Page 132 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“I am happy. Or I will be as soon as I get the okay to drive again.”

Coop sighed. “You can barely walk.”

Jared glared at his brother. “I’m walking just fine.”

“You know what I think?” Lauren squeezed his hand. “I think that Bella may have been sent here, especially for you. Maybe your angel’s not through saving your life.”

“It sure was a blessing you were driving down that road that night,” Cooper said after forking a piece of chicken into his mouth. “Where were you coming from, Bella? I don’t think I’ve ever asked.”

Bella dabbed at Sienna’s mouth. The baby sat beside her in the dining room on a makeshift booster chair she’d concocted from a square pillow covered with a towel. The juice from the chipotle peach dressing was dripping down the baby’s chin. Her peach chicken dish was messy, but also very delicious. All three of the Stones had already praised the meal. “My friend Amy and I had taken Sienna to the Winter Wonderland festival off Highway 12. We stopped for a late dinner and Sienna had fallen asleep as soon as she got into the car.”

“Your lucky day,” Lauren said to Jared.

“I’m not disagreeing,” he replied, darting a glance at Bella, the gratitude in his eyes making her a bit uncomfortable. Or was it the heat she saw there that flustered her so much?

“How did Sienna like the festival?” Lauren asked. “She’s what? Two years old?”

“A bit younger. She’s twenty-two months and I think she liked all the colors and seeing Santa’s reindeers. She kept calling them horsies.”

“We’ll have to remedy that,” Jared said. “Tomorrow, I’ll show her the stables. She can see our string of horses.”

Bella blinked and bit her lip.

“Are you up for that?” Cooper blurted.

Jared’s lips twisted and blood rushed to his face. Bella was glad she hadn’t said anything. You’d think by the look on Jared’s face his brother had emasculated him with that question. Clearly, Jared didn’t like limitations of any sort.

“Hey, before you two get into a pissing match—Whoops, sorry, Sienna,” Lauren said, turning an apologetic eye to Bella.

She nodded. “It’s okay, she didn’t hear you.”

Lauren went on, “Before you two go at each other, remember that walking is a good form of exercise and if Jared is feeling up to it, he should do it.”

“Thank you, Nurse Lauren,” Jared said, giving his brother the stink-eye. “I’m feeling much better every day.”

“Glad to hear it,” Cooper said.

“Your brother is concerned about you, Jared.” Lauren spoke in a conciliatory tone. “You’re his baby brother. So will you cut him some slack please...for me?”

Jared looked at Lauren and relented. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m just anxious to get back to my life.”

“You will, in time. The Stone men aren’t known to be patient,” Lauren said to Bella. “But they are smart.”

“Got that right,” Cooper and Jared said in unison.

Everyone laughed and that was that. Immediately the tension in the room disappeared.

“So then, Jared, I suppose we’re still on for our annual Christmas party. It’s a week away and coming up fast. We didn’t want to bring it up until we were sure of your recovery. We can host it this year.”

Jared blinked as if he’d forgotten all about Christmas. A few seconds passed, Jared deep in thought. “No, I’ll host it,” he said unequivocally. “It’s my turn.”

“Are you sure? We don’t mind,” Lauren said and then turned to Bella. “The Stones always throw a holiday party for their crew. Family and close friends are invited, too.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Jared replied. “You’re pregnant and don’t need the added work. I’ll have the house ready, don’t worry.”

“That means a tree, and ornaments and decorations, not to mention food,” Cooper said.

Jared eyed his brother. “I got it covered.”