Page 69 of Cowboy Magic

“No, we are not. We’re going to have a very serious conversation.”

“About what?”

“About ladders, expectations, and rules.”

“What do ladders, expectations, and rules have in common?”

“More than you’d think.” He dragged the armchair over into the middle of the room and pointed at it. “Sit.”

She sat, watching him as he paced back and forth, his hands behind his back.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Pacing. It helps me think.”

“Maybe you should sit down if you’re not well.”

“I feel fine,” he told her.

“Are you sure? You seem a bit cranky.”

“I’m not cranky.” He stilled and turned to her. “You were up a ladder.”

“Um, yep.”

“Up a ladder, cleaning out gutters.”

“Yes, I was. It’s meant to rain tomorrow.”

“Right. Which is why I was going to come back early today and clear them.”

“Oh, well, I’m saving you a job. That’s good, isn’t it?” She smiled.

He didn’t return her smile.

Uh-oh.

“No, baby girl. It’s not good. It’s not good at all.”

“Why not? Did I do it wrong?” she asked.

“It’s wrong because you shouldn’t be up a ladder at all.”

“Why not?” she asked, getting confused.

“Because you could fall and hurt yourself.”

“I think the odds of that are low. I mean, I could trip over a loose decking board and hurt myself, too.”

Instead of seeing her reason, he just scowled. “Take off your pants.”

“What? I thought we weren’t having sex.”

“We’re not. I want to see your knees.”

“Why would you want to see . . . oh my God! Grandpa Jack is the biggest tattletale! He told you that I fell over as well as telling you that I was up that ladder.”

“And just as well he did,” he said sternly. “Otherwise, I’d have no idea about any of this. If you get hurt, you need to tell me. Let me see.”