowboy follow her down the hall and surmised that he must be her husband, Dave. She hadn’t even noticed him before.

Grant removed his hat and set it on a peg on the wall. “Emma, can you go watch TV in the other room while Uncle Grant talks with the pretty lady?”

Charli watched the little girl skip out of the room and soon a cartoon could be heard from the family room.

She wasn’t sure what to say to him. He looked happy to see her, but was she overstepping by coming to his family’s home without him inviting her?

Too nervous to stand still she moved to the stove and checked dinner even though she’d already checked it before Grant arrived. Next to her, she could hear him turn the sink water on. A sly glance to the side revealed him washing up. As his hands rubbed over each other, scrubbing the soap in thoroughly, she couldn’t help but remember the morning of their last shower, the way the soap had lathered in his hands and then on her body as he washed her. She bit her lip as desire sprang to life in the pit of her stomach. When he shut the water off, she handed him a towel.

“You look awfully sexy in that cowboy get up, Doc. I could get used to this look.”

He wiped his face. “Considering I hate ranching, chasing calves, and playing cowboy, and yet it’s all I’ve been doing for the past three days straight. Trust me, do not get used to this look. I can’t wait to get back to real life. How’s things at ho—at the Double B?”

Charli caught his correction. He thought of the Double B as home, not his family’s ranch. Odd. “Quiet. Everyone’s doing their thing and, as you said, without an office to take care of, I was getting bored.”

He leaned against the counter and pulled her around to face him until she stood between his legs. His hands brushed up her bare arms and she trembled at his touch.

“You being bored is just asking for trouble.” He quirked one eyebrow and tugged until she fell against his chest.

Grant nibbled at her neck and his hand slid up to rest just below her breast. Charli closed her eyes, inhaling the fresh male scent of him.

“Cord and I talked coffee shop for a while, but he’s busy with round-up too.” She swallowed hard as his fingers brushed across her erect nipple. His erection pressed insistently between her thighs.

“I missed you,” he muttered. “A week ago, I would have thought being away from you would be the best thing to happen, but this week without you has been hell.”

Charli pulled back to stare at him. “You’re not mad I showed up unannounced?”

He smoothed her hair down her back and brushed a kiss across her mouth. “Hell, no. I would never in a million years have invited you to this nightmare, but I can’t tell you how glad I am you’re here.”

He kissed her again. Just when her head was spinning and she was breathless from his embrace, he pulled back.

“I’m going to get a shower. I won’t be long. I’d love for you to go with me, but...”

She shook her head. “I’ll finish up here so dinner’s ready when your mom gets back.”

****

Feeling fuller and more content than he had a week, Grant leaned back in his chair. He watched his family interact with Charli, amazed at how easily she’d slipped into their life. His mother seemed completely enchanted by her. She and Charli talked together as if they’d known one another for a life time. She had such an easy friendliness about her, even his two nieces wanted to be with her.

He’d particularly noticed that his two brother-in-laws were entranced. As happy as he knew Sylvie was with her husband, he knew Mike could appreciate a good looking woman when he saw one. For Dave’s sake, well, it was the first time he’d seen the other man look interested in anything. A rare smile split his features and he even had seconds of the dinner.

Of course, not everyone was impressed. Ever the witch, Laura glared through dinner and questioned Charli about whatever she could come up with in an attempt to trip the other woman up. Not that there was any concern about Charli; she could hold her own in a match of wits against his bitchy older sister.

After dinner, his mother excused herself to lie down for a bit. His sisters and Charli cleared the table while the men drank coffee and ate cobbler.

When he’d tried to help, Charli had pushed him back to his chair. “You need to rest too, Doc. You’ve been working way too hard.”

Her wink told him she wanted him rested up for another reason entirely. His pulse quickened with the thought of having her again.

“Grant?” Mike snapped his fingers in front of his eyes. Leaning his chair back on two legs, he grinned. “Something’s got you awfully distracted.”

Dave smirked.

“What were you saying about the north pasture?” Grant asked, ignoring their grins.

A second plate of dessert slid in front of him and a soft hand rested on his shoulder. Grant’s body relaxed instantly under her touch. Such a simple gesture, but it seemed incredibly intimate. His heart rate increased as her spicy perfume drifted to his nostrils, bringing back memories of their nights together. Lifting his hand, he covered hers and squeezed. The conversation continued around him about water shortages, but the silkiness of her skin made him feel like a school boy again. It was everything he could do to stay in his chair and not haul her away.

Charli joined in the conversation, explaining the water situation on her father’s ranch. Grant noted even Laura listened. Charli slid into the chair next to him and moved her hand to rest on his thigh. He swallowed hard as she caressed his leg absently as she talked about drought conditions and irrigation.

“I never would have imagined you were a rancher’s daughter,” Sylvie laughed. “I mean, like I told you this morning, you look like a model.”

Charli brushed back her hair. “Well, I was raised on a ranch, but I have to admit, it’s not my first love. I’m a chef.”

Grant slid his hand to the back of her chair and tangled his fingers in her hair. “Charli’s worked in Europe and is thinking of opening a coffee shop in Sweet Meadow.”

“That sounds so nice! What kind of coffee shop? Those fancy kinds like in the big cities or more of a diner type?” Sylvie asked.

Charli shrugged and sipped the cup of coffee in front of her. “I haven’t really decided. I think I’d like to do somewhere in between. You know, offer a choice for those that like fancy, expensive coffees, but make sure I can brew a regular strong cup for all the cowboys.”

“I have no doubt you’ll have a steady stream of cowboys as customers,” Mike commented.

Sylvie poked him even as she laughed. “What my husband means is, he’s sure you’ll do great. Your cooking is fabulous.”

“Anything would taste better than chili,” Laura groused. She dumped another load of dishes in the sink.

Grant glanced at Sylvie and saw pink tinge her cheeks. Laura was brutal in her comments even though he knew Sylvie had tried as hard as she could this past week. “I like chili,” he offered. “I think Sylvie makes the best chili around.” He winked at his younger sister. She shook her head as if to tell him don’t worry about it.

“Well, I’m more than happy to help out in the kitchen,” Charli interjected. “I didn’t come here to be a houseguest. I’m here to work.”

Laura leaned her hip against the counter, her arms folded across her chest. “We could use more butts in saddles is what we could use.”

“I can do that too. I told you I know my way around a round-up. Wherever you need me.” She answered Laura but glanced to Grant.

That’s all he needed was the redheaded beauty out on horseback distracting the workers. “Actually, if you don’t mind cooking, that would be great. I know Mom would appreciate having Sylvie at the hospital. Once Dad comes home, she’ll need all her energy to keep him from getting back to work.”

Sylvie cleared the rest of the dishes from the table. Laura shifted away from the counter but didn’t move to help. Her husband Dave stood up and brought his dessert plate to the sink. “Thanks for dinner,” he said quietly to Charli, who smiled.

Laura dropped her arms. “We’re going back into the hospital with Ma. We’ll be back in a couple hours.” Without another word, her husband followed her out of the kitchen.

Sylvie loaded the dishwasher as Charli moved to stand next to her and help her finish up.

His sister dried her hands on a towel. “Mike, will you get the girls for me while I tell Ma goodnight. I want to get them home for a bath and bed.”

A little over an hour later, the house was quiet. Sylvie and Mike had gone home with their daughters, Laura and Dave had driven his mother back into the hospital and Charli had gone upstairs to change her clothes. While Grant wanted to help her, he knew they’d never leave the bedroom if he did. Sylvie had set her up in her old bedroom which conveniently was linked by a joint bathroom to his own. Fortunately, for privacy sake, Laura and Dave had their own separate quarters at the other end of the house.

He leaned against the fireplace mantle and sipped his after dinner drink. When she breezed into the room, he couldn’t stop staring. Dressed in a white, button-down, short sleeve blouse and jeans, her long hair flowing around her shoulders and her feet bare, she looked like the best thing he’d seen in days.

Charli smiled and moved towards him. “This room is lovely, but then, so is the entire house. I felt at home the minute I stepped through the door.”

“I haven’t felt at home here since I left.”

She reached his side, took the whiskey tumbler from his hand and sipped it. “My, my Doc, you’re drink tastes have changed.”

He took the glass back from her. “The taste reminds me of someone.”

“Why don’t you try the real thing?” Her voice was husky and her tongue darted out to wet her lips.

Grant leaned forward. Her eyes fluttered closed before he captured her lips with his own. Arms slipped around his waist and he reached behind her to set his drink on the fireplace mantle. He pulled her into his arms tighter as his tongue swept through her parted lips. She tasted like the whiskey she’d just sipped and his pulse quickened as it brought back vivid images of their weekend together.

Grant wanted to devour her, to take her to his room and make love to her until morning. He couldn’t believe it’d been weeks already since he’d spent the night with her.

Charli’s hands glided down his back to cup his bottom and squeeze firmly. She pressed her softness against him, which only made him harder. His hands were restless, spanning her waist, cupping her breasts and combing past her hips. He couldn’t touch her enough, couldn’t stop wanting to hold her.

He tore his mouth from hers and buried his lips in her shoulder. “I missed you, Trouble.”

She arched into him as he kissed his way to the open neckline of her blouse. Impatiently, he pushed the buttons open until the material hung wide and he could look at her. The lace of her bra allowed her pink nipples to peek at him from behind their covering. He brushed his thumb across them and she whimpered in his arms.

“Doc?” she whispered.

“Yes?”

“How long do you think your family will be gone?”

He bent at the waist and scooped her up into his arms. “Long enough to go flying with you.”

Grant strode from the room and took the stairs two at a time until he reached his bedroom. Only when he had her writhing underneath him in his childhood bed did he feel as if he could put the last couple weeks of hell out of his mind. In her arms, nothing mattered except pleasing her and being completely satisfied in return.

****

The sun was coming up and Charli sighed at the gorgeous view out the kitchen window before turning back to the stove. Not that long ago, if someone had told her she’d be up at this hour cooking biscuits and gravy in Oklahoma, she’d have laughed herself silly.

But here she was. The back door opened and she smiled as Sylvie slipped through it quietly.

“I told you, you didn’t have to come over here to help every morning. Why don’t you sleep in or something?” She poured the other woman a cup of coffee and handed it to her.

Sylvie took a sip. “What for? Gotta start the day sometime, might as well be now.”

“You could enjoy an extra hour alongside your hubby. Maybe wake him up and have some alone time if you know what I mean.” Charli grinned as she browned the sausage for the gravy.

“There’s a five year old in our bed. It wouldn’t do me any good to wake him up,” Sylvie complained as she pulled the juice from the refrigerator.

“Why don’t you wake him up and go somewhere with him? The hayloft or something?”

Sylvie giggled. “I never thought of that. We haven’t necked in the hayloft since we were teenagers.”

Charli wiggled her eyebrows at the other woman as Grant strolled in.

Even though she’d been with him all night, her heart still sped up at the sight of him. She loved his morning look, rumpled and grouchy. He flopped into the chair at the head of the table and yawned.

She moved towards him with his coffee and some biscuits. “Have some coffee, Doc.”

“Someone looks like he isn’t getting much sleep at night,” Sylvie teased as she brought her brother a plate of scrambled eggs.

Charli set a glass of orange juice on the table.

Grant snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to his lap. “I can’t let this pretty lady down, she might leave me for some fancy doctor or something.” He nibbled at her neck.

Charli wrapped her arm around his neck and laughed. His hand slid to her bare thigh where her robe had parted.

“That’s just beautiful. Just what I want to see this early in the morning, you two groping each other,” Laura complained as she entered the kitchen.

Grant immediately stiffened and Charli rubbed his shoulder reassuringly.

“Come on, Laura, tell me you never sat on Dave’s lap before.” Sylvie set a plate of wheat toast in front of her sister.

“I’ve never sat on a man’s lap and certainly not at breakfast.” She snatched the newspaper and spread it open in front of her.

Charli slid off Grant’s lap. “Maybe that’s your problem.”

“What did you say?” Laura’s hand froze over the paper.

She turned wide, innocent eyes on the older woman. “I said, maybe that’s why you’re so crabby, because you’ve forgotten to have fun with your husband.” She slid the other woman’s breakfast onto a plate and, with a smile, set it in front of her.

Sylvie smirked and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Grant chuckled. “She’s got you there, Laura,” he couldn’t help but comment.

“Some of us have work to do,” Laura scoffed as she tucked into her food. “Where’s Dave anyway? I thought he was down here.”

“Maybe he’s out having fun for once.” Grant’s remark garnered him a furious glare from his sister.

Charli grinned. Only a month ago, Grant thought there was no time for fun. Was she changing his mind this drastically?

The foreman, Red, appeared at the back door and Charli handed him the tray of biscuits and large bowl of gravy. Dave soon appeared. Dirt stained the front of his jeans and his hat was matted down with sweat.

She felt bad for the large, gentle man so she smiled. He reddened and glanced at his wife, then slid into a chair. Charli set his breakfast in front of him. He muttered his thanks and looked out of the corner of his eye at Laura once more.

“Where were you?” his wife demanded.

His cheeks’ reddened at her snarling tone. “I was working on the bridle that broke yesterday.”

Charli watched Laura’s eyes narrow, but the other woman went back to eating. Charli bit her tongue not to interfere in something that wasn’t her business. Never in all her life had she met such a nasty woman.

“Why don’t I come out and help you on the range today,” Charli said to Grant as he scraped back his chair and carried his plate to the dishwasher.

“It’s up to you. You don’t have to, you know.”

“Your mom will be at the hospital all day and Sylvie said she’s taking the girls to a birthday party. I figured the house is in good shape, why not ride with you?” She brushed toast crumbs off his lip and he kissed her finger.

“No way is that fashion plate coming out on the range,” Laura protested. “All I need is the men watching her instead of working. Besides, that perfect skin of hers will burn and then she’ll just be someone else we have to take care of.”

Charli stared at her. Laura was a lot like Sara. It was something she’d noticed right away upon meeting the other woman. But whereas Sara could be tough as nails and mean as a rattlesnake if crossed, most of the time she was easy going. She had a soft side that her family and friends recognized. There simply wasn’t anything soft or kind to be found in Laura.

Grant went on as if Laura hadn’t said anything. “I’ll saddle you a horse. Did you bring your hat?”

She nodded, then, knowing it would send his sister into fits, she linked her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. Opening her mouth, she kissed him passionately, cupping his jean clad backside in her hands. When the back door slammed shut they broke apart.

Grant dropped a kiss on her nose. “She’s always been like that. I try to ignore her.”

Charli narrowed her eyes. “That girl needs to get la—”

He captured her lips again before she could finish her sentence. She giggled against his mouth.

“Good morning, you two love birds.” Rose Clark moved past them to the coffeepot.

“Rose, what can I get you for breakfast?” Charli asked, stepping out of Grant’s embrace.

“Oh, Charli, that’s so sweet, but don’t wait on me. I’m fine. You’ve been so good to help us out here. Once I get Bob back home, I’ll take over the cooking again and you can relax and enjoy your time here.” She patted Charli’s arm as she walked to the table.

“I’m enjoying it. I get to spend time with Grant and stay in your lovely home.”

Her gaze landed on Grant and she smiled at the warmth in his eyes. The time they’d spent together here at his family’s home had changed their relationship in a way that probably just working together in the clinic would never have done. It was an easy going type of companionship with the added benefit of intense passion every night.

“The doctor said Dad might be home by the weekend?” Grant asked his mother.

Charli slid a plate of fresh fruit and toast in front of his mother anyway.

Rose nodded to her son. “Yes, if he agrees to take it easy. But you know your father.”

Charli turned to face Rose. “Unless you need me here today, I think I’ll ride with Grant.”

“I used to ride with Bob when we were younger.” His mother’s voice sounded wistful as if remembering happier days. “You enjoy yourself, Charli. I’m going to read the paper and have a quiet cup of coffee before getting a shower. Sylvie mentioned dropping me off on her way to town, but that’s not for a few more hours.”

Grant dropped a kiss on his mother’s cheek. “Have a good day. I think I’ll take Charli up to the hospital tonight so, if you want to take a night off and stay at home, we’ll be there.”

Charli’s eyebrow rose. Hmm, that was a first. He hadn’t mentioned taking her to meet his father before. All she knew of Bob Clark was that he didn’t approve of Grant working as a vet in Texas. She pictured a male version of his daughter Laura and had to admit, she wasn’t looking forward to it.